Second hand stereo amp to integrate into home AV system

[admin_exported]

Evening guys and gals. I would love to splash out on a new amp for my system but it would seem that i may have to limit myself to the second hand market.

Can anyone recommend amps that i may be able to pick up for under a grand that would have great synergy with neat motive 1's. I like all sorts of music, but mostly listen to house. I dont care what manufacturer they are, i just want a fantastic sound.

Your thoughts and ideas would be most welcome.

 

[John Duncan]

Do you mean a stereo amp to integrate into an existing surround system? Am not 100% clear...

If so, Primare i30

EDIT - Though if you must look elsewhere, I hear Naim are quite good with Neat...

 

[Dan Turner]

Synergy with the speakers is the main consideration for stereo listening, however if by 'integrating with home cinema set-up' you mean sending front L&R pre-outs from your home cinema amp to your stereo amp and using that to drive the front L&R channels, then if you want your your front L&R channels to match tonally with the other channels on surround sound, then the stereo amp should be from the same manufacturer as your home cinema amp.

I guess whether you go for the amp that makes the best match for your L&R speakers or one that is the best match for your HC amp depends on whether your priority is music or movies.

 

[Anonymous]

John, yes you are right mate, i would be integrating into my surround set up. So the primare kit would be a good match for the neats?

I would like to go for the one that matches the speakers more than the av system as it is my intention to split the two systems in the future (my av amp is an onkyo 905 by th way). Ultimately i would like to end up with an m&k surround system and my neats for stereo. I have motive 3's as rears so if i need to down scale things due to room size in the future i can sell on the 1's and keep the 3's.

If tonal imbalance really became an issue i could always hook up the neats straight to the onk if i were to settle down for some serious movie action.

edit: i also have a rega apollo cdp.

 

[Anonymous]

Dan Turner:
if you want your your front L&R channels to match tonally with the other channels on surround sound, then the stereo amp should be from the same manufacturer as your home cinema amp.

Really? I see where you are comig from but I wouldnt have thought it was that important to use the same manufacturer. I am in the same boat. Also looking at 2nd hand market as can't afford new. I've been recommended the Harman Kardon HK990. They are about £900 new.

 

[Dave_]

barnsleydave:Dan Turner:
if you want your your front L&R channels to match tonally with the other channels on surround sound, then the stereo amp should be from the same manufacturer as your home cinema amp.

Really? I see where you are comig from but I wouldnt have thought it was that important to use the same manufacturer. I am in the same boat. Also looking at 2nd hand market as can't afford new. I've been recommended the Harman Kardon HK990. They are about £900 new.

Don't think it's that important, Auto-calibration/set-up should sort out any tonal imbalances.

 

[John Duncan]

I don't think tonal imbaance would be an issue either, tbh - speakers play a bigger part in that, whereas an amp ought to be fairly neutral.

So yeah, I'd be looking at Primare, Naim, Roksan Caspian, that sort of thing - Cyrus if you must [;-)], all of which are fantastic amps.

 

[Anonymous]

Would a stereo power amp instead of integrated amp, using the Onkyo 905 as a pre-amp, work?

 

[Dave_]

You're not by-passing the A/V's Pre-amp then though,which is kinda the point!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input fellas. Particularly interesting to hear views on tonal imbalance.

Would a leema pulse be worth a look with the neats?

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry to bump this but the leema pulse seems to be a reaosnable second hand option, so was wondering if that would be good with the neats?

Ta

 

[Anonymous]

Not even anyone from the WHF team got a view on the leema and neats? sorry to bump yet again!