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Best Integrated or Power Amp Under $1K?

My 48 year old Dynaco Stereo 70 is seriously in need of another rebuild and I'm not sure if I'm up to it. Instead I might go for something more reliable, probably (but not necessarily) solid state.

Here's my 2-channel system (modest by most of your standards I'm sure!)...

- Musical Fidelity A3 CD
- Antique Sound Labs Passive TIDT (autoformer based passive 'preamp')
- Dynaco Stero 70 (Curcio mods)
- Meadowlark Kestrels

So what Integrated Amp or Power Amp under $1K should I be looking at? (If a Power Amp, it would have to work well with the passive autoformer 'pre-amp'.) TIA!

---VikeBoy
vikeboy
rrog
1,958 posts
 
After owning a Stereo 70 w/ Curcio mods I doubt you would be happy with solid state. You may want to try a Manley Stingray. It should sound great with your Kestrels.
timlub
2,039 posts
 
Depends on budget and your taste, but at an easy budget, the Musical Fidelity A3CR is very nice and a steal. Usually around $600.00 these days. If your taste are more toward big power and forward sounding, The Dussun V6i.
If the funds Permit, The Coda Integrateds are great.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,566 posts
 
For under $1K it will be difficult to find something equal to your Curcio 70 that won't require a refurbishing in the next 4-5 years (or sooner).

You might considering paying a tech to redo your 70. What does it need other than lytics?

You could purchase a recently rebuilt 70 (the normal looking ones go for around $600) and sell yours as an offset.

This would leave you plenty left over for better tubes, a bigger Turkey...

If you just want a change look into used Quicksilver mono block amps (many come up for under $1K/pair), but depending upon age/condition they may soon require new caps as well.
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