Best amp under 1500 GBP for classical music

[Longjohn]

Dear All,

I want to buy a good integrated amp costing the equivalent of 1500 pounds or less for listening to mainly classical music and some jazz. I'm interested in the Marantz PM-KI Pearl Lite, but it's not readily available at a good price in the country where I live (Switzerland).

I'm also looking for a CD player, but will probably get a cheapo CD transport (CD6004) plus a DAC.

If any of you guys do recommend the Pearl Lite, what speakers would you recommend?

Last question: Are there any good British HiFi shops that will send goods to Europe?

Looking forward to your answers.

Best regards, John

 

[plastic penguin]

Dear All,

I want to buy a good integrated amp costing the equivalent of 1500 pounds or less for listening to mainly classical music and some jazz. I'm interested in the Marantz PM-KI Pearl Lite, but it's not readily available at a good price in the country where I live (Switzerland).

I'm also looking for a CD player, but will probably get a cheapo CD transport (CD6004) plus a DAC.

If any of you guys do recommend the Pearl Lite, what speakers would you recommend?

Last question: Are there any good British HiFi shops that will send goods to Europe?

Looking forward to your answers.

Best regards, John

Leema Pulse. Fantastic dynamics and imaging. I listen to Jazz and big band music and it is fabulous.

Sevenoaks S&V in Brighton sent a Leema to Australia, but they don't seem to have any real good offers at the mo.

 

[CnoEvil]

My choice would be (in my order of preference):

Sugden Mystro

Electrocompaniet Pl-1

Audio Analogue Puccini Settanta Rev 2.0

Musical Fidelity M3i

Creek Evolution 5350

Peachtree Nova

Arcam FMJ A28

If you are looking for speakers, what is your budget and what brands do you have access to.

If you are looking for a Dac for Classical and Jazz, you should consider the one from Rega.

 

[Rethep]

With classical - and jazzmusic, i would rather go for a tube-amp! Like mine, or PrimaLuna. Get some nice Epos Epic or Elan speakers, and avoid all the exotics. The soundstage of a good, relatively cheap, tube-amp cannot even be approached by the most expensive of solidstate-amps.

 

[Shanka]

Hi

If you like the Pearl Lite maybe look at the Yamaha AS2000 or AS1000, big smooth sounding amps, very chunky retro feel and loads of power.

Good Luck

 

[Balderdash]

My father loves Quad. He only listens to classical.

 

[AL13N]

Maybe you could kill two birds with one stone... twice.

For amplifier and speakers have a listen to the Mackie HR624mk2. For CDP and DAC (and Preamp) the Quad 99 CDP-2 can be bought for under £500 second-hand having been replaced by the new model.

Mackie: http://www.thomann.de/gb/mackie_hr624_mk2.htm
Quad: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html?_kw=QUAD+99+CDP+2+Combined+CD+Player+Pre+Amp

Alternatively, you could look at the AVI ADM9T RS and connect them to the CD transport you already have in mind (CD6004) or a Blu-Ray player.

AVI: http://www.avihifi.co.uk/adm9.html

All the above stores will ship to Europe. Good Luck.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

The boys at pinkfish have it right, all amps at that price are good for classical music. Their suggestion of the Unitilite is also a good one.

 

[SteveR750]

Hmm, surely a good amp is good at music, period.

I'd obvioiusly add the Roksan Caspian M2 to Cno's short list. I listen to Rock, Blues, mainstream pop, classical and opera, and prefer to have a neutral presentation that doesn't favour any particular genre.

 

[Covenanter]

I agree with Steve that you want something "neutral". I'm happy with my Marantz PM6004 but your budget would allow you to explore a wide range of options. Unless you are completely happy with them perhaps explore better speakers?

Chris

 

[Captain Duff]

People seem to be giving very UK orientated pointers, and perhaps that is what the OP wanted by posting on here, but given his ideal location for access to French, German and Italian products, alongside the high-end Swiss hifi manufacturers who produce what I believe to be very good products that never seem to see the light of day over here, I'd be very interested to hear what his experiences are so far of what is available to him closer to home.

 

[Longjohn]

Dear All,

Thank you for your very helpful comments. To answer Macduff's challenge, I've been to several Swiss Hi-Fi retailers, and I have to say that a lot of the equipment I've seen has been British, German or Japanese. For example, you can venture into a small store and, astonishingly, you will find that the main brand they are selling is Cambridge Audio.

In a large store nearer to me they sell T&A, Rotel, B&W, Marantz and NAD, to name a few. The Swiss manufacturer who is best represented seems to be Piega, who is quite well-known for their speakers. I have listened to them, but found them rather clinical in presentation. In this same store, I was surprised at the large range of B&W speakers, from CM7s right up to the really expensive ones that would set you back 10K or so.

My impression is that British HiFi equipment does quite well in this part of the world, but I have to admit that my focus has been on trying out equipment that I can read about in the UK magazines.

Best regards to all,

LJ

 

[CnoEvil]

The brands from Italy work well with Classical music, but are inclined to be outside your budget (Pathos, Unison Research, Sonus Faber and Opera).

France produces Jadis and JM Renaud amongst others.

 

[matthewpiano]

Hmm, surely a good amp is good at music, period.

Completely agree.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hmm, surely a good amp is good at music, period.

Completely agree.

The problem is one person's good is another person's c*@p, making this a very nebulous statement.....so it's great in theory. :shifty:

 

[SteveR750]

Hmm, surely a good amp is good at music, period.

Completely agree.

The problem is one person's good is another person's c*@p, making this a very nebulous statement.....so it's great in theory. :shifty:

I think most people concur with the general sonic traits. bright sounding equipment is bright sounding to most people, the real issue is whether you prefer a bright sound or not.

 

[CnoEvil]

I think most people concur with the general sonic traits. bright sounding equipment is bright sounding to most people, the real issue is whether you prefer a bright sound or not.

Up to a point, I agree....but which of these sonic traits constitutes a good amp. By and large, everybody thinks their amp is a good amp (whether a Cyrus or a Jadis)......and that encompasses a lot of different amps, with often very different sonic traits......hence my comment.

 

[hoopsontoast]

Denon PMA-2000AE would be ideal for classical. Stonking amp that you could pick up S/H for around £600.

 

[matthewpiano]

Those big Denon amps are great for a whole range of music. Wish I'd never sold my PMA1500AE sometimes, but that is another thread!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi John

Speakers -

The size of your room?

Is the room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room positioning of the speakers (distance to walls, corners, will there be anything between the speakers such as cabinet, windows etc.)?

Distance between the speakers?

Listening distance?

Will anything be in the way of the speakers?

Your budget for speakers?

In the meantime Densen Audio Technologies B-110 Plus or if you are also happy to consider used/discontinued amplification then ATC's SIA2-150 MK1 are also worth bearing in mind.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft