I just ran across a nad 1300 and a nad 2140. With a combined price just over $500 does that seem like a good deal?
If they had both been completely gone through and recapped it may not be a bad deal,but if they're in original/used condition I'd say you could definitely do better.
Original/used condition,I'd say $300.00 - $350.00 would be my max offer for those pieces.
Example: I got my NAD Monitor series stack (1300/2600/4300) for < $500.00 and that 2600 power amp will stomp the snot outta that 2140 power amp,now dont get me wrong,the 2140 is indeed a very nice sounding power amp,I know that to be so as I also have the NAD 3140 integrated amp that infact uses the 2140 power amp section as it's power amp section,so I'm very familiar with the 2140 amp's sonics,but the whole 40wpc vs. 150wpc situation tends to skew things a bit in a comparison like that.
Where the 2140 amp is about finesse & politeness,that 2600 amp is more of a brute force to be reckoned with.
But yeah that 1300 preamp has a very nice phono section in it (MC & MM w/320,200,100pF & infrasonic & null switches),so that would be a good choice for sure.
From the NAD literature:
The 1300 was designed for the technically sophisticated audiophile who requires both state-of-the-art
sound and a high degree of operating flexibility
For listeners who are committed to the LP as an important source of music, the 1300 contains a high definition
FET-input phono preamplifier with excellent sound-stage imaging and astonishing resolution of
inner detail. No trace of slew-limiting or transient distortion can be found, even in high-level signal
peaks 25 dB above normal level. Selectable input capacitance and precise RIAA equalisation ensure that
the sound of each recording is accurately preserved
Using eight selected low-noise transistors per channel, this MM phono circuit provides unusually
effective rejection of radio-frequency Interference from nearby digital circuits, cordless phones, and
radio/TV transmitters. It is supplemented by an elegantly simple class-A preamplifier that provides quieter
play-back with low-output moving-cod pick-ups than most preamps provide with a high-output MM
cartridge
In addition to the features described on the preceding pages, the 1300 includes a special “Null” circuit
that electronically subtracts any monaural information from the audio signal. Using this feature, you can
easily align your cartridge for perfect electrical balance or adjust your FM antenna for minimum
multipath distortion
With its bi-directional taping circuits and a separate EPL circuit for an external processor, the 1300 offers
unmatched flexibility. All of its line-level circuits, including its unique volume and tone controls, have the
high headroom and ultra-low noise required to accommodate both today’s and tomorrow’s digital
sources. The dynamic range of the 1300, relative to the 2-volt maximum output of a CD player, exceeds
110 dB. But the most important characteristic of this preamp is the simplicity and sonic purity of its
primary signal path. Yet its price is surprisingly low in comparison with other preamps that don’t sound
as good and give you less control.
END.
Anyhow,yeah there's nothing inherently "wrong" with the current "chip" amp,it'll do what it needs to do,I just tend to prefer amps with robust power supplies and big old caps and such,as often a bit of "overhead" is seen as a good thing.
And for sure patience is your best ally in a search like this,but conversly you gotta be ready to pounce when a good deal does pop up.
HTH
Bret P.
) Kenwood KC-208 with the remote, KM-208 and KT-88 well within your budget.