Budget Stereo Receiver Recommendations

[stereofanboy]

Just to clarify my situation and specify:

My left channel sounds a little weak... not very full and not nearly as much bass as the right channel. (Its not the speakers or speaker wire)

SO, think cleaning my receiver withe the Deoxit-like product should help this?

I've resolved an identical symptom by usning a contact cleaner on a NAD 7250. DeOxit has solved many problems for me ranging from no sound from either channel to crackle when adjusting volume (and now including a squirrelly flashlight).

It will only fix the problem if the problem is dirty contacts, but dirty contacts cause a variety of symptoms and IME occur more often than all other problems combined.

Some kind of contact cleaner should be available to buy locally. Try y'alls version of Radio Shack or any store that caters to musicians as this is a common problem for guitar amps as well.

 

[onwardjames]

Just to clarify my situation and specify:

My left channel sounds a little weak... not very full and not nearly as much bass as the right channel. (Its not the speakers or speaker wire)

Also, it doesn't bother me too much as I only use one set of speakers, but the B speaker outputs do not work!

SO, to confirm, do you think cleaning my receiver with the Deoxit-like product should help this?

For 500 bucks, and probably less, you could get that NAD fully recapped and restored, tho it may not even need that. Get it to a repair guru, this place is full of them.

And yes, as stereofanboy stated, do this. It may fix the problem.

 

[N.Cotman]

Thanks so much everyone! Gonna give it a shot today. I'll get back to you.

On a side note- hows the NAD 3020bee? Selling for around $350 Cad. on Ebay.

 

[WaynerN]

Just to clarify my situation and specify:

My left channel sounds a little weak... not very full and not nearly as much bass as the right channel. (Its not the speakers or speaker wire)

Also, it doesn't bother me too much as I only use one set of speakers, but the B speaker outputs do not work!

SO, to confirm, do you think cleaning my receiver with the Deoxit-like product should help this?

Almost all amplifiers have a "stabilization" relay that clicks in after a period of time, after initial turn on. As the unit ages, the relay contacts become coated with carbon from the make/breaking of the relay under load. If you can find these relays and carefully take the covers off, you will find the contacts. They need to be burnished and then treated with some deoxit 5 or some kind of cleaner like that. If you follow your speaker wires to the board inside, you might find the location of the relays. The covers are usually difficult to take off, but it can be done. The odds are (if your amp has these relays) this is the problem and the solution. Many relays are the Omron brand.

 

[Styx_II]

Holy Carp, Batman!!! That Outlaw is very sweet. Just checked their website and that two- channel receiver has all the goodies for both vintage and modern gear. Just added to my "wish list" when my Marantz 2230 goes bye-bye

Here's a nice review.

http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/outlaw-audio-rr2150-receiver-review

 

[N.Cotman]

So I opened it up and decided not to touch anything... I didn't know what I was doing so I decided I will bring it to a repair shop. However, before I do that, I was wondering if any of you have any experience or knowledge of the Marantz 2235 B? Some guy was asking $280 but wants it gone and said he would take $120. Its "only" 35 watts per channel as compared to my NAD which is 50... a little skeptical on that. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Here is the link:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1007445325

 

[909Hemi]

NO! Those itty-bitty tiny knobs are worse than godawful-ugly!
WTH were they thinking???
The Outlaw is a quality unit with some of the stupidest styling ever...

I would also add an Outlaw RR2150 to the list. They can be had for under $500 easily these days.

 

[Styx_II]

To each his own...

 

[atarione]

lol... indeed ...I think it is the day sometimes i see those outlaw receivers and thing Dang Son i need to get me one of those...and other i think it is kinda goofy..

however i think i need one now... it is growing on me...

 

[reickmey]

You have several Integrated Amps on your list. If you don't need AM/FM then I would go that route. Of the list, I have found Marantz sound very good for the money. Cambridge Audio gets a lot of good press too. Your best bet is to go have a listen.

Off topic...but, I have to say it.

Kermit z, you have by far the best avatar...puts a smile on my face everytime I see it.

Keep up the awesomeness!

 

[kermit z]

Haha thank you. I did a change this past summer and got some backlash so hip kitty came back

 

[onwardjames]

Hip Kitty Rules.

To me, it's up there with the legendary "You Will Hate Me" avatar of Ak'er Tentoze.

 

[kermit z]

Hip Kitty Rules.

To me, it's up there with the legendary "You Will Hate Me" avatar of Ak'er Tentoze.

Love Tentozes' avatar:thmbsp:

 

[McBru6177]

Hi everyone!

My NAD 7100 receiver is starting to act up (uneven power distribution, cutting out channels, etc.) and I think its about time to try something else out. That being said, I don't know if any of the receivers I can afford will perform as well as the 7100 (I really liked it). My price limit is about $500, but if I can do less, great!

Here are some models I've been considering (any one that has experience with any of these feel free to comment on how you liked 'em):

-Cambridge Audio Topaz SR10 AM/FM
-Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 35
-NAD C316BEE 40 Watt Integrated Amplifier
-NAD C326BEE 50 Watt Integrated Amplifier
-Marantz SR4023 (this is especially appealing because I can get a factory refurbished model for $300, which is the most affordable of all the receivers I've listed)
-Marantz PM5004 (a bit more than I'd like, but read good things)
-Harmon Kardon 3390
-Denon DRA-397

*Note: I prefer receivers with phono inputs as I listen to vinyl fairly regularly.

Thanks so much guys!

Nick

I helped pick out a system for a friend in Ottawa based on a new receiver in this price range (a remote control and matching gear was a must). The good thing about Ottawa is that there are several good shops where you can audition the gear. My friend ended up with the CA SR10. It's pretty decent but I would say the tuner is its weakest link.

 

[cwall99]

Styx_II;8108224]

I would also add an Outlaw RR2150 to the list. They can be had for under $500 easily these days.[/QUOTE]

I was gonna suggest that one too. New, they're $700. They get awesome reviews.

 

[91r100gs]

The H/K 3390 I got from Amazon new for $222 has been great. Have used for 4 years now. Has a VG tuner and phono section. Very warm sound and will drive my 4 ohm Maggie's for hours with no complaint. Gets warm, but never hot.

Only bad part the ergonomics are not so good. It is probably one of the few receivers in that price range that is so stable at 4 ohms, because it was designed to be. When I bought it, I figured I would probably have to return it, but it's a keeper. This is a modern receiver that is very analog friendly.

 

[Gang-Twanger]

$500 will get you a lot in the vintage way too, including some well regarded models from Marantz, Pioneer, Kenwood and Sansui.

Check your local CL too as there are often many older model HT receivers avavialbe for a song as tech changes. Pre HDMI output versions can be had for under $200 all day around here from Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony, Denon and HK...

$500 is really quite a lot if you go used. you can do quite well.


Good Luck!!

You could even find a partially-restored Fisher tube model for that (I paid $450 for my 800C with the case, and it sounded great while I saved up for the complete restoration, which I just had done less than two months ago)

 

[Styx_II]

The H/K 3390 I got from Amazon new for $222 has been great. Have used for 4 years now. Has a VG tuner and phono section. Very warm sound and will drive my 4 ohm Maggie's for hours with no complaint. Gets warm, but never hot.

Only bad part the ergonomics are not so good. It is probably one of the few receivers in that price range that is so stable at 4 ohms, because it was designed to be. When I bought it, I figured I would probably have to return it, but it's a keeper. This is a modern receiver that is very analog friendly.

I have the 3490 and agree completely!

 

[N.Cotman]

Hi everyone! Thought I might revive this. I've been living with my 7100 and I think its about time to get a new amp.

I have found a used NAD C356 for $600 with the DAC Module (I listen to a lot of music from my laptop). However, I have heard it is not as "musical" sounding as the C326. I can purchase the C326 for $450 plus tax. In the end I would be paying $100 more for the 356, but is the extra wattage worth it, or is it actual not as good sounding? I feel like my ear is not quite attuned enough to notice very slight differences.

Thanks guys!

 

[johnda]

If your ear isn't up hearing the differences, don't sweat it. Just get the one that you can afford and enjoy the HELL out of it!��