[maxwalrath]

My buddy is searching for something affordable (sub-$500) to replace an outdated receiver. The main qualification is that it is remote controlled for input and volume. He listens to a lot of acoustic stuff, some a-capella/vocal, jam bands (Phish, My Morning Jacket, other funky/soulful stuff) etc. Nothing at neighbor-offending volumes, so I imagine some low end heft can be sacrificed for midrange sweetness.

I haven't been around here much lately and don't know the newer cheaper products well. He loves the idea of tubes, and I imagine a used Jolida 1501RC I told him about a while ago might do the trick (used and cheaper are pluses), but I don't know if other tube amp manufacturers are doing exciting stuff in that price range. And I'm sure there are great digital amps to be had for cheap. Sources are ipod, squeezebox and tv. Speakers are Meadowlark Vireo.

[JLM]

How about a Harmon Kardon stereo receiver?  They have 2 that MSRP under $500, offer good power, great full bodied/warm sound, and beefy power supplies.  The big one has several useful features.  And they'll offer more features with less fuss than a tubed integrated.

[Cacophonix]

Don't forget to check out NAD. I have used c320bee and c325bee and loved them. They are inexpensive, and sound very very good.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I second the HK receiver.  You can get the HK 3490 receiver with preamp out, bass management, phono preamp and dual sub out for about $400.  Nice warm sound, high current amp.  Pair this with a good CD player or DAC like a Maverick tube D1 or the new D2 and you will have some pretty good sound. Plus you can always add an amp as it has preamp out.  Or consider the Outlaw Audio RR2150. 

The Maverick Tube Magic D1 DAC/pre really has a nice sweet midrange.

[Mike Nomad]

+1 on NAD. Terrific bang for the buck.

[shadowlight]

Be on the lookout for Jolida 502rc hybrid amps on Audiogon

[corndog71]

I also recommend NAD integrated amps. 

I do not recommend ANY receiver! They will always compromise the sound with all of those extra features.

[yeldarb]

Onkyo integrated amps sound pretty well and have phono boards, too.  Try Accessories4less, for factory refurbs at a good discount.

[JLM]

I do not recommend ANY receiver! They will always compromise the sound with all of those extra features.

I do disagree (for stereo receivers).  Purely speaking a receiver only adds a tuner (many integrateds also have pre-amp and subwoofer outputs).  Often more receivers are sold than integrateds, so economy of scale favors better pricing for receivers, and many main stream companies sell basically the same components in the integrates as the receivers. 

As this is the "cheap and cheerful" circle and the OP asked for cheap, we must keep in mind that better than mid-fi is not to be expected.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

The problem with lower end integrated amps are that they are usually low power amps in the 30-50wpc range which is usually just all you need unless you have some inefficient speakers and you like to listen to dynamic music at loud levels.  It would help to know what speakers he will be using.

The midfi HK receivers (HK 3490) are high current, 45 peak amps, high power 120 wpc at 8 ohms, warmer sound (which will be more forgiving with his type of music) and are well reviewed for the most part with ton's of features.  It can be had for a huge discount on amazon for $299 (definetly cheap and cheerful).  I think at that price point it's a no brainer compared to a low powered $400 integrated.

For a cheap integrated however, consider a Cambridge Audio 350A, about $450 with a remote.

[srb]

The problem with lower end integrated amps are that they are usually low power amps in the 30-50wpc range which is usually just all you need unless you have some inefficient speakers and you like to listen to dynamic music at loud levels. It would help to know what speakers he will be using.

As stated in the original post - Meadowlark Vireo, not terribly sensitive at 86dB.
 
Steve

[Bob in St. Louis]

I second the HK receiver.  You can get the HK 3490 receiver with preamp out, bass management, phono preamp and dual sub out for about $400.

Wow. 
As a self proclaimed HK fanboy, I was unaware they had such features for such a low price.

I use a H/K AVR645 for home theater use, as well as two channel use and its internal DAC and preouts have impressed their fair share of listeners to my humble room. Without making excuses, I might add. If I didn't need the bells and whistles as well as the shear amount of in/outputs, that 3490 with a phono section would be on my short list.

Bob

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Oops! I didnt catch that last bit about his speakers

Then more power would certainly help with dynamics, even at low level listening.

[JLM]

I keep the HK receiver, Oppo 93/95, and appropriate speakers on my short list of affordable, flexible, simple, quality system recommendations.  They make me wish I had more money and fewer systems around the house.

[Early B.]

I use an HK 3480 stereo receiver on my wife's system. It's OK for her, but it sucks for any critical listening. A great sounding, tubed integrated amp with remote control for under $500 doesn't exist. Tell your friend to take his time, buy separates, and increase his budget by about $250. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I use an HK 3480 stereo receiver on my wife's system. It's OK for her, but it sucks for any critical listening. A great sounding, tubed integrated amp with remote control for under $500 doesn't exist. Tell your friend to take his time, buy separates, and increase his budget by about $250.

What digital source is she using.  I have found that using quality sources really makes a significant difference in the sound of lower priced amps and receivers.  But I certainly agree that better sound can be had for a little more money especially if you go used.  Even the Outlaw RR2150 receiver would be a big step up.  It will however be difficult to find separates with remotes for $600. 

I would certainly take a look at the HLLY Audio preamp and pair that with a digital amp.

http://www.hllyhifi.com/hlly-amkii-preamplifier-ad797-cs3310-mod-version-p-298.html

And one of these Tripath amps or ice power amps

http://www.hllyhifi.com/hlly-tamp90-90w-class-t-amp-amplifier-tripath-ta2022-p-187.html

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1325009790&/B-O-Icepower-125ASX2-amplifier

[jlafrenz]

I had a Jolida FX10 that was a great sounding little amp. It is in the price range and I preferred it to the 1501 which I owned, as well.

[srb]

I had a Jolida FX10 that was a great sounding little amp. It is in the price range and I preferred it to the 1501 which I owned, as well.

While it may be great sounding, I don't think I would mate the FX10 or any 10W/ch amplifier with 86dB speakers, though.
 
Steve

[Foks]

Forget about RC - it's actually better not to have it anyways - grab the ancient Pioneer A400 for $100 and look no further. "The Pioneer was a giant killer which wiped the floor with almost every other amplifier in its price bracket and many more above it" (http://www.hi-fi-insight.com/pioneer-a400-integrated-amplifier.html).
All it probably requires after all this years is a bit of TLC - cleaning of the circuit board, perhaps some re-soldering or replacing aging capacitors with fresh M-Caps or Hovland equivalents, and your friend will be one happy bunny 
I was using this amp for over 5yrs, untill I was able to splash on Densen Beat 100 ($1000 second-hand, and no RC either)
Happy hunting 

[JLM]

For a bit more coin look at the cheaper Aussie Redgum integrated, their Son of a Gun.  Its a bit pricey these days with the soft U.S. dollar, but the Chinese built 60 wpc integrated uses their same design as their native built models and offers better value with terrific sound.