2. amps-preamps
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mid fi choices NAD vs Adcom vs Rotel ... $400

I know its not a lot of money is this world. I want to start small and work my way up. I know i'll be buying older equipment. Is it just personal preference with these brands being considered to be the same class of equipment? I've also noticed some raves about a particular Yamaha and Onkyo model. Don't see too much about Denon, which i thought was in the same class. Anything else i should be searching for?
fivefasts
thorman
1,262 posts
 
Vintage Marantz and Sansui...Marantz 2250 for sale on this site ( new today ) ..Could work real well...
pduff
7 posts
 
Tons of good reviews and comments on the Cambridge Audio stuff, too
bokfudo
58 posts
 
Familiar with all three, I prefer the NAD and owned 2 pairs of the 370 integrated at one time. The NAD is more full bodied and has delicate highs. In my experience the Adcom has tighter but thinner bass while the rotel can become fatiguing with the wrong speakers, again based on my experience. The adcom was amp/and pre (I think 545 II or something like that) Rotel was amp only can't recall the model but had the heat sinks on the front...

The NAD is a safe bet.
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
Fivefast

Agree with Bokfudo. NAD makes exceptional stuff. I have a 3020-based amp that has been problem free for 20 years.

Here are some systems that sound fantastic on a budget. I have built these for my children, auditioned them or I own them.

Digital:

iPod with a Blue Sky Audio EXO--$300. Dynamic and slays anything at this price. Available through Guitar Center.

iPod with Audioengine 2s--$200

CDs:

Entry amp:

Cambridge 340 A ($200)

or

Mid-fi amp:

NAD C372 Amp ($800)

Matched to:

Efficient speakers:

1) Paradigm Atoms Speakers ($200)
2) DALI Lector 1s ($400)
3) Skiing Ninja Mods of AV123 ($900)

CD Player:

Sony Playstation 1 $40
Oppo 980 $169
NAD 525 $300

Vinyl:

Rega P1 tt ($400)
Bellari 129 phono stage ($250)
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