2. amps-preamps
  3. 1290657706

Man between two eras

Bit of a conundrum, Newer technology or vintage? I need something that will last a long while before upgrading. Will be buying used and don’t mind having a vintage amp serviced/cleaned, caps replace and so on. Must have phono as well. Taking this all in to consideration my budget is $500.00 to $900.00. Listing area is a loft (small area but like high volume at times). I would prefer a unit on just the slightly warm side, not to dry or analytical. Driving some refurbished Dynaco a25 speakers may change at a later date. Flexibility is good.

Looking for a receiver or an integrated amp. I am considering the following:

Rega
Musical Fidelity
Bryston
Arcam

Vintage
Yamaha
Pioneer
Marantz
Sansui

Thanks for the input,
Happy Thanksgiving!
musicrover
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Go new, and look into the accessories4less site as they run many closeout items at good prices and they are an authorized dealer for many lines. I've been happy with the purchases I have made their.
scorchin34
2 posts
 
Running a Marantz Model 1250, cooking a set of PSB Avantes which are equally vintage, using a Sherwood which is a re-badged Philips CDM2 swing drive as a source in my Gamma system, couldn't be happier with it's sweet relaxed sound. Try to go with either Marantz or Yamaha, both are best bets, Sansui and Pioneer are nice but in my experience those 2 brands can be hit and miss, Marantz & Yamaha have a proven consistency record over the decades. Good luck and enjoy your music in good health.

Peace,
Preston
musicrover OP
56 posts
 
Added info on equipment I am looking at:

Used

Rega Brio or mira
Musical Fidelity A300
Bryston Not sure
Arcam FMJ 22 ?

Vintage
Yamaha CR 2040
Pioneer SX 980 and above
Marantz not sure
Sansui AU 717, 919
rrog
1,958 posts
 
From your list it looks like you already did your homework. Now all you have to do is start buying and try them out.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Musicrover,

I own a Bryston B60 and highly recommend it. Prices on them vary widely due to age and options. Bryston stuff lasts forever, and they can fix anything they've ever built for a very good price. They can also upgrade/update a lot of their stuff. My B60 is a late '99 model, and Bryston Canada updated it to the current SST model for $120. Bryston USA couldn't do this for some reason or another. I have an internal phono stage in mine and it sounds fantastic. They can retro fit one for either $350 or $500 (not sure as mine had it when I bought it).

Another great integrated that sells for a great price here is the Naim Nait 5i. Naim USA is also a great group to deal with, and they can fix just about anything. I'd have bought a Nait 5i if I didn't come across my B60 for the right price from the right person. Nait 5is don't have internal phono stages, so you'd need an external one. There are a ton of external phono stages out there for great prices. Off the top of my head, the Simaudio LP3 sells for $350 new at Music Direct, and the Dynavector P-75 usually sells for under $500 if my memory serves me right. Both are excellent for the money.

I've heard pretty much all the current integrateds you mention, and it's obvious which one I like.

My father has a Marantz 2220B that I've been trying to swipe from him for years. It sounds quite a bit different from my B60. Its a lot warmer, smoother and lush sounding than the B60. I could easily live with it in a second system, but it would never replace my B60.

Just some food for thought.
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