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What are the best entry level integrated amps and speakers?

My daughter just got a new place and wants to upgrade her Best Buy based stereo system.  She is only interested in two channel stereo (good for her).  I told her if you're willing to get used equipment of high quality you'll get a better system like I did (Krell, Ayre, Revel).  We are looking for an integrated amp and speakers.  The amp should put out 75-100 watts.  She has enough room for floor standing speakers or something smaller.  So far I have researched NAD and Outlaw for amps and PSB for speakers.  What would you recommend?  I think the budget will be $1,000-1,500.

 Thanks for your input.

128x128pipebro
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Beetle mania , the $1500 is for both.  Thanks.
yyzsantabarbara
4,459 posts
 
Get a powered KEF LS50 and be done with. You maybe able to get one under $2k used.

I have 2 really great small systems that I expect to keep until the grave. One in the office and the other in the bedroom.

1) KEF LS50 passive + Peachtree Nova 150 integrated.
2) AUDIENCE - ClairAudient 1+1 v2 Bookshelf + Benchmark DAC3L + Benchmark AHB2 amp

The KEF LS50 is my favourite small speaker but the Audience speaker (2K) is incredible in the mid-range. They sound different.

#1) used is only a little over you price range. I bought both used for $2300. Though the price is likely lower these days since the KEF speaker is not the latest hot thing.

#2) is a lot more expensive, $7K. I just added it if anyone else was interested in a small office system.
mrdecibel
2,897 posts
 
Pipebro...It is always easy to recommend what each of us likes, but..............What is wanting her to upgrade ? What does she want more of / What does she seem to be missing ( imaging, coherence, neutral tone, dynamics, etc. ? What music does she favor ? What is her listening room like ? What are her sources ? Any shared walls / floors / ceiling. Sorry for my snartiness, but I need this information when helping people. Her e ya go.....Klipsch Heresy IIIs.
ddrave44
123 posts
 
+3 for NAD
jrpnde
271 posts
 
By all means don't purchase an amp and speakers without auditioning them in person, if that's possible. I'm sure you would advise your daughter about that. Some amps and some speakers match up well and others do not.
Here's a first hand example....
I used to use a HK receiver with a pair of Klipsch monitors. Those speakers weren't the lower of the Klipsch line but their top Reference series. The sound was OK but I decided to upgrade. I purchased a NAD integrated (C375BEE) and connected the Klipsch speakers. Sounded like a thick blanket had been thrown over the speakers and sounded much worse than with the HK receiver.
Then went to my local audio store and auditioned my NAD amp with a pair of PSB Imagine B speakers. The improvement of sound was astounding. So, proper amp/speaker match ups are essential.


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