Hi,
This is my first post here, and I'd like to thankyou for the reviews on this site, they are really helpful. I'm looking to replace my amp and get a CD player, and I would really appreciate some advice.

The amp will drive my DB Dynamics floorstanders (I know they're hardly top quality but I got them for $AU 350 {$US 260} and they keep me happy for the moment. And lets not talk about what amp I am currently using, other than to say I got it for $US 50!!).

Here's what I am looking for in a second hand integrated amp:
- banana speaker posts (I currently use spring clips and I hate them!)
- pre-out for my eq
- I'm lazy so I'd like a remote control
- budget US$240

NADs are popular on Ebay in Australia and get good reviews on here, my preference at the moment is a NAD 712. Others on the shortlist are the 3020B (I know, there's no remote) and 7240PE (ditto).
Would you say the "NAD sound" is very strong, or just a subtle difference? I will probably be impressed with the sound given the improvement over my current Kenwood el cheapo receiver, but I'm not keen on anything with a distinctive character ala "the vinyl sound" some people love. Can you suggest any amps from other brands? Is the AMC 3000 any good?

For the CD player, I'm trying to decide if its worth getting one with an optical link (I realise this means a different amp to above). Is it worth using an optical link? Or is the DAC in a good CD player going to be better than in the amp, so there's no point?

Thanks in advance. And thanks for reading this massive post!

Simon