First System Amp . . .

I would try a used McIntosh MC7100 or Odessey Stratos. I own the former and have tried the last one at home. They are similar in that they have a warm sound that is super-easy to listen to and with good layering and coherence. I just love my little Mc and it just about beats anything else I have heard for around $700. So much body and soul - it just rocks relentlessly with control that belies its conservative 100Wpc 8ohm rating. This is with a McIntosh C712 pre, Sony CA80ES cdp, and Paradigm Reference 100.2 speakers. Anyway, good luck - Arthur

I would have to second the aragon, i have owned the 4004mkII, which I acquired from this site, for about 2 years now and the only thing that would make me consider selling it is maybe an upgrade to the 8008 series. I've just been very happy with the way my music sounds. And I agree, it is much more musical than the adcom amps as I remember from auditioning them both a few years ago when I was shopping. ANd the dual mono design puts out as much power as any speaker could want (400 watts into my 4 ohm thiels! or 200 into 8ohms). It really is a great deal at $800 and the 8008 is only about 50% more.
good luck

My belief for a first system amp is a amp that is < $500. Start off with a Acurus, Adcom, or Rotel. You will be happy and if you expirence the need for more spend more but please start with an amp less than $500. Enjoy.

What you're going to do with your broken one?
Send me a note, since I buy broken equipment and fix it(finally I built my home lab!).

After your old Adcom Bryston 3b-st used will be the very valuable upgrade. It has better current delivery capabilities and sounds more relaxed and detailed.

Thanks, folks. I'll investigate the Aragon, Rotel, McIntosh, Bryston and B&K. They all sound good.