best budget integrated amp?

[funnyhat]

Is a sale on the cambridge 540 for 275 a good deal? Not sure what they go for right now. It seems the overall opinion is that this and the NAD 320 BEE are comparable? I would be interested to know if one of the other has major flaws, or at this price range is it just nit picking. Thanks for all help.

[JohnMichael]

Is a sale on the cambridge 540 for 275 a good deal? Not sure what they go for right now. It seems the overall opinion is that this and the NAD 320 BEE are comparable? I would be interested to know if one of the other has major flaws, or at this price range is it just nit picking. Thanks for all help.

www.audioadvisor.com has the 540 on sale for $269.22 and depending where you live they will ship it for free.

[zincalloy77]

low budget amps are mainly the realm of NAD,rotel and cambridge, just go for the sound you prefer,trust your ears

[RGA]

Actually you know you could very well be better of buying used. I bought a used Sugden A48b for $400.00Cad. With something like the Sugden you are getting a significant step up from IMO any amplifier that I have ever heard from any of these companies.

You may not get the features like a remote control but there is a certain amount of added pleasure knwoing you are getting something that is a considerable step-up than the entry level units and this is on top of better sound.

I'd be looking at used amps from Sugden A28, A48B and if you really luck out the A21a, Audio Refinement "Complete" or YBA Integre DT,Arcam Delta 290 integrated. You could look for amps from Roksan, Creek Audio etc.

Amplifiers are about as safe a second hand buy as you can get.

[zincalloy77]

I totally agree, if you are prepared to buy second hand, (with a good audition) then some far nice equipment is on offer

[nightflier]

Is a sale on the cambridge 540 for 275 a good deal? Not sure what they go for right now. It seems the overall opinion is that this and the NAD 320 BEE are comparable? I would be interested to know if one of the other has major flaws, or at this price range is it just nit picking. Thanks for all help.

My vote goes to the NAD. I've auditioned both in my home and I have to say that the NAD has deeper bass and more authority. Also doesn't have a problem driving 4 ohm speakers. The two things that bothered me most about the NAD are cosmetic:

- ridiculoously laid out remote: can never tell which way is up & it has more buttons than are needed (to control other NAD components).
- It looks like somebody smeared poop all over it instead of using paint. It won't match black or silver components, but if you have all NAD gear, I suppose it matches.

On the other hand, I was willing to overlook these issues because of the sound and several features that were important to me: 12v trigger (to power external devices), spartan front layout (great WAF), better sounding headphone amp, plenty of inputs (including video & Tape2), smoother volume control, and preamp outputs (it can do double duty as a very decent preamp).

Other components you should definitely consider: HK3480 (also ugly but so good that I bought one) and the Outlaw RR2150 (which I intend to audition as soon as it comes out). Both of these are receivers, but they have a ton of useful features.

[topspeed]

- It looks like somebody smeared poop all over it instead of using paint.

LOL!!! Now there's a visual for ya!

Oh man, you just made my day...

[funnyhat]

Thanks for all the tips, one more question, once I am set up with the integrated amp and cd player, what are my best options for cables (types and/or brands)? I don't know much about this, any ideas are great!

[emorphien]

hey, my NADs resemble the fact that they look like poo was smeared on them

[slate1]

I'd highly recommend the Cambridge Audio 640A if you can swing it. They just released the Version 2 of the 640A so you can probably find a V1 for less than $400 from SpearitSound.com or avhifi.com

As for the Cambridge units not being able to push inefficient speakers - I've got the 640A running 86db NHT SB-3's without a hitch.

Cables - go with AudioQuest and the best ones you can afford. The Sidewinders are nice and won't run you much more than around $40/meter pair.

[topspeed]

Thanks for all the tips, one more question, once I am set up with the integrated amp and cd player, what are my best options for cables (types and/or brands)? I don't know much about this, any ideas are great!

Anything better than the supplied cables will be fine. You're likely to have an extremely short run for the IC's so I'd think a .5m pair will be fine. As for brands, start with the cheapest brand you can find, such as AR from RatShack and then compare them to a pair of boutique brands IC's (AQ, Monster, Valhalla, HarmonicTech, etc.) and see if you can hear the difference. Go with what you think sounds best.

[funnyhat]

Thanks to all for the help so far. After thinking, it seems it will be more feasible for me to replace my source first and the amp after. I think I want to look at the cambridge 540 and 640 models, if I eventually go with either the NAD 320 or cambridge 540 amp, will I hear a difference between those 2 cd players? Just trying to determine if it is worth it to spend the extra $ for the 640. Thanks.

[Rob B in CT]

I think I want to look at the cambridge 540 and 640 models, if I eventually go with either the NAD 320 or cambridge 540 amp, will I hear a difference between those 2 cd players?

I was in the market for a CD player about 18 months ago and auditioned the Cambridge 540 and 640 along with the Rotel 1072. All were powered by the Cambridge 640A. Almost immediately, I eliminated the 540C from the A/B tests as it didn't compete in terms of definition and presentation. It's possible that the B&W speakers colored my impression as I didn't like their overall sound (lots of detail but no body or bass). After 45 minutes of comparing the 640 and 1072, I settled on the Rotel. Though I'm happy with my choice, I've always thought the decision might have been driven by which player best compensated for the speakers' shortcomings. Nonetheless, the 540C and 640C definitely sounded different from one another, so I would audition both.

[emorphien]

Thanks to all for the help so far. After thinking, it seems it will be more feasible for me to replace my source first and the amp after. I think I want to look at the cambridge 540 and 640 models, if I eventually go with either the NAD 320 or cambridge 540 amp, will I hear a difference between those 2 cd players? Just trying to determine if it is worth it to spend the extra $ for the 640. Thanks.

There are enough differences over the Cambridge 540 to make the 640 a better choice. A lot of people will tell you there's more going on inside than just more watts, and that a considerable overhaul was performed making it the much better unit in more ways than power. Audition them to see for yourself.

As for a CD player, I listened to the Cambridge 540 and 640C but ultimately liked the NAD C542 the best.

[nyrgrs60]

Hello Forum....Long time audio Review user, but I have not posted on the Forum site in ages...Here goes... Average audiophile...no Vinyl....mostly Cd's. I have noticed that I have been using my MP3 player a lot more then any other music source at home for a while now. I am looking to purchase an Intergrated Amp, with a sole purpose of using it for my MP3 player. What is the best product for that use.....Not too expensive......And do they make Int. Amps for primary MP3 use?.....Not a fan of any Docking stations....They just sound like portable radios to me......Yes....Bose also.......I dont think it matters, but I have a Zune 120 Gig MP3 player.......Floorstanding, and bookshelf speakers...Probably use my JM Reynauld Twins with this amp....Yes I can hook the MP3 player up to my cd input on my preamp, but I would like a seperate system for this purpose....Any input would be appreciated.....Thank you again....

[Ellison]

Buy a Nad352 instead of 320 or 540... 352 sounds pleasurable and relax. And its also dynamic. Just dont expect much transparency and imaging. But its musical tho