Going down Need help with cheap integrated amp


Hi-Due to the wonderful economy I have been downsizing my system. I have owned or tried many different integrated amps including Bel Canto, Cambridge Audio 840, Vincent 236, Creek 5350, Destiny, NAD, Rotel, Anthem, etc. I had settled on an Exposure but couldn't really afford to keep that. Plus, I would like a headphone jack which seems to be against the law to put one in most integrateds nowdays. Two integrated amps stand out in my mind for their sheer ability to sound like music and connect emotionally-they are not perfect-they have their issues and faults. They are the NAD 3020 and the Exposure 2010S. In fact I think these two have very similar characteristics. Unfortunately, the Exposure is out of the question. I do have an NAD 7020 receiver, but it does not have remote, which is very annoying. So here is the question. Is there an integrated in the $200-$300 used price range that has the same communicative way of reproducing music that the Exposure or the 3020/7020 does? Maybe a better question is, has anybody compared directly a 3020 to an NAD 320BEE or 325BEE? Do the new units sound at all like the 3020? I should point out that the NAD sound has not been consistent over the years. I have owned the monitor series stuff and this past summer directly compared a 317 integrated against its successor, the 370. It was very interesting. The 317 had sharper images, was more dynamic, and was quicker. The 370 sounded somewhat mushy, warm, and slow. The point is, I cannot assume that a 320 or a 325 sounds as good as, or even like, a 3020 just because they are the supposed 'new & improved'. That's why I ask if anyone has compared these units head to head.
Thank you for your help.
128x128geph0007

Showing 1 response by timrhu

Sorry to hear of your situation there.
As for an inexpensive integrated amp, I always thought the Harman Kardon amps of that era were some of the best sounding. A low powered HK amp from the 80s and early 90s would be my choice. Very reliable too.