Integrated 2 channel for the poor

blkwrxwgn · « **on:** 2 Dec 2004, 07:18 pm »

1 baby and 1 baby on the way= definition of a poor man.

I need a recomendation on a used 2 channel integrated unit tube or SS (prefer tube but tough to do on my budget) that can drive some fairly efficient speakers (90db) at 4ohms for...............................$300-400

Yeah I know pretty funny huh? I have a transport and DAC and great speakers but just hoping to hold on to as much of my audio stuff as I can while we are selling everything we own to save up for a home.

This is only a short term thing since I will do it right in about a year or so but for now I just need something for casual listening that will still make casual listening worth while.

Aaron

jswallac · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Dec 2004, 08:38 pm »

There is a used Jolida 1703 over at Agon for $275. It is a hybrid tube pre and SS power amp with plenty of power to drive your speakers. You can even go new if you want. NOrh makes a tube integrated SE9 that would probably work. Only thing I am not sure of is whether it will have problems with 4 ohm speakers. It is only $399 new.

Obie · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Dec 2004, 08:55 pm »

I had an Arcam integrated for years that was a nice, musical piece. I ended up giving it to my parents, and I enjoy listening to it every time I visit them. You should be able to find a fairly late model unit for a price you'd like.

The Cambridge Audio Azur stuff is really quite nice for the price.

These are just two pieces I've heard and liked.

Kj

blkwrxwgn · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Dec 2004, 08:59 pm »

Thanks jswallac and obie,

Yeah the 4ohm load might be too much for cheap tube I guess. That Jolida looks nice though. I won't be pushing these speakers too hard since we live in an apartment.

cjr888 · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Dec 2004, 11:30 pm »

Talk to Craig @ NOSValves (www.nosvalves.com). He does complete rebuilds and modifications for vintage enquipment such as Scott, Eico, and Fischer integrateds and receivers....and is extroidinarily cheap, but can go further at cost. I believe a basic rebuild runs $125.

If you have concerns about speaker matching I'm sure he can direct you to particular models to keep you eye out for. I don't personally own anything he's worked on, but there are tons of folks on the Klipsch forums who are extremely happy with his work.

F-100 · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Dec 2004, 11:53 pm »

Quote from: blkwrxwgn

1 baby and 1 baby on the way= definition of a poor man.

I have 3 toddlers = definition of a man in debt for the next 18 years.

Just a word of caution from my own experience. Stay away from those units with exposed tubes. Those little curious fingers will find their ways to touch the tubes sooner or later. I had to get rid of my ASL Orchid and Dared Tube amps and went with the Audio Valve Assistent 20 instead. The Assistent is a nice integrated tube amp (25W/ch). It doesn't have enough power to crank my Ref1 but good enough for normal listening session.
Good Luck.

Hantra · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Dec 2004, 11:59 pm »

I second the Jolida. I think it's the 1501 that I had. It's 100 watts I think into 8, and is hybrid. Good sounding piece for sure. One of the best for the money. .

jswallac · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 01:09 am »

The 1501 and the 1703 are quite similar. The 1501 is indeed 100 into 8 x 2, whereas the 1703 is 75 into 6 ohms x 3. The 1703 is Jolida's solution to 5 channel HT. Simply combine a 1501 and a 1703 and presto!

BradJudy · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 01:36 am »

Aaron,

Given the other places I see you around, I'm surprised you didn't just pick up an Onix A-60. Any reason?

blkwrxwgn · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 02:51 am »

Quote from: BradJudy

Aaron,

Given the other places I see you around, I'm surprised you didn't just pick up an Onix A-60. Any reason?

I'm in denial! I just sold my A-120 for $250 a few months ago!!! arrghhh.

So it would hurt badly to pay $299 for a lower powered unit. I would love to find another A-120.

Zero · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 03:22 am »

Jolidas hybrid integrated units are great for the money, especially if you can go used.

You can also try to find a used NAD / AMC / Rotel/ Parasound pre amplifier and a TEAC (see the multi channel forum) amplifier.

cdenyer · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 04:18 am »

Why not check out ebay for some vintage gear.

I got a Marantz 2220B Receiver and a pair of AR7 speakers for a small outlay (all up around $200 Aust dollars in 2 seperate auctions.)

All of the 2xxx series marantz sound great and most can be had very cheap. Or Sansui, Luxman etc.

My combo makes excellent music, I do think though that older amps/receivers seem to be better matched with speakers from around same era.
My 2 cents

maggy · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 05:22 am »

Chinese CD player into Chinese tube amp into either a pair of Omegas or Ed's Horns

maxwalrath · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 05:28 am »

I'll third the Jolida integrateds at that price. They give amazing sound for the buck...I don't think a solid state combo at that price can begin to compare. I only compared it directly to a NAD ss integrated. I forget the model but I went to a dealer planning to buy the NAD at about $700 and left with the 301 for less than half the price and it smoked the NAD. Really smoked it.

blkwrxwgn · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 06:14 am »

I think I might go for a Jolida 1501RC. Any thoughts on that? A little more money but not too bad.

Oh and I have speakers already. I have Onix Reference 2's. Those are the speakers I brought up at the start, 90db efficiency and 4ohms.

Hantra · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 11:09 am »

Quote from: blkwrxwgn

I think I might go for a Jolida 1501RC. Any thoughts on that? A little more money but not too bad.

I don't think you'll be disappointed. Great sound for the money, the amp is very tweakable, and Jolida's customer support is light years beyone some of the very expensive brands out there. . .

blkwrxwgn · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 07:49 pm »

That's what I'm going with. 1501RC

I didn't realize until I looked at my subs that I need a low pass output for my subs since that's the only option on them. But Jolida will add one to any of their units and Howard over at underwood hifi gave me a great price on a new one done that way. $690 shipped with the added on sub out.

I don't care about subs with music but I do want to add my DVD player to this and want the subs for movies.

jswallac · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Dec 2004, 01:06 am »

There is an easy solution to this. Since you are using a DVD player as your source, you do not need to involve the amp with the subwoofer. I assume you are using a powered sub with line level inputs. Just connect directly to the subwoofer out from the DVD player to the subs input.

Dmason · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Dec 2004, 08:43 pm »

I have a friend with the 1501. Very grown up sound. I really like what jolida did with it. Very easy to upgrade as you go, and it responded nicely to each upgrade.

8thnerve · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Dec 2004, 09:08 pm »

Quote from: jswallac

There is an easy solution to this. Since you are using a DVD player as your source, you do not need to involve the amp with the subwoofer. I assume you are using a powered sub with line level inputs. Just connect directly to the subwoofer out from the DVD player to the subs input.

How do you adjust the volume?