• Please note that Audiokarma will be offline briefly for updates early on Monday morning, September 28th.

What SS Integrated Amp to Buy

PR Audio

PR Audio

Super Member
Recently I purchased a Turntable, Pioneer PL-518, for my father who wants to hear again his old LP's. He already has an Onkyo HT Receiver that he would use, and a pair of Vintage Yamaha Speakers that he has had since new (circa 1985). My father at this time doesn't have spare $$$ to buy good audio equipment, so I decided to put together a fairly decent system with used economical, but good sounding, equipment, and give to him as a gift.

I started with the TT, and chose the 518 because of it's simplicity and good construction, probably one of the better Pioneer's out there. As mentioned the speakers are vintage Yamaha NS-6161, which he already owns (might still give him a pair of new PSB B15's I am not using). Now, since buying a good phono stage for his receiver will cost more or the same as buying a used integrated amp (with integrated phono stage), I have decided to go the integrated amp route. I wanted to get him a tube amp, but usually they are expensive and over my budget, and the few on EBay at a good price are fetched quickly. So, have decided to go the SS route.

Suggestions are welcome (sub $200.00 including freight), but right now I am looking at four alternatives:

1. Rotel RA-840BX2
2. NAD 3150
3. NAD 3220PE
4. Creek 4140S2

Having MM/MC phono stage is a plus, having only MM is acceptable. Please, which one would you choose, and why?
 
Register to hide this ad
No suggestions? Leaning towards the NAD 3150, because of it's flexible phono stage (various setting for MC, and one for MM), but the Rotel and Creek also have selectable MC/MM phono stage, but not multiple setting like the 3150. Any help?
 
might want to consider a Yamaha A-1. i haven't used the phono stage, but it's supposed to be killer - MC is fixed but MM can go between 47k and 68k (with plugs) and 100k. it sounds very good otherwise, too - i'm listening to some Zevon right now. i flipped a RA-840BX4 recently - perfectly decent, good build quality, and probably a bit cleaner sounding - but the A-1 is more musical and natural with better imaging. might be a bit too rare to pop up again while your looking, but keep an eye out. i haven't heard any of the others so can't comment there.
 
Sorry, I haven't any experience with the listed units.

I am quite pleased with the Yamaha CA-1010, which meets your listed requirements. I like the Yamaha sound, it has selectable class A, MM and selectable MC. I also like the looks of the Yamaha. I think a good example of this might be found right around $200.

I also recently picked up a Sony TA-555ES. This has many of the same features including MC with choice of load. I am currently running the Sony daily and it has performed well and is a very quiet unit, although I haven't listened to it critically.
 
NAD.

Did I mention NAD?

The 3150 You're considering is a GRRREAT amp.

Have you thought about NAD?
 
How about some vintage alternatives? Pioneer, Sansui and Technics made some awesome integrated amps in the late 70s.
 
Harman Kardon PM-655 or PM-665. Great high-current integrated amplifiers with good phono stages, and MC as well as MC input.


edit: I meant, of course MC as well as MM
 
Last edited:
FredC said:
NAD.

Did I mention NAD?

The 3150 You're considering is a GRRREAT amp.

Have you thought about NAD?
Click to expand...

LOL, YES, and it is driving me crazy...Because of price I am torn between the NAD 3150 and the Rotel, the Rotel being much less expensive, the NAD having better features and SQ. Then there are Vintage Marantz (1060), HK (PM-665), Sansui, Pio's, etc. within my $200.00 budget (shipping included). So, as to keep my sanity I have narrowed it down to the NAD or the Rotel; Rotel having the edge solely on price.
 
Cleve said:
How about some vintage alternatives? Pioneer, Sansui and Technics made some awesome integrated amps in the late 70s.
Click to expand...

Yup! I was thinking Pioneer SA-9500 II or SA-9800. Both are terrific. The SA-8500 II like mine would be good as well if 60 WPC is sufficient to your needs.

John
 
The previously mentioned Harman Kardon PM-665vxi is a fantastic integrated amp. I would own one (and did..it's my father's now) over a lot of vintage alternatives.

Another to be on the lookout for is the Yamaha A-1. I think this one actually beats the HK for SQ.
 
No intent to piss anybody off, but you hear an awful lot of people complain about NAD's reliability, need for repairs, etc. particularly on the power envelope (PE) series you're looking at. Rotels you RARELY hear any complaints about.

I'm listening to a PM-650 right now, lil' cousin to the 655/665 and I'm real happy with it.
 
dspear99ca said:
No intent to piss anybody off, but you hear an awful lot of people complain about NAD's reliability, need for repairs, etc. particularly on the power envelope (PE) series you're looking at. Rotels you RARELY hear any complaints about.
Click to expand...

Pioneers are pretty darned bullet-proof too. Plus, you've got Mark The Fixer. :)

John
 
If you look around the Onkyo Integra line of integrated amps can sometimes be found for a good price...I have an a-8087 that does a pretty good job I am no expert but it does have a nice phono stage with MC selection
 
Y'all missing it.

For shame. Find a sweet Yamaha CA-610II, CA800/810 or CR840 and be in heaven. For very cheap money a Kenwood KA-3500 is hard to beat.
 
PR Audio said:
LOL, YES, and it is driving me crazy...Because of price I am torn between the NAD 3150 and the Rotel, the Rotel being much less expensive, the NAD having better features and SQ. Then there are Vintage Marantz (1060), HK (PM-665), Sansui, Pio's, etc. within my $200.00 budget (shipping included). So, as to keep my sanity I have narrowed it down to the NAD or the Rotel; Rotel having the edge solely on price.
Click to expand...

I just sent you a link to an NAD 3150 that fits your budget. Rotel is quality equipment but I can almost guarantee you're going to be happier with the 3150, being an owner of both brands myself.
 
I have the little bro to the 3150 (I believe)--the 3020. Great unit, I expect the 3150 to deliver well.
 
MY vote goes to the Marantz 1200/1200b. IMO it's one of the sweetest, most flexible and easiest to repair integrated amps I've ever seen or heard.

Interior layout is easy for the DIY crowd and most of the upgrades are confined to cap replacements and the way the boards are lay'd out this again is simple to diagnose and service.

The sound is pure sweet Marantz with most speakers.The Marantz 1120 integrated runs a close second for all the same reasons.

Just an opinion.

Peace,

Phil
 
Thanks for all your opinions, very helpful and have opened my range of options. As for Onkyo and Yamaha, been there done that and they are not my cup of tea. My father's first system, back in the early 80's was Onkyo Integra, and always found it too brite and forward; recent auditions of more modern Onkyo's confirmed what I remembered the sound to be like. Same thing with Yamaha, natural, but there is something that I don't like; to me similar to Onkyo. My father has always had Onkyo, and has never changed. His speakers are vintage Yamaha NS-6161.

My AV multi-channel system is modern Marantz, my 2-channel music system is tubes, and my office system is an HK-330B. So, as you can see I like my audio to be neutral to warm, and very detailed.

So added HK to the mix, Rotel is in the lead based on price to performance ratio, NAD 3150 is being considered due to it's sound and excellent phono stage; though reliability is a concern. And the Creek is lurking behind, because is in the high end of my budget. But, I remember that back in the 90's I auditioned a Creek amp, and was awestruck by how beautiful it sounded; just too expensive back then for my fresh out of college budget.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom