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OreoCookie · Mar 26, 2008, 08:12 AM

My old, trusty Marantz amp is dying (well, one channel is dying

), so I'm looking for a new one. A while ago some of you audiophiles recommended NAD and I really like their design as well. Right now, I'm thinking about whether to get an older amp (e. g. the 3130) or a newer one (a 315 BEE or 320 BEE).

Which one would you recommend? How much should I spend for each of them? Since my Marantz receiver is working `most of the time', I'm not pressed for time yet, so I have time to look for a decent deal. I could get a 3130 for about 150 €, but this seems a bit expensive.

Ideally, I would like a remote control (on/off, volume suffices). Unfortunately only the newer receivers have digital optical inputs (which is what my Airport Express uses), but these are a bit more expensive.

Any recommendations? Or alternatives?

richwig83 · Mar 26, 2008, 09:37 AM

I got a NAD 320 http://www.zenn.com.sg/NAD_320_Integrated.JPG

Bought it about 5 years ago for 180GBP and its brilliant, the 320BEE is the new version of mine. Sound and build quality far surpasses sony/technice etc etc!

G4ME · Mar 26, 2008, 10:07 AM

Rotel got some nice stuff too, but i have never heard either so yours guess is as good as mine.

- - e r i k - - · Mar 26, 2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by richwig83

I got a NAD 320 http://www.zenn.com.sg/NAD_320_Integrated.JPG

Bought it about 5 years ago for 180GBP and its brilliant, the 320BEE is the new version of mine. Sound and build quality far surpasses sony/technice etc etc!

OMG. Memories of DJing in primary school brought back!

OreoCookie · Mar 26, 2008, 10:42 AM

Glad you like yours

Essentially, I have just to decide whether it's `worth it' to buy a new model or buy an older used one. Power is not an issue, I have a small apartment and my Wharfedale speakers (70th anniversary edition) don't need much power.

OreoCookie · Mar 26, 2008, 03:33 PM

I got a C320 BEE off ebay, the only gripe I have is that it's silver (I prefer black), but it'll blend in somehow.

vmarks · Mar 26, 2008, 08:21 PM

Why wouldn't you repair the Marantz?

Get a schematic, scope it, figure what component is failing, and replace it with the equivalent new part.

OreoCookie · Mar 27, 2008, 04:05 AM

My brother asked his friend's father (who does this for a living) and the price he quoted was about half of what the new one cost. I would have liked to keep it a bit longer, at least until I move next time.

y2krinku · Jun 6, 2008, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Glad you like yours

Essentially, I have just to decide whether it's `worth it' to buy a new model or buy an older used one. Power is not an issue, I have a small apartment and my Wharfedale speakers (70th anniversary edition) don't need much power.

Which speakers do you have. Rank Wharfedale (Sep 1970)? I have one which I need an amp to support.

I have the following information in the manual:

12" unit- Magnet 11,500 oersteds
Bass resonance approx 17 Hz
5" mid range unit: Magnet 12000 oersted
1" treble range unit: Magnet 12000 oersteds
Moving cone mass 0.2 of a gram
Cross over frequencies 450 HZ and 3000HZ
Power handling capacity 35 watt rms
Impedence: Suitable for amp having an impedence between 4-8 ohms
feq range : depends on cabinet size and construction but generally no owrse than 40 Hz - 20000hz. I have a very large wood cabinet (more than 4 feet in height)

I don't know which one would be the best Marantz 6002, nad 315 bee or Cambridge audio 350/640?

OreoCookie · Jun 7, 2008, 06:38 AM

My speakers are 70th Anniversary Speakers, they're not from the 70s, I bought them new in 2004 or 2005.

Meanwhile, I've replaced my amp with a NAD 320 BEE and I really like the sound