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Moderate Priced Integrated Amp

I live in a retirement community and a musician neighbor/friend has requested my assistance in putting together a high value, high performance stereo system to accommodate his tastes in classical (primarily) and jazz music. I am seeking advice since for the past 45 years I have lived in the high-end world. The centerpiece of this system would be a moderately priced solid-state integrated amplifier (or possibly a receiver) at a cost of under $1,000 (and preferably under $700). Purchasing used from a reliable seller is no problem. The listening room is small (as befits a retirement community) and the speakers we select will probably be in the 89db efficiency range. Neutrality, absence of coloration and tonal accuracy are definite requirements, as is reliability. My preliminary research has uncovered such brands as Outlaw Audio, many Cambridge products, Rega, Arcam and Music Hall among others. Further suggestions and bits of wisdom would be most welcome. Thank you for your time and patience.
drtmth58
ddd1
261 posts
 
If listening to AM/FM is a requirement, I would go for one of these if he has enough room for it:

http://www.jr.com/harman-kardon/pe/HK_3490/

They are dirt cheap, reliable, abundant repair facilities, will drive virtually any speaker he would ever own and sound musical, comes with a remote...I don't think you will get all these qualities in another new receiver (or even a new integrated) for that price, although you might be able to get higher resolution at the expense of something else. Otherwise go for a NAD integrated.
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knownothing
1,571 posts
 
Drtmth58,

These are all good choices, kind of depends on your friend's preferences.

New:

Cambridge Audio Azur 650A - very lively sounding, good PRAT for this price range, good power

NAD C-355BEE - neutral to slightly laid back sounding, good bass

Music Hall A25.2 - sounds pretty good, a little warmer than the Cambridge but not as warm as the NAD, less resolving than either. The new 50.2 is more powerful, better sounding, phono preamp, but a touch over the 1K price barrier

Rega Brio - less power than the Cambridge or the NAD, but a really nice sounding little amp with phono inputs (an all Rega system with their RS1 speakers and Apollo CD player and/or P3 turntable would be hard to beat for the money). Mira amp is better, but also more expensive - maybe used...

Marantz PM 8003 - another nice amp on the warmish side of neutral.

Used:

Naim Nait 5i - wonderful amp, lots of PRAT, super musical for solid state but perhaps not the first choice for classical music

Primare - yes, these are also wonderful, more neutral than the Naim and more power reserve
nolitan
865 posts
 
Nad s are always a good value for $ int amps.
coverto
44 posts
 
There's an Exposure 2010S integrated for sale here that might fit the bill very nicely (no affiliation with the seller).
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