• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Help me complete my set-up! (Receiver search)

E

Elliott A.

New Member
Hi All,

Currently have a pair of totem mites and a pro-ject debut iii TT.
Looking for a budget last piece(s) to complete the set-up as I may have blowm most of the budget on the first two pieces...

Will most likely upgrade in the future, just looking to get the system off the ground at this point.

Two things I'm currently considering:

1) ($50) a 90's NAD 705 - low cost, use the built in pre-amp, etc..
2) ($125 + $25) a cheap, Chinese tube amp like the Nobsound MS-10D and a Behringer Pre-amp

3) or neither! - basically I'm looking for guidance on where you would spend your last $$/the best solution for the foreseeable future.

Thanks in advance!
 
Register to hide this ad
You've obviously put a lot of thought into your system. It's a shame now to blow money on a budget component, which will inevitably become the weak point of your system moving forward.

I recommend using whatever you've got while you build up your budget a bit to get something of equal quality to the rest of your system.
 
Onkyo has a nice inexpensive receiver with a phono input at Amazon, Onkyo TX-8020. The Sherwood RX-4109 , also has a phono input and is relatively inexpensive. Also the Sherwood RX4508 has Bluetooth and phono. Now if you go vintage or older, you can find a lot that would work, though they will need at least cleaning.
 
I was more or less in your same boat and I ended up with a Yamaha RX-V850 for $50. Been extremely happy with it so far. It's early 90s, very high quality construction. I bet the NAD is probably pretty great too. I checked out an NAD 7400 that I was very, very impressed with.
 
I would check out your local craigslist for a clean vintage receiver or integrated amp, I've personally found the sound if new, inexpensive equipment not to my liking, so I agree, save up for something that you'll want to keep, or perhaps choose a nice vintage item that can be resold and upgraded at a future date. I have found some great buys on CL, if you're patient, you can get some really nice items many for under $150.
 
GerryC said:
I would check out your local craigslist for a clean vintage receiver or integrated amp, I've personally found the sound if new, inexpensive equipment not to my liking, so I agree, save up for something that you'll want to keep, or perhaps choose a nice vintage item that can be resold and upgraded at a future date. I have found some great buys on CL, if you're patient, you can get some really nice items many for under $150.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a plan.
 
I've owned and used several '90s era Dolby ProLogic receivers for music and found that the really nice ones don't tend to cost much more than the bottom of the line crap ones and they'll all accommodate a turntable. They also are remote capable and it isn't unusual to find them in perfect working order.

Look for larger number Yamahas, Pioneer Elite, Onkyo Integra, and Denon. Preamp out/Main in capability is a plus, as is subwoofer out especially if your speakers are as small as their name suggests.

I had a NAD 70something (I can't recall but I don't believe that last digit was a five) and it was my least favorite NAD out of the four or five I've had. Probably worth the $50 though assuming good working condition. You can always upgrade later. If you find a good one of the others I mentioned above, you may not feel like upgrading your receiver until after upgrading your other pieces.
 
Good idea on the Marantz 2230. I'd also suggest a Pioneer SX 737, a Harman Kardon 730, a Sansui 661, or a Kenwood 7600, to name a few affordable (even on the auction site) good performing choices I have owned, or still own, depending on your manufacturer preference.
 
If you go with recent vintage; I'd recommend Rotel. Not much in the way of bells & whistles, but generally very nice sound and build quality.
 
I picked up an onkyo tx-4500 mark I in great condition for very reasonable money... The tx-2500s and tx-4500s are great receivers with a good phono section and are usually out there (when you can find them) pretty reasonably for what they are. And they're pretty things, too!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom