I've been looking at purchasing a new or used integrated amplifier, or pre-amp/power amp combo. I'm having a hard time figuring out what the quality brands are and where to purchase them. I have a limited budget (around $500) for the int. amp or pre/power combo. I'm looking at powering a pair of decent bookshelf speakers (something around a Paradigm Monitor 5) so maybe 50 watts of quality power give or take.
I've heard many brands discussed but I don't know how they compare or where I can even buy them. Jolinda, NAD, Marantz, Denon, Arcam, Niles, Cambridge Audio, Audio Note, Audio Refinement, Prima Luna, Creek, Rotel, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon, Sunfire, Onkyo to name a few, but I don't know which of these are actually any good and if I can afford them, used or new. So far I've found a couple that look interesting, the NAD C320BEE and Cambridge Audio Azur series. Used or new doesn't matter too much as long as I can get my hands on one and it sounds good. Help me out a bit to narrow down my shopping list.
The guy at my local audio store told me to avoid the Japanese equipment, stick with the British and American stuff. Is there any truth in that, are there brands I should avoid?