Cheap integrated with an excellent phono stage?

coverto · « **on:** 6 Mar 2012, 05:08 am »

Looking for one of these, a diamond in the rough that can be found on eBay for a couple hundred bucks... thinking vintage pawn shop type stuff, open to solid state as well as tubes. Was thinking along the lines of an Audiolab 8000A, curious for any thoughts, opinions, experiences... thanks !

thunderbrick · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 05:12 am »

NAD 3020. Not much power, but oh, man, is it sweet!

TONEPUB · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 05:35 am »

The Advent 300 receiver. Another one like the 3020.

Or if you can go amp and pre, consider a Hafler DH-101 and the orignal amp (DH100?) Should be able to pick that combo up for about $200.

charmerci · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 06:33 am »

Or you could check our own AC amplification ads here.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=103.30

This is page 2 with a $300 integrated for sale and there's a super cheap NAD 304 on p. 4.

corndog71 · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 02:43 pm »

Outlaw RR2150

coverto · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 09:11 pm »

Hey, my cup runneth over! Thanks for these great suggestions - I actually had been thinking NAD as well. I'd be very curious if folks have any thoughts about the NAD 3020 vs other models including the 304.

And still more curious, TonePub, whether you or anyone else out there could give an account of how the Advent 300 compares to the 3020? Any particular caveats or advice when sifting for one of these? I'm paranoid about caps, of course...

raysracing · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 09:53 pm »

I really enjoyed the sound of my Proton D540 and just retired it last week. I'd sell it cheap, but it has just enough issues that it is not currently sell-able. It came with a matching tuner and could also be run mono if you could find another Proton amp that matched it for impressive power output.

if you find one it has a good very good amp in it (with tons of headroom), MC and MM stages and adjustable capacitance, pre outs and main ins too. It is from the early 90's though and it weighs a ton as it has large transformers, braced chassis and cooling fins throughout. Impressive little int. amp.

coverto · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 11:44 pm »

Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies. I ended up snagging an Advent 300 on eBay for $100 and I am a happy camper - this setup puts a lot of higher-priced digital to shame.