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Asking for guidance on my first hi-fi system...

Hello, this is my first post here and I am hoping to gain a little confidence in making a purchase of an integrated amp for a nice two channel music only system. I recently built my own speakers, (the Jim Holtz Mini Statements) and auditioned them at my friends house on two different high end audio systems.... Rogue, Electrocompaniet, Van Alstine are a few names I remember of his gear. He helped me confirm that my speakers sound very nice and are a good starting point to build upon. My budget is 500.00 or less for an amp. Currently I use an Onkyo HT-R520 home theatre receiver, set on "Direct" listening mode. Obviously, my speakers don't sound as good with the Onkyo. I believe the bass is over emphasized and the mids and highs are a little lacking in detail.
Here are my objectives:
1. Stay within budget
2. Find something that will sound better and resolve the weaknesses of the Onkyo

Currently I am interested in a 300 to 400 dollar Carver CM 1090 integrated amp. Would this be a wise choice given it's age? or should I be looking at a new NAD, or ?????

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
jfmerk
milpai's avatar
milpai
1,341 posts
 
You cannot go wrong with a NAD. From personal experience, they are very musical. You can also take a look at some Marantz or Onkyo.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
fmerk: very nice post. YOu offered a LOT of info and it all was clear.

Thanks.
I would not buy the Carver. It is rather old, and not one of the 'chosen' old stuff folks talk about with any reverence.
You CAN find some of the good stuff, and for the $500. you mention.
Now first, you write 'amp' but I assume you really need either an amp and preamp, or an integrated amp for your $500.
A cheap golden product was the Hafler DH110 preamp. Should be able to be found for $100 to $150.
Another decent preamp was the Forte F44 $200 to $250
Then an Adcom 535mkII amplifier. The mkII is important. that should be around $200 to $250.
An Adcom 545 is OK also.
Another very hard to find amp is the Forte 4a which is killer, for $400 to $500. (but that is with no preamp.)

Those items I suggest are also old. but they are good products, and worth the money they cost.

These are the items I know. (and I owned Carver long ago, also Forte, Hafler..)
jfmerk OP
14 posts
 
Thank you for your replies, since posting I've steered away from the Carver idea. I'll definitely explore some of the suggestions mentioned, I was thinking a preamp and amp wouldn't be doable for my budget so I'm excited to hear that it is. I thought I'd be limited to an integrated amp. Looking at that option, would an Arcam A65 be on the same playing field as the the suggestions given thus far ?

I also like the idea of an integrated that has the preamp out option.
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