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Asking for guidance on my first hi-fi system...

Hello, this is my first post here and I am hoping to gain a little confidence in making a purchase of an integrated amp for a nice two channel music only system. I recently built my own speakers, (the Jim Holtz Mini Statements) and auditioned them at my friends house on two different high end audio systems.... Rogue, Electrocompaniet, Van Alstine are a few names I remember of his gear. He helped me confirm that my speakers sound very nice and are a good starting point to build upon. My budget is 500.00 or less for an amp. Currently I use an Onkyo HT-R520 home theatre receiver, set on "Direct" listening mode. Obviously, my speakers don't sound as good with the Onkyo. I believe the bass is over emphasized and the mids and highs are a little lacking in detail.
Here are my objectives:
1. Stay within budget
2. Find something that will sound better and resolve the weaknesses of the Onkyo

Currently I am interested in a 300 to 400 dollar Carver CM 1090 integrated amp. Would this be a wise choice given it's age? or should I be looking at a new NAD, or ?????

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
jfmerk
celtic66
1,619 posts
 
Audio Refinement integrated. Smoother and more reliable than NAD.
csontos
1,311 posts
 
What ever you do, don't get an early NAD built in the late 70's. They had no head room. I fried a beautiful pair of B&W DM7s with a 90wpch. receiver. I don't recall the model but mine was a fairly common story. They soon began producing amps with 6db headroom.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Do some more research and watch the classified ads here and on the other audio related sites. I owned the Audio Refinement amp mentioned above quite a few years ago and it's one of those pieces I regretted selling. Also owned a NAD C352 and thought it was a nice amp for the money with the exception of the jumpy remote volume control.
If you are patient though, you'll find a good deal. I recently purchased a Cairn 4810 at your price point. The Cairn feels like a hi-end integrated amp at a bargain price.
mountainsong's avatar
mountainsong
422 posts
 
I owned the NAD 355BEE I sold it, I think I was one of the first buyer of this amp from audio advisor, dark no details dull sound, I have no regrets i sold it, I ended up going up, the only way to hear differences in audio is when you jump for example for an NAD amp and all of the sudden your ears can't live without a class A luxman. Is costly but if you are serious about audio, start with a Rega used amp, Brio 3 or Brio R the new version I owned too, excellent and musical don't buy vintage, too much work repairs and other unexpected things that you will like to be away from....make your first steps in the hobby walking right...
enjoy the music
vhiner
544 posts
 
All of these NAD recommendations are no accident or conspiracy. Their entry level gear punches way beyond the weight class and is known for exceptional reliability. I've used the BEE models for several budget systems and my friends are very pleased. I have a seriously expensive system yet still love the NAD sound and approach; it's very balanced and refined for solid state in this price range.
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