best budget integrated amp?

[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.

[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

[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

[abulgan]

any advice for Tube Amp can be used with Kef İQ3 (89db) or B&W 602 S3 (90db) in a small room

[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....

[markw]

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....

Any integrated will do the trick but since MS dropped support for Zune hardware, you might want to look on Amazon and get hold of an A/V docking station while they are still available. With that you can use any amp with aux inputs. Pretty soon they won't be making them any more, if they are still making them at all,

[MM622]

You may consider some China made trube amp

[Poultrygeist]

For the money you won't be able beat this EL34 Yaqin tube amp. It's easy to bias and you can low ball their buy-it-now price. I've owned two tube hybrids and sold them both. Why not start out with a tube amp as we all eventually end up there, no matter how many solid states we go through on the way.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MC-10L-Int...item27bd188cae

[markw]

Why not start out with a tube amp as we all eventually end up there, no matter how many solid states we go through on the way

No, we don't. That's a lie.

Besides, this thread is five years old.

[JohnMichael]

No tubes for me. I love my Krell and dynamic driver speakers. I once listened to some PMC speakers with a McIntosh tube amp. I kept thinking the bass would be better with some good solid state power.

[frenchmon]

No tubes for me. I love my Krell and dynamic driver speakers. I once listened to some PMC speakers with a McIntosh tube amp. I kept thinking the bass would be better with some good solid state power.

I've got that SS power in my hybrid....Well I've been going back and forth with the Vincent and Rotel SS. I can see why there are two camps. SS is a cleaner sound, while the distortion of the tubes is romantic. I was at a live concert Sunday and the guitar amps had tubes in them. I noticed that same distortion...

[markw]

SS is a cleaner sound, while the distortion of the tubes is romantic. I was at a live concert Sunday and the guitar amps had tubes in them. I noticed that same distortion...

Funny, I've spent my life trying to get rid of as much distortion as possible in my playback system. Now, to intentionally add it in across the board just sticks in my craw.

But, I can see where the distortion added by tubes can be a boon to music production, such as in wailing, screaming, guitars, fuzzy bass, and other intentionally added sound effects but that just seems to lead to this rusty old caveat:

"Tubes are great for some electronic music production but solid state is better for all music REproduction."

[Poultrygeist]

Negative feedback is used to lower distortion and in the case of solid state is often the only thing keeping the transitors from exploding. Triode amps OTOH do not employ negative feedback. Negative feedback is not a problem if you don't mind a 2 dimentional sound stage and time smearing.

[JohnMichael]

Negative feedback is used to lower distortion and in the case of solid state is often the only thing keeping the transitors from exploding. Triode amps OTOH do not employ negative feedback. Negative feedback is not a problem if you don't mind a 2 dimentional sound stage and time smearing.

Depends on how it is used. Some SS amps have low negative feedbak. During the spec wars they used large amounts of global feedback until someone discovered and measured TIM and then most designers reduced there amounts of feeedback and how it was applied.

Interesting that we are replying to a 5 year old thread. I hope the OP has found something by now.

[markw]

Triode amps OTOH do not employ negative feedback.

Well, that explains those high levels of the beloved even-order harmonics tube fans are so fond of. But, fear not. Negative feedback is, in fact, utilized in other classes of tube amps in order to minimize this.

As for "smearing" in SS amps, you should try using something of quality for a standard instead of those $40.00 T-amps you so love.

"To keep them from blowing up"??? Oh, come now. When you stoop to these levels of gross exaggeration, or just plain BS, you cast doubt on anything you say among those with any knowledge at all about this hobby.

[JohnMichael]

Well, that explains those high levels of the beloved even-order harmonics tube fans are so fond of. But, fear not. Negative feedback is, in fact, utilized in other classes of tube amps in order to minimize this.

As for "smearing" in SS amps, you should try using something of quality for a standard instead of those $40.00 T-amps you so love.

Yes he could try a Krell S-300i or a Nelson Pass integrated.

[frenchmon]

Well, that explains those high levels of the beloved even-order harmonics tube fans are so fond of. But, fear not. Negative feedback is, in fact, utilized in other classes of tube amps in order to minimize this.

As for "smearing" in SS amps, you should try using something of quality for a standard instead of those $40.00 T-amps you so love.

"To keep them from blowing up"??? Oh, come now. When you stoop to these levels of gross exaggeration, or just plain BS, you cast doubt on anything you say among those with any knowledge at all about this hobby.

Yes...or even a Rotel RB 1080 which is 2 or 3 years removed from production...great power amp..with no smearing...and combined with a good preamp and speakers... its good a low level listening.

[Poultrygeist]

I have heard the F1 driving back loaded horns and it is an exceptional amp. Most impressive was the amount of bass this 10 watt high current amp produced from a 4.5 inch Fostex driver.

[RGA]

Negative feedback = BAD
No Negative Feedback (from tube designs) = Good
Quasi designs using no feedback but not from tubes = some degree of mediocre - Sugden A21a SS Single Ended No feedback is good if you really don't want a tube amp and good for the money. However - better tube amps for the same money are available - like the Kit One.

Articles

http://www.hificritic.com/downloads/Archive_6.pdf

Audio Note

[frenchmon]

Hey RGA...send me those PM 150 monobocks to mate with the SA-T1...

[markw]

While we're generalizing, tube amps have more distortion then solid state amps and, as we all know, distortion is bad, except perhaps for Jimi Hendrix and the like.

Enjoy your Kool-aid, boys, Some people can sell it succesfully, like Jim Jones, but society hasn't bought it, and never will.