Wharfedale diamond 220 amp

[da_grudge]

Hey. Can you recommend any amp on a budget? I have an old technics but I am thinking to change, I don't feel it gives the best combination...

Thanks

 

[da_grudge]

no help on this?

thanks

 

[georgescookie]

i used to have a marantz pm6004 hooked up to the wharfdale 121 speakers and they were a perfect match, sounded great...you should take look at the pm6005 if i were you

 

[da_grudge]

Thanks! What about nad? Looking for vintage 3020i....

 

[georgescookie]

Im not sure about the 3020i, i know they were great amps at the time, however Im not sure about the power it offers (2 x 20w) & how well it will drive the diamond 220s. The pm6005 i know will drive them no prob and will sound great with clarity, depth, and deep rumbly bass...the choice is yours

 

[da_grudge]

ok thanks. what about nad 316? the problem about marantz is price, i can get the nad for half the price.

maybe look for an older model? what do you think?

thanks!

 

[georgescookie]

I see...i wouldnt know about the 316BEE but at least it has double the power of 3020 which would be better for those diamonds. My first amp was the Nad C340 some years back, which was fine, it was powerful but felt the sound was a bit flat and not very exciting to listen to, which kinda put me off the brand. The PM6004 was the opposite, hence why im more inclined to the Marantz amps, I was so please with the sound i upgraded to the PM8005 a few years later which is just brill.

What have you got at the moment?

 

[da_grudge]

I have an old technics SA-424. It sounds good but not as good as I would like. Don't really feel excited with it.

 

[matthewpiano]

There's a nice selection of quality budget amps around at present:

Onkyo A-9010(UK) and A-9030

Pioneer A-30

Denon PMA720ae

Marantz PM6005

Yamaha A-S501

Alternatively, on the 2nd hand market, there are some real stars:

Marantz PM66KI-Signature

Pioneer A400

NAD C325BEE

Various Rotels, including the RA01, RA04SE, RA-971...

 

[georgescookie]

I think mathewpiano has covered most areas regards budget amps, the Marantz & NAD ones are the best ones in my opinion...but do keep us posted

 

[Cypher]

I would try the Denon PMA-520AE or the PMA-720AE.

I use the PMA-720AE amp with Q Acoustics 3020 speakers. The PMA-520AE is already very good and you can get it for not much money

 

[da_grudge]

I can get tthe denon 720 for about half the price the marantz. Are you sure it's a good option? Or the price difference is really justified?
Thanks