I find it hard to think any knowledgeable Agoner would suggest anything under $400 in a integrated amp will sound like most recievers! Ann wants to grow in the hobby and will hear a difference. The NAD C340 or C350 sound more musical than any Sony reciever at double, even triple the price new. I have never heard anything Sony (non ES) to be more musical than a NAD product near the same money. The NAD will also allow a better match to speakers choosen in the future since good budget speaker units tend to offer lots of detail, the cheap Sony amps would sound horrible on them. The NAD units are a bit rolled off in the highs (C340 and C350, not the 320BEE). This would suit your JBLs well also. The soundstaging of the NAD units will do vocals very well indeed as the NADs do have a "fuller sounding" soundstage than many thin sounding receivers. You can get a used C340 or C350 for under $300, maybe even $225 or a demo C320BEE at QAudio for $319. You don't need a reciever obviously since you have a nice tuner. Stick with the NAD.
low cost integrated amp for newbie
I'd like some advice on a low-cost integrated amp for a starter system. Under $300 would be my preference. Used is fine. I wouldn't call myself an audiophile (yet?) but I appreciate good design & quality sound. So far the only audiophile piece I've got is a NAD 4300 tuner, purchased at the advice of a co-worker who was determined to woo me into the realm of high-quality audio gear.
I was running the tuner through my old Sansui RZ-5000 receiver which is gradually losing its functionality (thus the tuner purchase in the first place). It was limping along until my most recent move. Now it cannot transmit to either left speaker channel, so I'm on a mono system at the moment. The receiver has always been a nuisance to use, even when it worked properly. The design and quality of NAD feels like a breath of fresh air after dealing with such cumbersome equipment. I want more like it.
I listen to lots of talk radio, folk, blues, and electronica. Sometimes from the internet, usually the airwaves. Of course I play CDs too, but maybe only 1/4 of the time. I seldom play anything terribly loud as I have a small house with oak floors. I'd rather have speakers in every room than blast the volume from one spot.
My current speakers are JBL ("JBL82," they say on the inside plate), circa mid-1980s. I have no idea how they compare to anything else quality-wise, I inherited them from a friend. They sound okay. Not amazing, not bad, but okay. Eventually they'll probably go, too.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, or feel free to point me to existing threads.
I was running the tuner through my old Sansui RZ-5000 receiver which is gradually losing its functionality (thus the tuner purchase in the first place). It was limping along until my most recent move. Now it cannot transmit to either left speaker channel, so I'm on a mono system at the moment. The receiver has always been a nuisance to use, even when it worked properly. The design and quality of NAD feels like a breath of fresh air after dealing with such cumbersome equipment. I want more like it.
I listen to lots of talk radio, folk, blues, and electronica. Sometimes from the internet, usually the airwaves. Of course I play CDs too, but maybe only 1/4 of the time. I seldom play anything terribly loud as I have a small house with oak floors. I'd rather have speakers in every room than blast the volume from one spot.
My current speakers are JBL ("JBL82," they say on the inside plate), circa mid-1980s. I have no idea how they compare to anything else quality-wise, I inherited them from a friend. They sound okay. Not amazing, not bad, but okay. Eventually they'll probably go, too.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, or feel free to point me to existing threads.
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- 24 posts total
- 24 posts total