2. amps-preamps
  3. 1116033927

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
blblues68
68 posts
 
Check out Consonance I just bought an A120 Hybrid, great amp. There is a A120 SS for sale for $500 in the classifieds!
uhurit
61 posts
 
One of the most under-rated int-amps: Kavent/Vincent/Sheng Ya line of products. As a bonus, you also get defeatable tone controls
nickway
168 posts
 
The cambridge is a good little amp. I used to have a Cambridge A500 5 years ago when I first got into hifi.

If you could spend a little more ($800) you can get a used Blue Circle CS. It's very musical and will sound awesome with you type of music. I love mine. It's a steal and a deal. Read some of the reviews on it. I think its worth saving for.

www.bluecircle.com

Happy listening,
larryken
537 posts
 
Bought a NAD C352 recently (80 watts a side) to replace an 11 year old NAD 310 (20 watts a side)...spent under $500 new and huge bang for the buck..not much on looks but competes with much costlier pieces.
highdudgeon
28 posts
 
Okay, so I'm selling one, and take this for what it's worth...

But, the MD-208 receiver from Magnum Dynalab is one of the best buys for a medium priced system. You save money (and issues) on interconnects. You get a world-class tuner. And the amp is no slouch -- it's easily somewhere between the current Sim 5i and 3i. The sound is (yes) tube-like and feels very even and natural. I've seen it paired with $4k+ speakers (my situation, in fact) and it was a perfect match.

If I had to have just one medium-priced system, it would revolve around this piece. The fact is, I have two other very expensive systems...so, there you have it.
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