Question Stereo Amplifier advice to match current system

DaveyLounge

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Feb 19, 2021
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Hi, I am looking for advice on purchasing a Stereo Amplifier to match my system. Most of the music I listen to is on Vinyl. My budget is limited to £1000 max, preferably around the £500ish mark.

My system comprises of
B&W 606 S2 Anniversary Edition Speakers on Atacama Stands
Chord Rumour X Speaker Cable
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable
Rega Phono MM Stage Mk3
Marantz 74CD63/15b Special Edition CD Player
Denon DRM-600 Cassette Deck

My current Amp is a Cambridge Azur 540A.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 

DaveyLounge

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I originally had been looking at the Marantz PM6007, Cambridge CAX61/81 and the Arcam Sa20. I would like to keep the Rega Phono, and was wary of having an empty phono stage on an amp. I was hoping to connect the CD player & my TV, for stereo only, via digital optical leads. I have a separate A/V Setup with a projector, for movies.
 
I originally had been looking at the Marantz PM6007, Cambridge CAX61/81 and the Arcam Sa20. I would like to keep the Rega Phono, and was wary of having an empty phono stage on an amp. I was hoping to connect the CD player & my TV, for stereo only, via digital optical leads. I have a separate A/V Setup with a projector, for movies.
Can you clarify, you want an amp without an internal phono stage?
 
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RoA

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Your current CA 540a seems like a good little amplifier. I just wonder how much of an improvement a newer £500 amplifier is? I can't say for certain as I have not used the suggested options.

I'd cautiously say upping your budget to the limit (what else are limits there for) may be a better option and would survive a few upgrades elsewhere in the future if desired?

It would put you in the realms of a s/h Hegel, even a MF M5si (if lucky) and others. - All probably a sizeable step above what you have.

The question is what would you like to improve and what are your preferences?
 
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DaveyLounge

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Feb 19, 2021
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Your current CA 540a seems like a good little amplifier. I just wonder how much of an improvement a newer £500 amplifier is? I can't say for certain as I have not used the suggested options.

I'd cautiously say upping your budget to the limit (what else are limits there for) may be a better option and would survive a few upgrades elsewhere in the future if desired?

It would put you in the realms of a s/h Hegel, even a MF M5si (if lucky) and others. - All probably a sizeable step above what you have.

The question is what would you like to improve and what are your preferences?





Both the Cambridge Cxa 61 & 81 have caught my eye. My Cd player was linked to my A/V system but has now relocated to my dedicated music system, therefore I would prefer Digital inputs for the CD player & TV
 

RoA

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Sorry, I do not have experience of any of those.

External DAC's are cheap and good now so perhaps do not base your decision solely on that?

A Hegel H90 has a good DAC though. I did own this amplifier and it is very good imho. How it compares to your choices I can't say but you can pick one up s/h under your budget.

CA make good products and a lot of users seem happy.
 
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gasolin

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the cambridge 61 costs as much as the cambridge 80, thats why i didn't mention cxa 61/81

The cxa 60 has a very open sound not to much bass and a more bright sound than dark, so make shure nothing else is bright
 
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