Although this is my first post on this forum I have been a frequent visitor to the reviews section of the website over the last few years and also subscribed to the magazine on and off.
I am at the point now where I need to decide between evolution or revolution for my hi-fi. My system started out with a NAD 3130 amp, Dual CS505 deck and AR18BX speakers back in about '87/88. Since then (mainly in the early '90s) I added a Kenwood 6-CD autochanger, tuner and tape deck. More recently I have added a Cambridge Audio iPod dock and a Logitech Squeezebox that I use to stream music (either 320kbps mp3 or FLAC files) from a NAS. Earlier this year I replaced my speakers with MA Bronze BX2 as the foam around the cones of my AR's had perished.
I am now thinking about a change in the amp department as I sometimes lose a channel when changing positions on the NAD's input selector. My dilemma is whether to replace the amp with like-for-like such as the Marantz PM6004, buy a micro-system such as the Marantz MCR-603 or get an AV amp in preparation for eventually going fully multi-channel and hooking up to TV, Sky box etc (some of the Sony receivers are good value at the moment such as the STRDN1030 or STRDH820).
My budget is about £250 for just an amp rising to about £350 if I went for a micro-system or AV amp (I would only plan to use my stereo speakers for now and invest in 5.1 speakers later once I have convinced my wife that it's a good idea).
I have read various comments that the stereo performance of budget AV amps will not match that of a budget stereo amp but would value your opinions. I'll add that I am not very critical in my listening which is mainly classic rock that is played at a reasonable volume.
I look forward to reading your views on what I should do.
Kind regards
PB
I am at the point now where I need to decide between evolution or revolution for my hi-fi. My system started out with a NAD 3130 amp, Dual CS505 deck and AR18BX speakers back in about '87/88. Since then (mainly in the early '90s) I added a Kenwood 6-CD autochanger, tuner and tape deck. More recently I have added a Cambridge Audio iPod dock and a Logitech Squeezebox that I use to stream music (either 320kbps mp3 or FLAC files) from a NAS. Earlier this year I replaced my speakers with MA Bronze BX2 as the foam around the cones of my AR's had perished.
I am now thinking about a change in the amp department as I sometimes lose a channel when changing positions on the NAD's input selector. My dilemma is whether to replace the amp with like-for-like such as the Marantz PM6004, buy a micro-system such as the Marantz MCR-603 or get an AV amp in preparation for eventually going fully multi-channel and hooking up to TV, Sky box etc (some of the Sony receivers are good value at the moment such as the STRDN1030 or STRDH820).
My budget is about £250 for just an amp rising to about £350 if I went for a micro-system or AV amp (I would only plan to use my stereo speakers for now and invest in 5.1 speakers later once I have convinced my wife that it's a good idea).
I have read various comments that the stereo performance of budget AV amps will not match that of a budget stereo amp but would value your opinions. I'll add that I am not very critical in my listening which is mainly classic rock that is played at a reasonable volume.
I look forward to reading your views on what I should do.
Kind regards
PB
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