Budget Amplifier Upgrade

[admin_exported]

I am going to upgrade my 6 year old Sony amplifier sometime soon, it has served me well but I no longer think it is up to the standard of the rest of my system. My shortlist so far consists of

Rotel RA-04

Marantz PM6002

NAD C325BEE

So which amplifier do you think would best match the rest of my system (see below)? Feel free to suggest other amplifiers worth a listen.

 

[Anonymous]

bump

 

[Anonymous]

Patience amigo

Okay so what is it that your system currently lacks or could do with more of do you think?

 

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to go 2nd hand there are some great bargains to be had, looking around mint 320BEE's go for sub £100.

But as said depends what you think is lacking in your system, budget sony amps tend to be quite decent.

 

[matthewpiano]

NAD C325BEE would give you more drive and stronger bass performance with good levels of detail. The TAF-E370 is a decent entry level amp but the NAD is a great hi-fi amp and you'd struggle to improve on the C325BEE without spending £500. Until I bought my current Denon PMA1500AE, the NAD was the best amp I've owned (yes, better than Arcam A70, Naim Nait 3, and Cambridge 740A).

 

[Anonymous]

It is hard to know what is missing without auditioning other kit I suppose, I definitely think the bass is lacking something. The main reasoning behind the upgrade is that I bought the Sony amp when I didn't know much about hi-fi and the rest of the components were more informed choices, so I though I could go back and make a big improvement to the sound for £200-300. You make a good case for the NAD so I think I will look more into this option. Thanks.

 

[nads]

if it was my set up i would definatly go for the NAD amp.

never got on with the Marantz amps. and i have not heard a Rotel for a very long time.