amp or preamp ?

[Mr Peabody]

Typically, either separates or integrated will provide better sound quality over a receiver. Receivers are made as a one box solution and only so much can go in one box.

Cambridge and NAD are good suggestions as well as Creek or Jolida. Some of the budget priced integrated amps are low power although they are quality watts.

My recommendation for an 18 year old just getting started would be to look for used Adcom separates. These are cheap on the used market and are good at their retail price and a steal used. The amps are very powerful, usually conservatively rated, and provide a hefty bass slam. My local Craigslist was showing a gfa-555 at $300.00, this amp originally was close to $1k and does 200x2 into 8 ohms. A more recent version is the gfa-5500. Many of Adcom's preamps have tuners built in look for "gtp".

If you get an amp or receiver that can produce enough current you don't need switches 4/8 ohm. Adcom can certainly handle it. In receivers Hk or Onkyo would be the one to produce more current than typical receivers.

If you are on a tight budget those vintage receivers that some one mentioned before can be had for $50.00 give or take on Craigslist or thrift stores. When I was your age I got started with a Realistic receiver my dad bought me for graduation. All those older receivers from the 70's have all discrete circuits, which just means no IC chips, everything is all laid out on actual circuit boards. So the sound is pretty good. You'll recognize what we call "vintage" the receiver will have the lit up analog FM dial all the way across the front, no digital read out or presets. Good hunting.

[ryanianmckinnon]

yeah im open for anything i just want something that sounds good and that doesnt cost tons
but what i say is you get what you pay for and thats usually true i was thinking about getting a nad or something like that i want to do my research first and see about whats in my price range but that advice deffinetly helps