Integrated Advice

[selby]

I need to source an integrated amp with phono for sub £500 - I've got some efficient speakers 94dB so have started to think should I consider valves, but is there anything I can buy for that kind of money?

[struth]

there are not many valve integrated amps around so if you go that way you will need to buy an external phono and make sure there s enough line level connections to suit you. You will certainly get a Chinese valve amp for that kind of money second hand, you might be better off sticking to SS if you want it all for that kind of money.

[selby]

I was thinking about maybe a Tisbury pre so I could actually just use a stereo valve. I don't need a loud/powerful system but just looking for the best sound I can get for £500, prefer used/vintage kit.

[walpurgis]

With luck, £500 might just get you a used Sugden A21a. That would take some beating at the price!

[selby]

Oh Sugden A21a looks very interesting - I'll add that to the list of things to try and find and buy.

[selby]

With my speakers being 94dB efficient I was wondering if I should consider something simple and low powered? For example the NVA AP10X but are there other simple amplifiers I could consider?

[chelsea]

Audio innovations s500 or marantz pm4

[chris@panteg]

Or a Marantz Pearl Lite 2nd hand, good phono stage and a fine all round amp .

[Yomanze]

With my speakers being 94dB efficient I was wondering if I should consider something simple and low powered? For example the NVA AP10X but are there other simple amplifiers I could consider?

At your budget, this is definitely one to consider. Great thing is you can send it back & get a full refund if you're not happy within 30 days. If I recall correctly there's a bit of a scene around the AP10 & sensitive speakers in the Italian market.

You could stretch to the AP20 though (with change for some NVA speaker cable), which may well be more appropriate.

[Martyn Miles]

Buy an Arcam Alpha, available used for about £30, and spend the rest on music...