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Best budget integrated choices

I had a Sugden A21 some years ago but it died an unfortunate death.

I am looking for a budget (defined as as cheap as possible) integrated to power my LS3/5a V2 (a little easier to drive than the original) to not loud levels.

I worked myself into a tizzy of joy reading reviews of the Onkyo A-9010 Integrated Stereo Amplifier to only find out that the UK version is the one voiced (if I can say that) with a nice warm presentation.  I am a tube guy at heart but appreciate a warm SS amp.

What else should I be looking at.  I am a but apprehensive on used SS after mine died.

Thoughts?
portlandlay
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
"budget (defined as as cheap as possible)”  The cheaper I can get one the sooner I can get one :)  If I were to wait and splurge it would be about $1500.  If I buy now it would be that onkyo price around $300.
If your coming from a Sugden, then $300 isn't really going to get you what your use to. 

I would wait and splurge on the real deal.

If you need music now, just pick up a used amp or borrow one.  Hell, even a used AVR for under a hundo will make some noise in the interim.  The way these things depreciate, you can pick up fairly new models really cheap on Craigslist.
portlandlay OP
62 posts
 
Thanks Paraneer.  That is what I am doing actually.  I have an old Yamaha AVR.  It does not sound that bad really.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
A Quad Vena? around $400 used. I have one (two, actually) and they sound very good for the modest outlay.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,305 posts
 
I second the Marantz PM 8003, I own the PM 8004 and it is terrific.
timlub
2,039 posts
 
$500 or so should get you an Audio Refinement Complete.... This is really a nice sounding integrated.
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