$100 amp and $100 preamp possible?

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Bucketmouth

New Member
I'm as new to hi-end stereos as they come. I'm trying my best to get a handle on the terminology but it seems to be slow process for me. lol I recently picked up a Nad 4155 Tuner and I would like to find a beginner preamp and amp. I don't want to ask the usual "what's the best preamp for XXX dollars". Instead I'm hoping for a couple of ideas or models that could work for roughly $100 bucks a piece. I'm certain there wont be a long list of possible components, but I have to start somewhere. Would building a DIY preamp or amp be a good way to save money. Thank you for your time.
 
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Nikko Beta 20 preamp and Alpha 130 power.

You may be able to find those at 200$ for the two pieces.
 
Wait— even better

If you don't mind mixing sand with your glass:

Bottlehead Quickie + Quicksand

Take Option 2 (Add Quickie.. for $79) and you're ringing in at $198.
 
You could stay with NAD. I recently purchased the 114 preamp and 214 amp for $50.00 each. both are in excellent condition.
 
It kind of depends on luck and how deep you are willing to look. I bought a Kenwood C-1, M-1, tuner, Sony disc changer, and Bose 301's for $80 at a garage sale. Everything worked perfectly except the cd player.
 
Thank you for your input. Im looking into all of the suggestions and found a couple on my local craigslist as well. Do any of you feel a NAD 2150 Amplifier and a NAD 1020A Preamplifier for 200.00 would be worth a look? I noticed the suggestions are mostly aimed at new units. Are used amps and preamps not a good idea? Thank you all for taking the time.
 
Bucketmouth said:
Thank you for your input. Im looking into all of the suggestions and found a couple on my local craigslist as well. Do any of you feel a NAD 2150 Amplifier and a NAD 1020A Preamplifier for 200.00 would be worth a look? I noticed the suggestions are mostly aimed at new units. Are used amps and preamps not a good idea? Thank you all for taking the time.
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Seems okay to me if in excellent condition. However, I tend to agree with the integrated amp suggestion, or even the right receiver. A $25 annual subscription fee would provide you access to Bartertown, where a certain member who's good at renovating/repairing amps currently has a classic NAD receiver for that kind of dough. I'm not a buddy of his or anything like that, I just happened to notice the offer - and I always am interested in units he sells due to his work.

Other options can be found there also; several members post their best prices on this site. I've had better experiences here than with CL or ebay; here you tend to get full disclosure. Just a suggestion.
 
Adda said:
Nikko Beta 20 preamp and Alpha 130 power.

You may be able to find those at 200$ for the two pieces.
Click to expand...

Or, if you are lucky, Beta 30/Alpha 230, which is what I own. A Yamaha integrated might also be a good option. If you post your location you might get some local assistance.
 
Stay with the NAD. Except This! time by a receiver model .. a neat all in one package.
And it's parts will work in lockstep, no tedious getting components to match perfectly exercise.
Although personally I'd have No use for the radio part.. and go for an integrated version.. But you might want the radio bit.
 
I second the suggestion of a TPA3116 amp to start with. They sound great. For preamp, a simple passive pre/volume control would be a way to go if you don't need tone controls or phono pre.

An Older Kenwood integrated would be a nice vintage solution - like the KA-3500. Plenty of power, mine is unrestored and still sounds great.
 
I had an old Yamaha Rx-1100 that I loved but water was spilled on it by my cat. I also owned a pioneer silver series ( forget the model number) but my son ended up with that. This time I wanted to go with individual pieces so I could update different parts as I went along. I will work my way up to better stuff as money allows. For now I would like to find something that will get me by and allow me to learn about Hi-fi ( if that's the correct term). Lots to learn. Thank you all for the help, it's truly appreciated.
 
Here's few more pre/power amp combos you could get below $200 and few odd pre and power amps I picked up for $100 or less. I have or had all these units and can recommend them.

Inkel PD2100 & MD2200 / Sherwood 6040CP & S-6020CP / LXI AM 4222 & AM4022 (it's the same set under different brands, the power amp is good, pre is so-so)

Tensai TP 2500 & TM 2570

Philips 22AH280 & 22AH380

Philips 22AH209 & 22AH309

Pre amps:

Proton 900

Harman/Kardon HK725

Power amp: NAD 2100 (and other power amps from the Monitor Series)
 
What speakers you running?

Kenwood Basic C1 preamp with a Kenwood Basic M1,M1A or M1D amp are findable in the $200 a pair range.
 
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