mid fi choices NAD vs Adcom vs Rotel ... $400

Fivefast

Agree with Bokfudo. NAD makes exceptional stuff. I have a 3020-based amp that has been problem free for 20 years.

Here are some systems that sound fantastic on a budget. I have built these for my children, auditioned them or I own them.

Digital:

iPod with a Blue Sky Audio EXO--$300. Dynamic and slays anything at this price. Available through Guitar Center.

iPod with Audioengine 2s--$200

CDs:

Entry amp:

Cambridge 340 A ($200)

or

Mid-fi amp:

NAD C372 Amp ($800)

Matched to:

Efficient speakers:

1) Paradigm Atoms Speakers ($200)
2) DALI Lector 1s ($400)
3) Skiing Ninja Mods of AV123 ($900)

CD Player:

Sony Playstation 1 $40
Oppo 980 $169
NAD 525 $300

Vinyl:

Rega P1 tt ($400)
Bellari 129 phono stage ($250)

Vincent

I replaced a adcom 545ii I think, with a Rotel 981. They are both gone now, but I liked the Rotel better. I found it warmer, and I liked how it brought the vocals forward, compared to the adcom. I was using Epos m12.2 speakers at the time.

Right now Audio Advisor has the Cambridge 640A v2 on sale/closeout for $399.99, and you can get the factory-refreshed Onkyo A-9555 from Accessories4less with a 1-year warranty, also for $399.99. Deals on the Onkyo are drying up fast and accessories4less is running low on stock.

These two are definitely on the short list for sub-$1K integrateds. The Onkyo is competitive at its list price of $799, but sells most places for $699. At $400 or $500 it's just killer, incredibly clean, dynamic, and powerful sounding. It requires about 100 hrs of break-in.

The Cambridge is line stage only, but has preamp outputs. The Onkyo has a good built-in phono stage, but no pre-outs. I like them both but have a personal preference for the Onkyo.

I have been an audio enthusiast for 40 years and have owned a lot of vintage and used gear, and sold new and used retail in the '70s. But the Onkyo has shifted my paradigm: I'd now rather have the Onkyo A-9555 (which I do) than any used $400-500 amp that I can think of. I like it better than anything near the price, new or used, from Parasound or Adcom.

NAD, its like the McIntosh for the masses.