A decent integrated

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

A friend of mine is looking for a decent integrated amplifier for not much outlay. Phono stage would be good too.

Her speakers are Tannoys but can't remember the type.

Can anyone recommend something, old or new it's not an issue so long as it sounds decent.

Many thanks:eek:

[Pigmy Pony]

Sony's old ES range of integrateds with phono look like a lot of sound per pound. Robert (Robbiegong) would be a good source of info on quality Japanese amps.

[walpurgis]

What about a Denon PMA-350SE? My favourite budget amp!

A good one is under £100 on ebay. They sound remarkably nice through Tannoys and offer a useful and punchy 50 watts. If you're lucky, you'll find one with the excellent optional phono stage already included. I've had a couple of these and they always make me smile when I try them 'cos they sound so darn good, the transparency is way better than you'd expect.

Just did a search and found this very nice example with phono stage here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PMA-350SE-Integrated-Amplifer-internal-phono-card-FULLY-WORKING-amp-black/163582609629?epid=110917885&hash=item26164888dd:g:vekAAOSwqHFce9HC

[bbbiker800]

not much wrong with Arcam Alpha Amps. I think from 5 to 10 they all carried and internal phono stage ??. Cheap on ebay and lots of them generally

[RobbieGong]

What about a Denon PMA-350SE? My favourite budget amp!

A good one is under £100 on ebay. They sound remarkably nice through Tannoys and offer a useful and punchy 50 watts. If you're lucky, you'll find one with the excellent optional phono stage already included. I've had a couple of these and they always make me smile when I try them 'cos they sound so darn good, the transparency is way better than you'd expect.

Just did a search and found this very nice example with phono stage here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-PMA-350SE-Integrated-Amplifer-internal-phono-card-FULLY-WORKING-amp-black/163582609629?epid=110917885&hash=item26164888dd:g:vekAAOSwqHFce9HC


Yeah, nice amp the Denon especially at that money about 50wpc I believe.

The Sony TA-F540E is another cracking budget piece as Scott (AlexB) here has found https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?63182-Sony-TA-F540E 90wpc and nice solid build - A lot of amp for what they go for.

This Sony TA-F630 ES is another very nice amp at £149. 80wpc and great build as is the case with the Sony ES's https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-TA-F630ES-amplifier-superb-sound-original-manual-FREE-P-P-read-description/303089581496?hash=item46918bfdb8:g:pjYAAOSwE6Vcgrt V

My recommendation is to always factor in a service and check over with any used amps / kit for peace of mind and enjoying these things at their best.

[Firebottle]

I have a Kenwood KA-1030 with phono stage that I am looking for £40 for.

:)

I will be taking it to the Wam show at Kegworth to go in the bring and buy next weekend if not interested.

[dantheman91]

My Denon PMA 350SE is up for sale at £50 but if you need posting im not sure how much this would be - also no Phono stage included with this one..

[walpurgis]

My Denon PMA 350SE is up for sale at £50 but if you need posting im not sure how much this would be - also no Phono stage included with this one..

I posted an amp about the same size this week via Parcelforce and it cost £18.

[hifinutt]

there will be plenty of amps at kegworth i think . firebottle and i may be taking a big philips FA880 too which is rather good

[Pigmy Pony]

I did not know there was a bring & buy there - so I will bring my Bow Wazoo XL which I haven't got round to putting on eBay yet. Sorry about the thread hijack Josie, as you were.

[Jac Hawk]

Josie everyone is going to give you something different to consider, if I was looking for something sub £100 I'd be looking at a late 70's or early 80's Technics class A

[The Black Adder]

Thanks all.

Another option is something like a quad 405-2 with a passive or maybe a 303?

Just thinking about the cohesion with tannoy speakers. Quad are a good match me thinks.

The Sony amps look nice though I must admit.

Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk

[The Black Adder]

Josie everyone is going to give you something different to consider, if I was looking for something sub £100 I'd be looking at a late 70's or early 80's Technics class ATechnics... Not thought of them.

How about TRIO too?

Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk

[AJSki2fly]

Hi all.

A friend of mine is looking for a decent integrated amplifier for not much outlay. Phono stage would be good too.

Her speakers are Tannoys but can't remember the type.

Can anyone recommend something, old or new it's not an issue so long as it sounds decent.

Many thanks:eek:

Josie

I have a Marantz PM40SE which is a very nice amp, it was my back up amp, and I was going to use in second system, but not going to now. All I want is £70 plus P&P.

or see

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Cambridge-Audio-P25-MKII-Phono-Integrated-Amplifier/110931326?iid=254139001620&chn=ps

Personally I think you friend would get a better result phono wise with a https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cambridge-Audio-Azur-651-MM-MC-Phono-Stage/153401082327?hash=item23b76ac1d7:g:YNUAAOSwRW9cfBC y

these are great MM/MC phonostages and what I started with

Or if your friend is going to go MM then https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-AZUR-540P-MM-Phono-Pre-Amplifier/283408477698?epid=110899711&hash=item41fc762e02:g:9CIAAOSwAzVcgXQs

Cheers

Adrian

[icehockeyboy]

I recently bought an Onkyo A9211 for my bedroom system , and have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is!
A healthy 60 wpc, and a phono Input too.
Outlets for 2 sets of speakers too if that’s important to you.
I’d certainly recommend it for a system without too much outlay.

[Svend N]

Josie, does your friend have any preferences about sound character? As in, very detailed, fast, light-footed; or more fluid, rounded, tube-like? Answering that question might narrow it down. If more fluid, tube-like sound is what she likes, I can highly recommend the older Sugden integrateds like the A28. I have the separates versions of that model (C28/P28) and they sound outstanding. They lack only a bit of detail in their presentation, otherwise they are hard to fault. Very full sound, dynamic, punchy, but never harsh. Phono stage is very good also. I've not heard many Tannoys, so can't comment on matching, but they sound great with my KEF Ref. 103.2 and have no trouble driving what can be a difficult speaker for many amps of lower power (used in a small room being the caveat there). Prices of the older Sugden gear should be reasonable.

Best of luck finding something.

Svend

[The Black Adder]

Hi Svend.

She likes my amp sound which is a very good valve amp so I'd like to recommend something to match with that in a way. Her speakers are 12" Golds in Lancasters (a bit of my influence there, lol)

So it doesn't need to be mega-watty - 50watts would be more than enough but not valve as she's got a young one and one with a tendency of throwing stuff. lol

Sugden, not heard any amplifiers by them, only a few cd players over the years. I was never a fan of those TBH but amp wise it's interesting.

Her room is about 4/5m square-ish. So a little bigger than mine.

[struth]

You could also take a look at the digital integrated thread Josie. quite a few amps mentioned there too that also have digital inputs. It can be handy having both.

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?63237-Hybrid-Digital-Integrateds-any-good&p=1069047#post1069047

[The Black Adder]

Thanks, Grant.

Yes the QUAD VENA is a nice bit of kit. I've personally used a small Digital amp on my speakers and it sounded surprisingly good even at 15watts.

It's a bit pricey though... and she would need the VENA 2 as well as that I believe has the phono stage... mind you, a seperate stage wouldn't be bad to get. It's just the price.

[The Black Adder]

Would a Quad 909 or maybe a vintage 303 or 405-2 matched with a Tisbury or something be a good match with tannoys?

Never used any Quad on my speakers so I wouldn't know if any of those models are any good with such a sensitive speaker.

Although I do know that Abbey Road used to use 303's with their TANNOY monitors so there might be something there.

[walpurgis]

There's a decent looking second hand Topping TP Class T amp on ebay. I've used one, it's a rather smooth, slightly warm sound and pretty effective through Tannoys. 80 wpc, so no shortage of power. Quite compact (but surprisingly hefty), two line level inputs and very nicely built.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOPPING-TP60-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/333099471006?epid=170073502&hash=item4d8e46909e:g:zxUAAOSwI7ZceqWI


(quite tempted by this one myself actually :))

[The Black Adder]

.... hmm.

I used to have a Musical Fidelity A-X2 a long time ago... does anyone think that would be a match?

I thought it was quite good, but bettered with monoblock amps.

[mikmas]

Would a Quad 909 or maybe a vintage 303 or 405-2 matched with a Tisbury or something be a good match with tannoys?



Don't know about Tannoys but from experience with my 303 and 405-2, passives are not the best option for preamp duties.
Using modern sources, both amps are too sensitive to get a decent travel with a passive - unless you attenuate their inputs (which is doable but a faff)

Also you would really need to source a recently serviced example (particularly with the 303) or get it done by Quad (costly IME)

[mikmas]

Thanks, Grant.

Yes the QUAD VENA is a nice bit of kit. I've personally used a small Digital amp on my speakers and it sounded surprisingly good even at 15watts.

It's a bit pricey though... and she would need the VENA 2 as well as that I believe has the phono stage... mind you, a seperate stage wouldn't be bad to get. It's just the price.

I have the original Vena and it is indeed a great sounding and very versatile amp - should be able to pick one up reasonably priced since the new one was launched.
There are plenty of Cambridge Audio phono stages floating about for not too much money. I have the CP2 and it's a decent show (got 'as new' for £75).

[hifinutt]

may i thoughly recommend this amp. absolutely delightful sound which sounds much more expensive than it is . i think it would sound very good indeed with tannoys

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?63250-ARCAM-A75plus

[Svend N]

Hi Svend.

She likes my amp sound which is a very good valve amp so I'd like to recommend something to match with that in a way. Her speakers are 12" Golds in Lancasters (a bit of my influence there, lol)

So it doesn't need to be mega-watty - 50watts would be more than enough but not valve as she's got a young one and one with a tendency of throwing stuff. lol

Sugden, not heard any amplifiers by them, only a few cd players over the years. I was never a fan of those TBH but amp wise it's interesting.

Her room is about 4/5m square-ish. So a little bigger than mine.


Josie, the Sugden sound has been described by some as valve-like, at least for their older gear like the one I mentioned. I can say from experience that my C28/P28 combo sounds noticeably more fluid, full and rich than the solid state amps in my main system (modded Sony TA-E86B pre; Belles OCM200 power). The latter pair have a sweet detailed sound, very natural and neutral, quite dynamic. But the Sugdens are slightly warmer (still neutral, just richer), less detailed but not in a bad way, and really are able to project sound into the room and fill the space. Very dynamic and alive. Far more so than the Quad amps that I have heard, which have sounded dull and lifeless in comparison (apologies to Quad fans, but that's been my experience). Sugdens are wonderful.

BTW, their build quality is also very good. It is unlikely that they will need service (depending on model I suppose). Right after buying mine a few years ago I brought them to Dan Santoni (moniker Black Dog here on AOS...great guy) for a check up, and there was nothing that needed doing, not even a leaky cap. Pretty impressive for decades-old amps.

Hope this helps...

Svend

[Weeman1973]

may i thoughly recommend this amp. absolutely delightful sound which sounds much more expensive than it is . i think it would sound very good indeed with tannoys

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?63250-ARCAM-A75plus

THIS!!!!!