AudiogoN Forums: Best bargain integrated amp?

Best bargain integrated amp?

I'm in the market for a new integrated amp. I currently own a Cambridge Audio 640A, but am begining to notice its short commings. I'm looking for a more refined amp with more power. I listen to mostly rock, jazz, acoustic guitar stuff: Leo Kottke, Nick Drake etc. in that order.

I would like to go second hand and spend no more than $700.00, and I guess my question is will I notice a considerable improvement sound quality with a second hand amp of this price?

I'm interested in the Odyssey Audio Cyclops but have yet to find it used. What other units should I consider?

My system:
Speakers: Acoustic Energy Aelite 2
CDP: ShengYa CD-s10 (tube)
Interconnects: Kimber Kable Timbre
Speaker Cables: PS Audio X-Stream Plus

Thanks for the help.

Catt3 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

05-13-05

Responses (1-26 of 26)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

05-13-05 Hi catt3, could you say a bit more about what you do and do ... Ehart

05-14-05 Catt3, i would suggest the roksan kandy iii. the roksan has ... Timrhu

05-13-05 I'm using a naim nait 5i and think it's terrific. my source ... Groovybassist

05-14-05 Eric, while i'm satisfied with the cambridge, the bass seem ... Catt3

05-14-05 Fwiw, you might check out the melody sp3 from av123. i belie ... Suits_me

05-14-05 Catt3, a jungson ja-88c is another "minimalist" d ... Q007jb

05-25-05 Sold my cambridge audio integrated to buy the melody/onix sp ... Spurzheim

05-26-05 Portal audio panache designed by nelson pass (?) or musical ... Cdc

05-27-05 Audio aero prima is a hybrid integrated. it contains 1 tube ... Saki70

05-29-05: Pmwoodward
I own several amps and a standout at your price range would be the Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp. about 45 watts. I am surprised it has not been recommended up till now on this thread.
Pmwoodward (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

05-29-05 Check out consonance i just bought an a120 hybrid, great amp ... Blblues68

05-29-05 One of the most under-rated int-amps: kavent/vincent/sheng y ... uhurit@

05-29-05 The cambridge is a good little amp. i used to have a cambrid ... Nickway

05-31-05 Bought a nad c352 recently (80 watts a side) to replace an 1 ... Larryken

06-07-05 Okay, so i'm selling one, and take this for what it's worth. ... Highdudgeon

06-07-05 Marantz pm 7200. Jeffjarvis

06-08-05 onkyo tx-lr552. it's a 6.1 digital discreet for only $20 ... Gonglee3

06-09-05 I second the nomination for naim nait 5i. there are so many ... Panderso

10-07-05 You may get a brand new one from kellsieavdesign.com within ... Shanlei

10-08-05 Asl aq1001dt for about $1,500 will give you a tube integrate ... Robm321

10-08-05 Densen beat 100 for the money it's hard to beat .... Bluemike

10-08-05 For the money your only talking about spending, i would high ... Daverobertson

10-10-05 Chinese, jungson ja88c for $400. easily sell for $1200-150 ... Maxxc

10-10-05 No offense, but your cambridge is probably fine.....the spea ... jay_douglas_287@

10-12-05 Consider a rotel 1060-very well received and has phono too. ... Beernut

10-12-05 I just sold my unico unison for $750.i cant immaging there i ... Ttrhp