A good looking Integrated Amp which does the Job!

[admin_exported]

Ok my budget can go upto £250 MAX (would prefer around £200) and I would prefer to buy second-hand as there is no need for me to have an expensive new one.

With my set-up right now, aesthetics is quite important and the amp would have to be black - I have had my heart set on a Rotel after seeing their sleek design, not to mention their quite impressive performance when paired with quality speakers.

I have my MA RS8s sitting downstairs with no Amp.

I have searched in vain for a Rotel RA-03/06 second-hand but can't find anything anywhere. Have located an 04 but is that worth the few hundred wanted?

Set-up is in my bedroom which is fairly big, but I will not 'blasting' the music. Mainly interested in hearing all aspects of the music and the clarity (hard to describe) and something which can control the bass well (not looking for something harsh in this area) as I will mainly be listening to Hip Hop/RnB.

A friend has suggested I try the Pioneer A400 but based on how ugly it looks, I can't do it.

Hope someone can help.

 

[chebby]

Why not buy brand new? (£244)


Or ex-dem for £199 (and it's black!) from Audio-T?

(Click of the 'more details' link for pics) Audio-T will transfer it to your nearest branch.

My my. You did not look very hard did you?

They are all over the place.

Anyway I got you started hopefully.

 

[floyd droid]

Blimey,at that throw away price, why not follow chebbys link up.

 

[Anonymous]

This Arcam Alpha 10 is not only a better match in terms of tonal character but it has the grunt needed to control a pair of MA RS8s. I'm not so sure a 40W Rotel is going to cut it on those. I tried them with the RA03 but I still thought it needed more bass control.

EDIT OK, it'll come ein at a little above £250 but it'll be worth every penny.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, thanks for that! Sorry, I meant I had searched a lot for the 03 and 06 (Second hand) - it's only the past few days I've considered the possibility of an 04.

You guys think between £200-250 is good for an amp with only 40watts per channel? I'm quite an audio n00b and thought 40 was around the bare minimum... and just wondering if they will do justice to the quality speakers.

The reason why I was searching so hard for the ra-03 was because of the 75wpc it provided.

I know Rotels understate their power but I do have slight concerns about spending such a sizeable fee on an amp with only 40wpc when I may get something better to pair with the speakers.

Sorry for the essay!

 

[Anonymous]

if you dont mind older gear .... the Pioneer SA-9800 or SA-8800 can be picked up cheaply off ebay ... paid £275 for my 9800 in immacalute condition .... looks ok and sounds brilliant ...

if it needs a service/recapping, there is a guy in the UK who is an expert in the old Pioneers and Kenwoods and does a full service and recapping for as little as £70

 

[Anonymous]

Vain I know, but it looks ugly and like an old sky set top box - can't have that in my set-up unfortunately.

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers I will have a look at them.

 

[Anonymous]

Pity, that Arcam Alpha 10 is a hifi bargain.

 

[matthewpiano]

A second hand NAD C352 would be ideal. Plenty of power, plenty of weight and very involving sound. Should easily come within budget too.

Although it might not fit you visual requirements...

 

[chebby]

The best I can find for you are two (one new and one ex-dem) RA-06 models in black for £389.

You would of course get full Audio-T warranty and support and probably get to listen to it first (unlike most second hand deals) and there would be no postage as they would get it delivered to your nearest branch at their cost.

I doubt many second-hand sellers would let one go for much less (in good working condition) especially as the RA-06 is a current model.

£200 -£250 is a bit optimistic.

 

[Anonymous]

I've read quite a lot about it in my research but just can't spoil the set-up I have unfortunately - it would like quite out of place.

My friend has some Monitor Audio G20's paired with a Rotel RA-02 and that sounds very good to both of us, and the bass seems controlled on that. That's why I was thinking the 04 (which is an upgrade on that) might be OK with RS8s..

 

[floyd droid]

APatel8:
Vain I know, but it looks ugly and like an old sky set top box - can't have that in my set-up unfortunately.

So does that mean im the sole old sky box owner on the planet,goodoh, roll on when the antiques roadshow hits my neck of the woods next.

 

[Anonymous]

Doesn't look brilliant, but it's not as bad looking as the Arcam. Will have a look at that too - cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
The best I can find for you are two (one new and one ex-dem) RA-06 models in black for £389.

You would of course get full Audio-T warranty and support and probably get to listen to it first (unlike most second hand deals) and there would be no postage as they would get it delivered to your nearest branch at their cost.

I doubt many second-hand sellers would let one go for much less (in good working condition) especially as the RA-06 is a current model.

£200 -£250 is a bit optimistic.

Yeah you're probably right mate, I think I'd stretch to £320ish for that if I could find a second hand one as it's an upgrade to the 03.

 

[Anonymous]

floyd droid:APatel8:
Vain I know, but it looks ugly and like an old sky set top box - can't have that in my set-up unfortunately.

So does that mean im the sole old sky box owner on the planet,goodoh, roll on when the antiques roadshow hits my neck of the woods next.

Each to their own and that 🙂 - I'm just too bloody fussy. If I didn't care how the soddin amp would look I'd probably be enjoying some brilliant music right now, but I do unfortunately so the search continues..

 

[Anonymous]

The RA-02 is the same amp under the casework as the RA-04 and the RA-03 is the same as the RA-06. Don't know whether that helps in your decison-making process.

 

[Bodfish]

I used to run a Meridan 551 intergrated amp which I absolutely adored. It is a cracking little amp and in my view is a beautifully designed and engineered piece of kit.

The occasionally come up on ebay and the sold prices seem to be within your budget 🙂

 

[the record spot]

Forget my previous entry which was to recommend a Rotel pre/power.

There's a Pioneer SA9500 on Ebay just now (just not listed as such), which could be worth a look. Pictures are slightly blurry but the seller claims perfect working order and it looks like it's in good nick.

 

[Anonymous]

You will struggle to find one but I think the Aura VA100 Evolution both looks and sounds great.

It was available from B&W in black or chrome in the early nineties.....

Have tried to upload a photo but not sure if I have been successful!

 

[Big Chris]

I recently picked up an Arcam A85 off eBay for £285. Lovely amp, plenty of grunt (85wpc), loads of inputs and features. Only thing I think it's missing is a phono stage as standard, but they did it as an option. Silver and black versions out there, so have a good scout around.

 

[Anonymous]

igglebert:This Arcam Alpha 10 is not only a better match in terms of tonal character but it has the grunt needed to control a pair of MA RS8s. I'm not so sure a 40W Rotel is going to cut it on those. I tried them with the RA03 but I still thought it needed more bass control.EDIT OK, it'll come ein at a little above £250 but it'll be worth every penny.

Think I might have to consider this AMP now - see it popping up quite often in discussion. What about the Acram Diva 85 amp - would this be suitable? Another candidate on what I've read now is the Roksan amp - not sure which one though.

I think after a few demos my music listening might have become more refined! I listened to a friend's MA GS20s with the Rotel RA-02 yesterday and I was not at all impressed by the sound - it sang a little too much and there wasn't the refinement I'd expect at low volumes. Funny as a few months ago I thought it sounded the bees knees!

 

[Anonymous]

I tried the Roksan Kandy (older amp) on the RS8s and it was very bright and brittle sounding. Off in 2 minutes!

 

[Anonymous]

Oh ok - might have to demo that as a few have said the MKIII goes well with the RS8s.

Any Musical Fidelity amps that would go well with the RS8s for £250-300ish second hand? I know they are very well thought of round these parts..

 

[Anonymous]

Ok choices have been narrowed down to:

Acram Alpha 10 or Diva 85

Roksan-CandyIII

Primare A20 Mk II

Creek Evo

Ruled out the Rotel after what I heard yesterday.