2-Channel Stereo on a $300 Budget and a few other questions

[hermann_giron]

My party room receiver just burned out and I am looking for an alternative that doesnt put a huge dent in my pocket.

I use this receiver to drive a pair of mid-sized bookshelf speakers but I am also considering the addition of a Sub-Woofer or Upgrading my speakers to towers so I would like to have good wattage available in case I do. (I have been considering an amp around 80W).

Sound quality is more important than volume for me, as I dont usually play my music as loud as movies which get handled by another amp in another room.

My audio sources for this amp are primarily a good quality CD Carrousel Changer and an IPOD (my MP3 collection is ripped at 192 Kbps and I am testing the different lossless formats available), so all I need is a good 2 Channel receiver or Amp-Pre Amp setup in my price range.

I have been considering the Marantz 4320 as I have had good experience with the brand, but will definitely consider other brands and refurbished units as well to stay close to my budget.

I would appreciate any comments or sugestions.

[markw]

http://www.yawaonline.com/nadc3inamre1.html

[kexodusc]

If you really just want a 2-channel stereo system, and you're not opposed to buying 2nd hand gear, I think you should just drop $100 on a NAD 3020 or 3140 similar Integrated unit...Then buy some used power amps (Adcom, NAD, etc) to fill out the rest of your budget if more power is desired...plenty of amps on ebay and audiogon in the $100 area.

Cheap, good party room system...I have a 3140 linked to a wicked little 80 wpc AudioSource amp i stumbled across right now in my garage driving some old Wharfedales I have.

If you insist on buying newer gear...markw's suggestion on the C320Bee is a good one!!!

[topspeed]

Gotta agree with Mark and KC on the C320bee if you go with an integrated. You might also look at this Cambridge Audio 540a which is what I bought over the NAD because it was a lot less expensive yet very, very close in sound quality (the NAD had slightly better bass).

If you like listening to the radio in your party room, might I suggest something a little more vintage? You obviously like Marantz so why not look for a nice used 2275b or something of that ilk? These old tanks are retro-cool wearing brushed stainless steel faceplates with blue lighting and sound marvelous. If music quality is a priority, I can attest that they sound better than 90% of modern disposable receivers as my little 2230 sounds far better than my Denon 3803. I'd also look into vintage Sansui and Fisher receivers as they are also highly regarded. You can find units for sale on ebay all the time like this.

Hope this helps.

[hermann_giron]

Thanks for the advice to date guys. I have been researching your reccomendations and am totally open to all of these options and many more. My initial budget is stretching, but hey... sometimes you gotta say "What the hell..."

One question that I have regarding my current research is that my CD player has Digital Outputs but none of the options I have been researching has Digital Inputs.

Is this related to my price range or to technical considerations regarding D/A conversions in Pre Amp/Amp setups for 2 Channel Stereo? Should I look for Digital Inputs if all I want to listen to is 2-Channel?

Please enlighten me.

[markw]

Not that they don't exist, but I cannot think of a two channel unit with a digital input. This would mean that it had it's own internal DAC built in and this would certainly add to the price. If you want to avail yourself of that digital output than one of the low end HT receivers would be more in your price range.

But, if two channel is your goal and you have no problems with the CD's built in DAC, then either of the two integrateds recommended two channel amps oreven a vintage Marantx 22xx series receiver will be more than adequate. My 2270 is over thirtry years old and still amazes me.