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Do you stream hi-res music or download hi-res tracks? We want your opinions!
Your favorite integrated amp(s) under £2000? Why?
- Thread starter Happy_Listner
- Start date
Mine. The Onkyo TX-NR818 came at a time when manufacturers made AV amps more musical. It's been my day on day amp since last summer and it's fantastic. £1000 on release it brings functionality and form together with convenience in one very impressive package.
Harman Kardon HK990. Real world power, dual mono design and onboard DAC. With the partnering (and also excellent) HD990 CD player, it was ahead of the game of the current trend for accommodating digital sources within the product. They sound great too.
The Onkyo TX-8050 was the first networked stereo receiver that offered onboard streaming services and a wide range of formats. Excellent bit of kit. A steal at full RRP sadly it looks like it was a one off for Onkyo. No doubting the pedigree though, this was a very fine and innovative amp.
Harman Kardon HK990. Real world power, dual mono design and onboard DAC. With the partnering (and also excellent) HD990 CD player, it was ahead of the game of the current trend for accommodating digital sources within the product. They sound great too.
The Onkyo TX-8050 was the first networked stereo receiver that offered onboard streaming services and a wide range of formats. Excellent bit of kit. A steal at full RRP sadly it looks like it was a one off for Onkyo. No doubting the pedigree though, this was a very fine and innovative amp.
the record spot said:
Thumbs up on the HK990. That beast, the Kandy K2 BT and the Yamaha A-S2000 are in my favorites.
I personally don't subscribe to the wine tasting aproach to choosing amplifiers. I shoot for the performance alone. I wouldn't be any less happy with your Onkyo in my system than with the Roksan.
marantz pm 66se was a hot rod, lovely amp so was sonys budget ta fb930r, lovely build and facilities. i have had many vintage amps ( though not sure how much they would have been new) i had the use of pioneers mighty sx1980 amp/tuner before it sadly blew up but my fave was technics se a2000 pre power combo which i think retailed for around 1800 sometime in the 90s
Deliriumbassist
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- Apr 27, 2011
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Cyrus 8a with the PSX-R. No phono stage, sure, but it is a very capable amplifier, in a great form factor. Certainly not clinical to my ears.
plastic penguin
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- Apr 28, 2008
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Leema aside...
Creek Evo2 which had fantastic all-round ability. The only drawback on the model I dem'd, apart from a lack of inputs, it was delivered straight from the Creek factory to me and the treble lacked a little openness. If I had kept it no doubt I would've had years of enjoyment.
Have to give a mention to a more expensive amp, although did not hear it at home: AVI Laboratory Series. When I heard that I had the Arcam Alpha 7R as the main amp, and the AVI was a revelation at the time (circa 2003).
Creek Evo2 which had fantastic all-round ability. The only drawback on the model I dem'd, apart from a lack of inputs, it was delivered straight from the Creek factory to me and the treble lacked a little openness. If I had kept it no doubt I would've had years of enjoyment.
Have to give a mention to a more expensive amp, although did not hear it at home: AVI Laboratory Series. When I heard that I had the Arcam Alpha 7R as the main amp, and the AVI was a revelation at the time (circa 2003).
I still think the pioneer A400 takes some beating, which Amp selling now has the same performance for the price, I've yet to find one.
Covenanter
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Al ears
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On the solid-state front I would second the Creek Evo 2 (better still the Destiny 2) but more than likely spend my money on the Exposure 3010S2 - because it is the best 'all-rounder' you can get for this sort of money.
It's not brilliant in one area or another it is just very,very good in all of them. 🙂
It's not brilliant in one area or another it is just very,very good in all of them. 🙂
Electro
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- Mar 30, 2011
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Electrocompaniet Eci3 fully balanced integrated amp .
Top quality engineering and design , with a large power supply that delivers 70wpc and 60 amps peak current . The sound is very dynamic , powerful , with incredible imaging and layering of the soundstage , with a good recording it can put the performers and the space they are playing in into a virtual extension that is added to your room 🙂
It is capable of driving and controlling most speakers , even speakers with very difficult and reactive loads with no fuss or bother .
It is an amp that you fit and forget , it gives you the feeling that you are hearing real music rather than just music on a stereo 🙂
http://www.tonepublications.com/review/electrocompaniet-eci-3-integrated-amplifier/
Top quality engineering and design , with a large power supply that delivers 70wpc and 60 amps peak current . The sound is very dynamic , powerful , with incredible imaging and layering of the soundstage , with a good recording it can put the performers and the space they are playing in into a virtual extension that is added to your room 🙂
It is capable of driving and controlling most speakers , even speakers with very difficult and reactive loads with no fuss or bother .
It is an amp that you fit and forget , it gives you the feeling that you are hearing real music rather than just music on a stereo 🙂
http://www.tonepublications.com/review/electrocompaniet-eci-3-integrated-amplifier/
Al ears said:
its 8 years old that one, its for sale on the Wam too - Electro have no history of the amp either so go with caution!
Al ears
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MUSICRAFT said:Al ears said:
Hi Al ears
The A-300R Precision was better then the A-300R but not better then the truly great A-400
Rick @ Musicraft
Having owned both I beg to differ. The one I kept was the 300R Precision (later converted by Tom Evans to a power amp).
jamesrfisher
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stevebrock said:
Very good point. I had seen it and had my eye on it, wondered why it was cheaper than they usually go for.
Al ears said:
£1k
Hes a newbie, got him converted - already got him a used RP3 and hes taken my old RS3s
Told him the used Electro is a better buy than a Nait 5si / Exposure 2010 / Rega Elex
Al ears
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stevebrock said:
I'd concur with that as an all rounder that just gets on with it. (I have never been either a Rega or Naim fanboy when it comes to amps, or at least the ones I can afford).
If I may be so bold some brands that are often overlooked (that I have owned) like Primare (A31.2), Copland, and the Sugden A21aL as previously mentioned on this thread, are all available now for under a grand.
Naim SuperNait Mk1 - ex-display. Awesome amp, best I have ever had. I needed the built-in DAC so the Mk2 would have been no use.
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