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New Pre or Integrated for 2nd system, thoughts?

Looking to create a 2nd system inexpensively (max $500, new or used) in vacation home. Speakers are old but functional Thiel 1.2s, late 80s vintage NAD CDP and B&K ST 202. The B&K has 150 watts into 8 ohms but does not double down. The Thiels are a 4 ohm speaker which like high current. Pre has died. Not an absolute requirement but a remote would be nice. So the question is to go with a new Pre or Integrated? Would appreciate suggestions on which way to go and recommended gear. Thanks!
dokosan
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 
I have owned the Onkyo A-9555 and recommend it highly. It's a beast with a huge transformer and lots of reserve power. It's better built and better sounding than any of the NAD, Cambridge or Rotel gear I've owned at anywhere near the price.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Get the Onkyo. My experience matches Sfar. I've had mine for 6 mos. I like it better than most British integrateds up to around $1500, and certainly like it better than anything available under $1K. It has a very low noise floor and lots of transparency and speed for the money, while managing to sound warm and cohesive. It doubles its rated power into 4 ohms, and sounds bigger than its rating because of its incredible instantaneous current delivery (up to 80 amps). Nice ergonomic remote, silky smooth controls, heavy build quality.

Give it 100 hrs to run in, put a good aftermarket AC cord on it, and make sure you have your speaker cables terminated with bananas at the amp end. And leave it on all the time. It's only drawing about 1/4 watt per hour in standby and it makes a big difference on how nice it sounds when it's playing.
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Just wondering if the Dreded Scott company ever made an integrated?
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