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OreoCookie · Oct 31, 2005, 02:53 AM

I'm thinking of getting a new amp, it's not urgend, my old Marantz receiver (model 4240) is doing fine, but I was wondering whether a new amp makes sense. There is a strong financial constraint of about 300 Euros. I would have no problems with used equipment.

I don't need new speakers, mine are relatively new (Wharfedale 70th anniversary speakers, small bookshelf speakers with great sound) and I don't need an upgrade for those (if I upgrade, I can upgrade my neighbors as well with ones who don't complain about noise).

What are your suggestions? Since there is no urgent need, I can wait for a good deal on ebay or so.

Warung · Oct 31, 2005, 03:24 AM

I just bought a Marantz PM 4001 OSE @ MediaMarkt for 350,- € and lovin' it.

screamingFit · Oct 31, 2005, 04:37 AM

When you amplify an intrument through a Hi-Fi, you're "coloring" the sound too much (well, at least for my taste).

Line 6 has some pretty neat amps with built-in effects that are quite cheap. And you can never really go wrong with anything from Marshall, either.

Railroader · Oct 31, 2005, 04:56 AM

First you say an amp colors the sound too much and then you recommend amps that have built-in effects?

Goldfinger · Oct 31, 2005, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by screamingFit

When you amplify an intrument through a Hi-Fi, you're "coloring" the sound too much (well, at least for my taste).

Line 6 has some pretty neat amps with built-in effects that are quite cheap. And you can never really go wrong with anything from Marshall, either.

Who said anything about amplifying instruments ?

Goldfinger · Oct 31, 2005, 05:13 AM

Oh dear, the forums are really ****ed up.

Athens · Oct 31, 2005, 05:15 AM

alot of posts are doing this

OreoCookie · Oct 31, 2005, 05:39 AM

I'm not playing any instruments. My musical talent is limited to play, stop and skip

Just to make sure, I was talking about a hifi amplifier.

Kevin · Oct 31, 2005, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by screamingFit

When you amplify an intrument through a Hi-Fi, you're "coloring" the sound too much (well, at least for my taste).

Line 6 has some pretty neat amps with built-in effects that are quite cheap. And you can never really go wrong with anything from Marshall, either.

I think he was talking about reproducing audio that was already made. LIke playing a record or CD.

And Line 6.. meh.

screamingFit · Oct 31, 2005, 06:21 AM

OK. Yeah, I assumed he was playing an instrument through the amp. I'll take the dumb-ass award for the day.

RAILhead · Oct 31, 2005, 09:22 AM

Heh, Line-6 is TEH SUCK.

MacNStein · Oct 31, 2005, 10:07 AM

For that price range Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, and Yamaha make some pretty good gear. Find a model from one of those brands that offers the most bang for the buck, and the features that you want, and you'll be set.

Y3a · Oct 31, 2005, 11:43 AM

Crown DC-300a
Crown PSA-2

both are pretty cheap, but will give you a lot of headroom, very low distortion at the 50 watts/channel(RMS) level and if ya wanna crank it! Jeez!

skewwiff · Oct 31, 2005, 03:31 PM

NADs

G4ME · Oct 31, 2005, 03:31 PM

its down there right under this typing

G4ME · Oct 31, 2005, 03:31 PM

its down there, right under this typing

G4ME · Oct 31, 2005, 03:31 PM

its down there, right under this typing

G4ME · Oct 31, 2005, 03:35 PM

its down there, right under this typing

skewwiff · Oct 31, 2005, 04:04 PM

I don't care how many times you post Crown. I say NADs!

MacNStein · Oct 31, 2005, 04:15 PM

I think he specified 300€, which means no NAD (or Crown for that matter).

Besides, I'm pretty sure he's looking for another receiver, and I wasn't aware that Crown even built a receiver.

Goldfinger · Oct 31, 2005, 04:15 PM

LOL; they really need to fix this posting issue. And skewwif has 2 posts, yet his postcount says 1.

OreoCookie · Oct 31, 2005, 05:31 PM

The NADs' design is really, really nice. Too bad they are so expensive

Kevin · Oct 31, 2005, 05:55 PM

He he ehehhe he sad NAD.

OreoCookie · Oct 31, 2005, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by MacNStein

I think he specified 300€, which means no NAD (or Crown for that matter).

Besides, I'm pretty sure he's looking for another receiver, and I wasn't aware that Crown even built a receiver.

Nah, not really. But the money is an issue. The cheapest NAD amp I've seen was more than twice as expensive.

MacNStein · Nov 1, 2005, 09:12 AM

I suppose I'm confused then. Are you wanting an amplifier (which means you'll have to have a preamp/processor) or are you wanting something integrated (usually a receiver)?

If you're wanting to get just an amp for 300€, you may be out of luck unless you can find a closeout or used unit, and even then the choices are very limited... buying a pre/pro and an amp would be almost impossible, IMO.

OreoCookie · Nov 1, 2005, 09:43 AM

I just need something I can plug my computer into which amplifies the signal. I don't have a preamp, I would like something integrated. I was thinking of something used which is an improvement over what I got. And my current receiver, even though it's plenty old, was a huge improvement over the cheapo Sony amp I had before.

residentEvil · Nov 1, 2005, 10:05 AM

Onkyo M-282

Just a plain old stere amp with line IN/OUT and binding posts for speakers. Specs: 100 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD

About $260 or less.

CMYKid · Nov 1, 2005, 10:52 AM

LIne 6's Pod is great when used the right way...as in on instruments other than a guitar. Beyond that, yeah, not a fan.

Crown is, sadly, not so much the powerhouse they used to be. All our touring racks used to be nothing but Crown MX, ditto the rest of the industry, however thats not so much the case anymore. However, the older gear is for the most part rock solid.

While G4MEs Frankenspeaker closet system is NOT a good example of quality classic gear there definitely is a ton of gently used good equipment around and you shouldnt have any trouble getting a pampered Crown amp and a used Tuner/Pre for right around your budget if you want to go the component route.

I see barely used NAD stuff in pawn shops all the time for a few hundred or less.

effgee · Nov 1, 2005, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

The NADs' design is really, really nice. Too bad they are so expensive

Guckstu' hier ... I have no clue how much NAD amps usually go for on ebay.de but the 3020 (auction ending in 2 hours) seems reasonably priced. My little HT setup (Receiver/DVD player) is all NAD - good stuff, highly recommended.

OreoCookie · Nov 1, 2005, 12:31 PM

I definitely love the design. I'll keep an eye on the auctions and then get what I want

G4ME · Nov 1, 2005, 09:21 PM

quality products last for ages go used

loki74 · Nov 2, 2005, 01:25 AM

Yes, quality products last.

My dad has a very old NAD tape deck (think its a tape deck, dont entirely remember...) I just remember that it was VERY good quality. Havent seen it in ages though...

Railroader · Nov 2, 2005, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by G4ME

quality products last for ages go used

And metal corrodes and plastic hardens.

Railroader · Nov 2, 2005, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by effgee

Guckstu' hier ...

Bless you.

effgee · Nov 2, 2005, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Bless you.