biscuitdough wrote: Fri Sep 03, 2021 9:07 pm
I picked up a pair of Boston Acoustics A100s and am now thinking that my Optimus SRA3500 (a mediocre Pioneer receiver, rebadged for Radio Shack) might be due for an upgrade. What's a solid integrated amp I can pick up used for $200-300 that can be recapped by an amateur if the need arises? You sometimes see the NAD stuff in that price range. Or should I just save up and get a current Yamaha?
just had a cruise through ebay. there are lots of NAD, Rotel, Musical Fidelity, Cambridge Audio, Rega integrateds available. i saw a Creek which is great, and Arcam, which is pretty good. Of the japanese brands, I favor Marantz, Luxman and Denon. Maybe Onkyo. I never heard a Yamaha amp that i thought sounded good, but I have not heard one for 20 years, so they may be better. They do look the business, tho.
My favorite all time used integrated amp is the Tandberg 3012. I fear the secret is out about them, as there is one on ebay right now but it is $800. Which is too much. There is broken one for $250, but who knows how much that would be to fix.
Any of the above would kill maim murder and destroy the amp you have now. Good luck.