Seeking suggestions to replace a Nakamichi TA-2A with a new integrated amp/receiver

[ZebraAntenna]

I’d to replace my Nakamichi TA-2A receiver, which I’ve had since about 1994, with a brand new receiver (i.e. not used vintage equipment.) I’ve enjoyed the Nak. but in recent years it’s needed repairs, which at this point consume too much time and money.

To find a replacement, I’ve done some reading in Audiophile and other magazines, then read some consumer reviews about reliability of budget/medium-price Onkyo and Yamaha units. It looks they don’t have stellar warranty service (and sometimes the machines unexpectedly fail.) So I’m looking for your input. My price range is roughly $500.

Here’s what I currently use:

Inputs: Dual CS-503-1 TT, Nakamichi CR-2A cassette deck, FM tuner (i.e. built into the Nak. TA-2A), digital sources (wav, flac, mp3, radio streams) via a laptop (WinXP Pro) with an Audigy 2 ZS Notebook soundcard. Everything is connected with RCA plugs.

Speakers: Infinity Primus P-162s.

I also digitize LPs and cassettes from time to time, so the receiver/integrated amp needs outputs that I can run back to the computer. Currently I do that with an RCA cable connected to an 1/8” stereo plug.

I’ve always had a 2-channel system and have never actually heard SACD or DVD-Audio. I’m interested, so maybe someday I might add one or the other. Apparently my sound card can play DVD-Audio and send five channels to a receiver. But at the moment, I wasn’t planning to get a 5.1 speaker system.

I’m also interested in maybe networking the receiver to my wifi router so I could stream music to the receiver rather than send it via a cable. Apparently Windows Media Player 11 can do that (though I actually use VLC media player to play music.) I’ve read some stuff that suggest that various protocols (Airplay, Bluetooth, Wifi) aren’t flawless—i.e. connection problems, drop-outs, clicks, etc.

Thanks.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Looks like an AV network receiver is in your future. On board DAC's, compatible with every signal known to man (or so it would seem), and fairly good sound (Onkyo's) are on offer.

 

[ZebraAntenna]

I ended up getting the Nak repaired (again.) Turned out to be cheaper than getting a new receiver, though I set a limit for how much I wanted to spend on the repair.

At least I have two working channels again.

I had read that some of the recent Onkyos failed soon after their warranties expired, and that customer service wasn't very good, so I decided against that brand.

But maybe I'll try a new one in the future.

With the Nak, I'm still not getting the FM reception I'd like. My repairman recommended I hang the antenna vertically rather than in a T, explaining that there were two different FM transmission systems in use-- one that broadcasts horizontal waves, another that broadcasts vertical waves.

Changing the antenna to vertical doesn't seem to make a difference.. Sometimes I get a horrendous oud distorted sound unless I'm holding the antenna. There's also a lot of stations that are close together here in the NYC area, and possibly some pirate ones that are close to WKCR (for anyone in the five boroughs who might know what I'm talking about.) I've never been able to get a locked-in FM stereo signal here, while I could in the past in other cities. Usually I have to switch the "auto" function off. I think I'm getting a mono signal.

 

[Pennywhistle]

You COULD buy a better tuner and play it through the NAK.