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Budget receiver/integrated amp for Cornwall III's?

I'm not able to set up my CW-III's in our new home so I've had them up for sale (locally), but have had little interest. Therefore, I'm thinking about putting together a two channel rig is a spare bedroom that is sort of my man cave.

I'm on a very limited budget since I'm not sure how long I will keep this set-up and my plan is still to sale the speakers and downsize at some point.

I'm looking for an integrated amp or receiver that would be a good match for the Klipsch and $400 is going to be at the top of my budget. I know this is not much to work with, but I wont need allot of power. My room is ~ 12 x 16' and I'm looking to buy used.

I've got a three channel amp (too big), center speaker, etc. I'm also trying to sale and if something moves soon then I may be able to go a bit higher.

What do you think guys, is it possible to get good sound at this price? BTW, I still have many good IC's and speaker cables and will be using a Sony SACD/DVDP for my source. ES model, that's not half bad.
jack_dotson
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
I am currently powering my Klipsch Heresy's with a vintage Marantz 2252B receiver and a B&K ST2140 amp. IMO, total bliss. The 2252B alone does a wonderful job with the Heresy's in my 13 x 13 room. I have used it to power Fortes and Quartets with the same results. Mid power to high power Marantz vintage receivers(2250, 2252B, 2265B, 2270, 2285, 2325, etc.) will all be fine choices to complete your quest.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1303844462&/Marantz-Model-2252B-

80's, 90's, 2000's Denon integrated amps are also good choices to stay within your budget.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1305321029&/Denon-PMA-2000R-Integrated-Amp

NAD integrated amps also.

Bill
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Vintage tube receivers, definitely. 10-20 watts of EL84 power will sound wonderful. Scott, Fisher, Heath, Mac, Lafayette, Dynaco and many more. I've got a 7 watts Monacor for way under your budget that will sound amazing. And YES, I used to own Cornwalls and my favorite was a Pilot 245.
theunderlyingtheme
90 posts
 

If you can save $100 more, the Audio Refinement Complete is such a wonderful buy.

Had one for years, and they drove my inefficient Vandersteens quite well.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I agree with Elevick in terms of the treble and mids but not in the bass.
If you can Stretch the budget a bit I found fantastic synergy with a McIntosh 2505 power amp with gain control so can be used as a single input int. amp . A 2505 happens to be on sale here today. Check the "Staff Pics" section. The 50+ WPC will do a lot to get the woofer moving some air and gives you a more balanced presentation. Really strongly recommend.
Also consider a Vintage Luxman receiver usually can be found on Epay and generally less than $400.
jack_dotson OP
210 posts
 
Any thoughts on Carver vintage C-1090 integrated?
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