Best bargain integrated amp?

Eric,

While I'm satisfied with the Cambridge, the bass seems to be vague at times; sometimes it all sounds smeared together like I'm hearing one note. Although it is a tad bright this doesn't bother me as much as the bass.

Also, I had mentioned the Clycops because of its minimalist design. I don't own any vinyl, don't listen to the radio, and don't have a tapedeck or any tapes for that matter. My entire music collection is in CDs. Why pay for something I'm not going to use?

Are there any other "minimalist" integreated amps out their besides the Cyclops that I should consider?

FWIW, you might check out the Melody SP3 from av123. I believe it's in your price range, especially if you partner with someone who wants their little monitors in the package deal they have.

I haven't heard one, btw, but it looks well built. It is not quite minimalist in the sense that the 47 Labs chip amp integrated is, but it is minimalist in terms of features and so forth. And it's tubed.

Now, you want to rectify the bass, and perhaps you think tubes are not the best way to do that. I would expect your current speakers do not really have low bass, and would wonder if you aren't hearing a room problem. It's funny that an integrated would have one note bass. But just in case, the Melody is a heavy chunk of iron, and some of that would be fairly robust transformers for the money.

Catt3,

A Jungson JA-88C is another "minimalist" design. It only has three inputs and on the front there only is a volume knob and volume display. The unit compares favorably to integrateds in your price range and only costs $400. However, it looks like the Cyclops might be a little beefier in terms of power.

Also, I just read that the Cyclops goes for $895, so you could get it new for $200 more than what you were looking to spend. Maybe the extra money is worth it for a brand new unit?

Good luck on search,

Dan

Sold my Cambridge Audio integrated to buy the Melody/Onix SP3. is is just great - I really anjoy the difference.

It has lots of authority for a tube unit, but if bass slam is what you are after, you might need to stick with transistors or perhaps a hybrid unit like one of the Xindaks that has been appearing on eBay.

Portal Audio Panache designed by Nelson pass (?) or Musical Fidelity X-150.