Wanted - Integrated amplifier or pre-power combination

[Richardl]

I fancy a change of amps and looking for a full width, preferably silver, must have a HT bypass/Unity gain. Budget is about £800. Let me know what you've got.

[struth]

Unity gain? Is that similar to a buffer amp

[Richardl]

It's an input that bypasses the pre-amp. It means you can use the integrated as a power amplifier for an AV set-up.

[hughandella]

I think you need to tell us what you are looking to drive --- how many speakers for example if it's to be used for AV too ? i might be missing sometg but you usually connect speakers to the power amp ? so i m guessing you want an integrated AV amp ora pre power AV amp ? .... I have what i think is the best power amp in the budget a Clones 25P but I wouldnt see it as a AV amp ...... i might have completely misunderstood you !!!!?

[Richardl]

I think you need to tell us what you are looking to drive --- how many speakers for example if it's to be used for AV too ? i might be missing sometg but you usually connect speakers to the power amp ? so i m guessing you want an integrated AV amp ora pre power AV amp ? .... I have what i think is the best power amp in the budget a Clones 25P but I wouldnt see it as a AV amp ...... i might have completely misunderstood you !!!!?


I'm just after a stereo amp to power a pair of Kef LS50's.
A HT bypass allows you to use an integrated amp for the front 2 channels of 5 channel (Or more) AV system. I've already got a pre-amp and power amp, but I fancy one box solution.....or just something that looks a bit better in my rack Eg a matching pre and power amp.

[Richardl]

Bump

[Wakefield Turntables]

New or Vintage? If it's vintage I can heartily recommended the Sansui AU919, a couple are now on eBay.

[Richardl]

New or Vintage? If it's vintage I can heartily recommended the Sansui AU919, a couple are now on eBay.

I can't imagine that will have a HT bypass. I know a lot of people love vintage amps on this forum, I can't justify spending a lot of money on an amp I don't know a lot about.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Richardl]

My favourite so far is this, but I think I must just be swayed by by how damm good it looks. I've also been looking at Naim, Music fidelity.

http://www.uk.onkyo.com/assets/1/9/8/2/2/A-9000R__S__Front_N3826x1886.jpg

[lafty]

My favourite so far is this, but I think I must just be swayed by by how damm good it looks. I've also been looking at Naim, Music fidelity.

http://www.uk.onkyo.com/assets/1/9/8/2/2/A-9000R__S__Front_N3826x1886.jpg

I'm looking for a new amp too and also came across the onkyo. Not many reviews around - Would be interested to know if anyone has any experience of this or equivalent onkyo gear.

[Simon_LDT]

Roksan Caspian? I believe it has HT bypass too. Will be slightly over budget (prob about £1k used for the integrated) but worth a look.

EDIT: There's a MK1 version here within budget, an example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roksan-Caspian-M-Series-1-Integrated-Amplifier-/141917047722

[Richardl]

Roksan Caspian? I believe it has HT bypass too. Will be slightly over budget (prob about £1k used for the integrated) but worth a look.

EDIT: There's a MK1 version here within budget, an example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roksan-Caspian-M-Series-1-Integrated-Amplifier-/141917047722

I'd forgot all about Roksan, they always seem to get good write ups in What hifi, but I'm always wary of what hifi, they always seem to like the same companies products.
Thanks for the suggestion Simon.

[DSJR]

The Caspian used to have a warm and fairly sweet tone. Not 'accurate' but lovely to listen to. The Onkyo may well be perfect for you and I'd forget any Naim if Hifi grade reproduction over a wide power output and bandwidth is needed - too low in power, too easily hard-clipped into small speakers, black casing and excessive new and some used prices..

One other I was going to suggest are the recent big Yamaha models. Retro early 70's switchgear (lovely) and they may have just what you need. Yamaha do seem to have loads of money to invest in DECENT audio gear amongst other industries and even their AV equipment is superb (and I remember Onkyo and Pioneer doing good ones too, rather better sounding than Denons and so on).

[Richardl]

The Caspian used to have a warm and fairly sweet tone. Not 'accurate' but lovely to listen to. The Onkyo may well be perfect for you and I'd forget any Naim if Hifi grade reproduction over a wide power output and bandwidth is needed - too low in power, too easily hard-clipped into small speakers, black casing and excessive new and some used prices..

One other I was going to suggest are the recent big Yamaha models. Retro early 70's switchgear (lovely) and they may have just what you need. Yamaha do seem to have loads of money to invest in DECENT audio gear amongst other industries and even their AV equipment is superb (and I remember Onkyo and Pioneer doing good ones too, rather better sounding than Denons and so on).


I don't need high output amp. I would have bought the Onkyo already, but it might have too high of an output for me, I usually find amps works best with the volume turned up to a certain point, that certain point might be a bit loud on a bigger amp......I hope that makes sense :-)
I'm guessing vintage amps don't have an AV bypass, so they'd be no good for me.

[Richardl]

All sorted now.......well for the time being :eyebrows: