Can I get some <$300 receiver/amp recommendations?

teraflame · « **on:** 28 Aug 2009, 08:08 am »

I'm going to buy some Neo 2X soon. Just looking for 2 channel stereo and adding a sub in the future.

MaxCast · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 11:29 am »

Great choice with the 2X's and welcome to AudioCircle.
Do you need a receiver or just the amp? Do you want a tuner as a source?
This is a bit over budget
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=66850.0
Or put these two together
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70778.0
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70986.0

Be sure to check craigs list in your area too.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 05:42 pm »

Experience is the best teacher....so.... I'm moving your question over to Danny's circle (GR Research)...there you'll get some help from fellow GR owners...good luck in your quest...and welcome.

dvenardos · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 08:33 pm »

A couple of recommendations here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=70596.0

laserman · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 08:37 pm »

Teraflame,

Welcome to AC!

IMHO, if you are going to get a pair of Neo 2x's then I strongly recommend you double or even triple your forecasted budget. Depending on your tastes, you may want to look into integrated amp offerings by Cambridge Audio, Music Hall, Creek, Rega and Outlaw. If you are wanting/needing a tuner section also, then you may want to search for refurbished vintage receivers by Marantz, Pioneer and Yamaha.

Good luck in your hunt for front end gear,
Lou

fcraven · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 10:39 pm »

Quote from: laserman on 28 Aug 2009, 08:37 pm

IMHO, if you are going to get a pair of Neo 2x's then I strongly recommend you double or even triple your forecasted budget.

Ignore that highfalutin talk

Dern, Audiophile.

You can get whatever you like and you don't need to spend six to nine hundred dollars, but you may want to stay away from new stuff... (not that it's not bad advice, I wish I could take it) $300 is a limited budget but at least you invested in some great speakers, that will get even better as you improve your equipment.

Since I used most of my budget on speakers, I'm running them from a Yamaha receiver (which was less than $500 on sale at Best Buy). High class, no, but my home theater/Stereo kicks the butt of every stereo system, home theater, or other on the block.

I'm know my Neo 2X towers aren't living up to their full potential but they still sound great.

Doublej · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 11:34 pm »

Cambridge Audio Azur 640A v2.0 on sale at Audio Advisor for $369.99.

Only problem is no subwoofer out, perhaps you could use the tape out.

dvenardos · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 12:21 am »

Anyone tried a gizmo with the Neo's?
The current version blinks when it is off, some people just leave them on since the draw is minimal.
http://tweakcityaudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=18&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

yoder · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 01:45 am »

I would recommend 2-channel integrated. The improvement in sound quality over a similarly priced receiver is significant. If you get a sub with high level inputs, you don't need a sub out.

Here's a couple more good used integrated amps:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1255541753&/NAD-C352-

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1256065250&/Music-Hall-a25.2-Great-Integra

corndog71 · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 02:14 am »

I recommend saving up for something better like the Outlaw RR2150.

Unless you go used there just isn't very much great sounding gear that cheap.

Save your money and buy the best you can afford. It will be worth it in the long run.

teraflame · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 02:54 am »

I have no problem buying used. Is the Music Hall fairly priced?

Mariusz · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 03:56 am »

$375 on Agon but seller might be motivated enough to lower his asking price for serious buyer.
Very nice integrated.

Mariusz

S Clark · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 04:03 am »

Quote from: Doublej on 28 Aug 2009, 11:34 pm

Cambridge Audio Azur 640A v2.0 on sale at Audio Advisor for $369.99.

Only problem is no subwoofer out, perhaps you could use the tape out.

Cambridge stuff has a giant killer rep. This might be a very good recommendation. There is a Cambridge 640 integrated right now over on A'gon for $275

Mariusz · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 04:13 am »

Pioneer Elite SX-A9-J is another one that I was going to mention but it just got sold and it might have been a little over your budget at $450 (List-$999). Half of list seems reasonable. This stereo integrated was build with audiophiles in mind and it was probably one of the most ambitious projects lately undertaken by Pioneer. I haven't heard it personally but I did listen to CDP from the same series. And if CDP's quality is any indication of this stereo dedicated series then you should try to locate a place to audition this integrated amp.

Mariusz

stlrman · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 04:40 am »

Onkyo A-9555 . I heard it , and it sounding great ! Person is asking , $375 on Audiogon , Good review in Stereophile
Well worth it for this price !

doug s. · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 06:04 am »

i would recommend something like a wintage sansui au717. not only will it easily sonically compete w/anything more modern anywhere near its price, imo, but it has preamp outs/main inputs. what this means, is when you are ready, you can add an outboard active x-over, use the sansui's amp for subs, and get a nice tube amp for the neo's.

more modern (and expensive) integrated amps that have pre-outs/main-ins include creek gear.

doug s.

cujobob · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 04:07 pm »

A used first watt clone with a passive attenuator would be perfect. My First Watt F5 clone is incredible with my Neo2x

Sparky14 · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Aug 2009, 04:31 am »

I've got a Music Hall A25.2 driving Neo2Xs if you have any specific questions:)

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Aug 2009, 05:52 am »

Quote from: S Clark on 29 Aug 2009, 04:03 am

Cambridge stuff has a giant killer rep.

It does indeed. Good advice.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 Aug 2009, 06:09 am »

You might want to check out the Outlaw 1050 I am selling here on Audio Circle. Outlaw has been mentioned above by a couple of folks. The RR2150 that was suggested gets quite nice reviews, but I've never seen it for less than $475 used.

I found the 1050 to be a great starter receiver. Super 2 channel sound, and can do 6.1 surround sound. It was a fabulous stepping stone, since I could use it for 2-channel or home theater depending on my needs. I also loved that it could be used as a preamp once I upgraded amplifiers. If you see the receiver you are shopping for as a stepping stone to more high end equipment later on, an integrated that can also provide outputs to a separate amp is a great option.

The 1050 may not be a great fit, if you have no plans for home theater in your future. But if you plan on moving to separates later on, having the integrated being able to function as a pre is real nice. Not sure at all how common that option is (been awhile since I shopped for an integrated), but I've found it swell.