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college kid needs help with budget amps

I'm wanting to move to seperates and i'm on a limited budget. Which would be a better choice: a older-model, used adcom amp and pre amp, such as the GFA 535 and the GTP- 400, or a used/new but late model integrades models from NAD, cambridge audio, or marantz. Or give me your own suggestions for under $500. Also i have klipsch speakers and listen to mostly rock. I'm considering new speakers too, which amp will give me a good start. thanks
128x128yamski
ariel
3 posts
 
i have to echo praise for NAD. i'm a college student myself and got a used c340 for $300 about a month ago. it's all i could've asked for for the money
audiokinesis
2,728 posts
 
I personally prefer Arcam to NAD, in a budget solid state integrated. I have owned both, and the NAD is a bit grainy in comparison. The brand I chose to sell in this price range is JoLida, which I think has some very musical offerings - erring on the side of warm and smooth.
photon46
1,076 posts
 
Another good budget preamp that is worth considering is the Cambridge Audio C500. Audio Advisor has them as demo units often. I used one for about a year and was very favorably impressed with it's price/performance ratio. Very musical sounding. If you are interested, go to AudioReview.com and look this one up in the preamp section. The Parasound p/hp 850 is another budget pre worth investigating.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Lots of good suggestions here. NAD, Creek, Cambridge. I would also add that you should investigate a used(pre Y2K) Musical Fidelity integrated, and consider David99's Jolida suggestion. Either the 502 or 302 would be fantastic. And your friends will be stunned by the great sound and cool retro tubes. I like the 302 series better, due to my love for the EL34 sound. But, I am sure you can find something to fall in love with
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I also use to own a Cambridge C500 Preamp with the added phono. For $259 brand new ($319 with phono) it is hard to beat at that price. I did not find anything better until I went over a $1000.
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