GOOD widely available £500 integrated amps...

[DSJR]

OK, I stand here with my wrists firmly slapped and with humble pie ready to eat...

On the NEW market (NOT used), what £500 integrated amp would you consider. My first choice of the Brio R is well documented, as are the reasons why I like it (plenty of dealers and after sales backup/customer care), but what else is actually out there able to do the job properly and in an involving way?

Anyone heard the current Cambridge Audio ones, or do Harman Kardon do a £500 model like a scaled down HK990? Plenty of good choice for a grand or more, but £500? NAD used to do good cheapies, the bigger ones worse if anything (sloppy music delivery) and the Chinese? Roksan Kandy k2 was a horrible powerhouse that couldn't hold a tune of it tried (not that an amp is supposed to do anything of the sort, but you lot know what I mean). What are the Chinese Audiolabs like as well as a Cyrus all alone and without add-ons?

Over to you, and hopefully there's plenty to be learned by myself as well as everyone else

P.S. Do perspex cased products only available mail order on ebay count?????

[Spectral Morn]

There won't be much I guess.

I am out of touch a little with the bottom end of the market but Cambridge Audio, NAD, Marantz, Onkyo and Rega must be the only companies making anything in and around that price, that is sold in UK dealers.

Sad days when I first became an audio enthusiast (seeking to unlock my music more) and then the trade in retail one could buy a Rotel or Nad, Marantz too amp for about £100, Wharfedale, Celestion or Goodmins speakers for about £80 and a turntable say Ariston Q Deck for £150. The dealer would throw in some cables and bobs your uncle a pretty good separates system for modest money. Now days not possible except S/H.

[DSJR]

Have MF abandoned this sector of the market?

Arcams were a bit bland at thid price point as I remember. Any idea if current issue models are any better?

Talk Electronics used to have a good reputation and fared rather better than the cable "offshoot" that helped spawn them in the beginning.

[Spectral Morn]

Have MF abandoned this sector of the market?

Arcams were a bit bland at thid price point as I remember. Any idea if current issue models are any better?

Talk Electronics used to have a good reputation and fared rather better than the cable "offshoot" that helped spawn them in the beginning.

Yes MF have re amplification

[Eagle owl]

Save up a bit more cash and buy one of these http://shop.xtz.se/bild-ljud/xtz/forstarkare/rubrik_3

I don't own one but have read good reports on it.

Geoff.

[Clothears]

The new Creek 50A is out shortly at a touch over £500 (ie £550) which might fit the bill.

[kenworthy100]

Exposure 1010 retailing around £425

[Dingdong]

NVA AP20.

[DSJR]

If you think it's good enough?

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid...10p-amp-2.html

[Marco]

Phone up Glenn Croft and say: 'Glenn, mate, I've got £500 burning a hole in my back pocket and would like a basic line-only integrated valve amp. Don't care what the case looks like, so what could you build for me?'

I guarantee he could produce something to suit, and sonically, it would most likely piss all over any of the pish mentioned here - and with full service back-up, too! Widely available? Yes, because all you'd need to do is ask...!

Marco.