Second Hand Amplifier Upgrade!

[tony340]

Hi everyone
I have a friend living in Canada, and he is coming over end of this month.. I was having a look at Canuck Audio, and there are some amps going for around C$400.. The models that were particularly interesting are: NAIM NAIT, $400 Musical fidelity A2 $425 and a few others. Are these good models, they are said to be in excellent condition. Worth the money? Cheers

[Mr Peabody]

Both the Naim and MF are good amps. I'm not sure what the Nait sells for, the MF seems to be a good price. You could probably Google the models to see what they retail at.

[Feanor]

Hi everyone
I have a friend living in Canada, and he is coming over end of this month.. I was having a look at Canuck Audio, and there are some amps going for around C$400.. The models that were particularly interesting are: NAIM NAIT, $400 Musical fidelity A2 $425 and a few others. Are these good models, they are said to be in excellent condition. Worth the money? Cheers

I agree with Mr P that both Nait and Musical Fidelity have very good reputations. A caution with respect to older Naim equipment, including the NAIT, that they had only eccentric, proprietory connectors, not the standard RCA. Check that out: if the unit doesn't come with Naim -to- RCA connectors you could be stuck to pay a fair bit of money to buy new ones.

[tony340]

Hi
Well i cant find much info at all on google about both the MF and Naim.. Since Feanor mentioned about the Naim, i have my reservations on it.. So when considering the MF A2 i just cannot get any info on it, does anyone know how this is?Also there are some other INT on Canuck, will anyone be able to advice me on a good one under $500? Cheers

[blackraven]

Here's some info on it http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ramps&1141489123&read&3&4

[Mr Peabody]

The Nait started out proprietary, I'm not sure when, but at some point they did add RCA's. Don't rule it out until you find out how old the unit is and what version. AR has reviews on the Nait 5, you can pick up some info there, just consider the sources.

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/nait5i.html

Now here's a 1989 article where the Nait 2 does only have DIN connectors except for the phono input.

http://stereophile.com/integratedamps/660/index1.html

[blackraven]

Here's a marantz integrated to consider http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/102481-classic_marantz_pm80_class_a_integrated_amp_in_exc ellent_condition/

[02audionoob]

How about this one...depending on how much power you need...

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/90660-nad_3020_integrated_amp_with_original_owners_manua l/

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/integrated-amplifiers/nad/3020/PRD_116008_2717crx.aspx

[tony340]

Thanks all for the advice..
I'm currently using a Rotel RA-1062 to run my Paradigm Studio 20's.. Since I cannot afford very high end gear at the moment, I'm trying to upgrade my Rotel with a budget!!!!!! (I know, real cheap skate!!!!) So do u think one of these would really be a good upgrade to the Rotel?? Thanks

[blackraven]

Keep the Rotel! What is it that you don't like about it? What CD player are you using? You might want to upgrade your source with a new CDP or even a DAC instead.

[tony340]

You are so damn right blackraven!!! I mean yesterday after posting i was listening to the whole system, and WOW!! Actually its really mind blowing sound, but u may be right about the source, i am currently using the Marantz CD 5001.. Any suggestions on a good upgrade that will give better sound? Cheers mate

[blackraven]

Here's a few CDP's- Rega Apollo, Marantz SA8001 or 8003 SACDP's, Cambridge Azur 740c, 640c and MusicHall 25.5. The last 2 would not be a huge step up from the 5001 but would have more detail and resolution than the 5001. I think the Marantz and Rega Apollo would be better matches with the Rotel.


Another way to go would be to buy a DAC and use your CDP as a transport. Consider the Benchmark DAC, Van Alstine insight DAC (avahifi.com) to name a few.

Th 2 Marantz players are SACDP's and have a nice warm sound, more analog. The Van Alstine DAC's also have a warm sound with a huge soundstage and transparency with very tight bass.