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Suggestions for an amp

It has been suggested that I should look at a different amp to get the best sound out of my speakers. 
I have a Yamaha Aventage RX-A830. Front speakers are Monitor Audio Silver 8. 
I am mostly interested in something to provide the best sound while listening to music but also be decent for HT. I have an Orbit with a Grado Black 1 cartridge for vinyl. 
I am not looking at spending a ton of money and will definitely consider used (I am looking at several on this site). 
Many thanks!
128x128granburyspring
granburyspring's avatar
granburyspring OP
21 posts
 
My plan was to use the integrated to bypass the HT. 
I would be listening to vinyl and probably CD’s through the integrated and movies/cable with the HT. 
Even though the Hegel seems to be a very good deal at $1600...it is simply more than I planned on spending at this time. 
rmdtexas
12 posts
 
I've had good luck with Marantz 5012 using two channels per side to biamp a pair of Monitor Audio Silver RX-6s. Was surprised at how the second channel per side solidified the lower end.  Was worried the power supply was not up to the task
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

The Cambridge Audio Azur 840a V2 will likely do better than your Yamaha receiver.

There's a Krell S-300i integrated amp I would look at on usaudiomart for $899   (NOT the KAV-300i one -- that's older).  The Krell makes nice stuff.  The S-300i is 150 watts/channel.  It is likely this is the closest that we can come to the Hegel sound quality / sonic signature.

Cambridge CXA60 is too small for Monitor Silver speakers, in my opinion.  Sort of same with the M3si.


A NOTE: none of these integrateds will have a phono preamp built in, so you will have to get a separate phono preamp for your turntable, unless you already have one.  The only integrated I know of that does include a phono input is the Parasound Integrated, which typically goes for more than the Hegel anyways.

caphill
665 posts
 
Your best bet will be the Hegel H160 currently for sale here for $1600. This unit normally retails for around $3500. 
You should grab it while it's still available. 

There are however good sounding av receivers for stereo music such as the Cambridge CXR-200, NAD T787, NAD T777 V3, Arcam AVR850, AVR550, Rotel RAP-1580 but good quality stereo integrated amps such as the Hegel H160 or MF M6si or M5si will sound better.
soix
8,656 posts
 
"Even though the Hegel seems to be a very good deal at $1600...it is simply more than I planned on spending at this time."

HA HA HA HAAAAAA!!!  Dude, you're at ground zero of "more than I planned on spending" here.  People should have to sign a waiver about spending more than they want before even being allowed to enter this site. 

Inline with that, we're not subtly pushing you toward the Hegel here mainly because it's a significant step up from everything else you're considering, and your speakers are good enough to let you enjoy the benefits of that.  Yeah it may be a few hundred dollars or more than some other options you're considering, but you're getting a helluva return on that relatively small incremental cash outlay.  Honestly, are the incremental hundreds going to impinge on your life that much?

Anyway, if you're hell bent on resisting our best efforts, of the other options you're considering I'd go with the Outlaw RR2160.  It's a relatively refined piece for the price, and it offers a HT bypass, DAC, and phono input -- all of which you'd seem to be able to make use of (the Azur has neither a DAC nor phono input).  And it's 800 bucks cheaper than the H160 here.  All I can say is you better have something pretty damn awesome to do with that $800 because you're leaving a boatload of audio performance on the table IMHO. 

Sorry for being so wishy washy and indirect here, but there it is.  Best of luck in whatever you choose. 
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