Recommend me a new entry-level amp
Discussion
My old Cambridge AM10 looks like it's on the way out...seeing if it can be repaired, but want to make plans if not.
...so I wanted to get some general thoughts as to what's out there that'll drive enough (quality) sound into a high-ceiling'd 5m x 5m room (through a pair of Tannoy bookshelf's on wall mounts) without costing too much - £400 absolute ceiling, £300 or less would be nice.
Wireless/bluetooth streaming built-in would solve another headache (Chromecast Audio I'm struggling to resurrect after the February Chromecast crash), but anything else (DAB etc.) is nice-to-have rather than essential.
- Yamaha RS202D looks like it might be a good budget option, but seeing some reports that the 100W output is rather overstated...wondering if that really matters.
- Cambridge AXR100D is the obvious step-up, but it's top of budget.
- ...otherwise what is there from the quality names that I ought to be looking at?
Thanks,
Martin.
...so I wanted to get some general thoughts as to what's out there that'll drive enough (quality) sound into a high-ceiling'd 5m x 5m room (through a pair of Tannoy bookshelf's on wall mounts) without costing too much - £400 absolute ceiling, £300 or less would be nice.
Wireless/bluetooth streaming built-in would solve another headache (Chromecast Audio I'm struggling to resurrect after the February Chromecast crash), but anything else (DAB etc.) is nice-to-have rather than essential.
- Yamaha RS202D looks like it might be a good budget option, but seeing some reports that the 100W output is rather overstated...wondering if that really matters.
- Cambridge AXR100D is the obvious step-up, but it's top of budget.
- ...otherwise what is there from the quality names that I ought to be looking at?
Thanks,
Martin.
TEKNOPUG said:
Wiim amp pro
I think this is the only option if you need to replace your amp AND add streaming capabilities for £300 new.I've heard mixed things about the sound, but I have Wiim Pro Plus (streamer only) and it's really very good. I'd probably get this (£170-odd), or even the Wiim Mini for about £70, and then use the remainder of your budget to either fix your Cambridge or buy a good second-hand amplifier.
New: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MARANTZ-PM6007-Integrated...
Superb amp - The Marantz offerings have always been excellent
Used: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336054283720
The NAD C320BEE is a tank of an amp; sounds superb and has power that belies its age and size - I've had mine since new and it's driven all sorts of speakers from Rega to Spendor to Neat to B&W etc
Add a Wiim streamer to them and the worlds your oyster
If you want an all in one; the Wiim amp is excellent too; but for me it's not the best sounding
My Dad has this Pioneer network integrated amp paired with my old Monitor Audio RX2 speakers and it's a belter to be fair:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-PMA-900HNE-Integrat...
Well worth having a look to see what's available 2nd hand; the Yamaha network integrated amps are very good too; something like this RN602 would be a good shout; very smooth and detailed sounding but with bags of kick when required: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286545822964
Superb amp - The Marantz offerings have always been excellent
Used: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336054283720
The NAD C320BEE is a tank of an amp; sounds superb and has power that belies its age and size - I've had mine since new and it's driven all sorts of speakers from Rega to Spendor to Neat to B&W etc
Add a Wiim streamer to them and the worlds your oyster
If you want an all in one; the Wiim amp is excellent too; but for me it's not the best sounding
My Dad has this Pioneer network integrated amp paired with my old Monitor Audio RX2 speakers and it's a belter to be fair:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-PMA-900HNE-Integrat...
Well worth having a look to see what's available 2nd hand; the Yamaha network integrated amps are very good too; something like this RN602 would be a good shout; very smooth and detailed sounding but with bags of kick when required: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286545822964
Edited by danb79 on Tuesday 15th July 10:56
Edited by danb79 on Tuesday 15th July 10:59
I bought a Yamaha RN-602 as a cheap amp for my man cave setup. It was about £350 at the time. Streaming, decent app, bass and treble controls which I love and a phono stage to get you going if you want to hook up a record player. It's got lots of features for the price. Yamaha do other similar units so not sure what the current sub £400 option is but I can recommend. Sound wise, they tend to be quite neutral.
Andy12J said:
TEKNOPUG said:
Wiim amp pro
I think this is the only option if you need to replace your amp AND add streaming capabilities for £300 new.I've heard mixed things about the sound, but I have Wiim Pro Plus (streamer only) and it's really very good. I'd probably get this (£170-odd), or even the Wiim Mini for about £70, and then use the remainder of your budget to either fix your Cambridge or buy a good second-hand amplifier.
Andy12J said:
Really, for £300? What would you suggest?
FWIW my brother has this SMSL amp: https://www.amazon.co.uk/PA40-Amplifier-Passive-Sp... With the Wiim Pro to power his B&W 685s and it's a great combo - Jethro Tull never sounded so good 
I stand corrected.
Surely though, any of these is going to be a bit of a downgrade from the OP's Cambridge? I have no experience of the amps you listed myself — I'd be looking at Yamaha, Rotel, Marantz, NAD etc. — but they do seem to offer good bang for your buck.
The best advice I could offer the OP is to try before you buy if you're buying new.
Surely though, any of these is going to be a bit of a downgrade from the OP's Cambridge? I have no experience of the amps you listed myself — I'd be looking at Yamaha, Rotel, Marantz, NAD etc. — but they do seem to offer good bang for your buck.
The best advice I could offer the OP is to try before you buy if you're buying new.
danb79 said:
New: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MARANTZ-PM6007-Integrated...
Superb amp - The Marantz offerings have always been excellent
Used: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336054283720
The NAD C320BEE is a tank of an amp; sounds superb and has power that belies its age and size - I've had mine since new and it's driven all sorts of speakers from Rega to Spendor to Neat to B&W etc
Add a Wiim streamer to them and the worlds your oyster
If you want an all in one; the Wiim amp is excellent too; but for me it's not the best sounding
My Dad has this Pioneer network integrated amp paired with my old Monitor Audio RX2 speakers and it's a belter to be fair:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-PMA-900HNE-Integrat...
Well worth having a look to see what's available 2nd hand; the Yamaha network integrated amps are very good too; something like this RN602 would be a good shout; very smooth and detailed sounding but with bags of kick when required: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286545822964
Food for thought - thanks (and to all the others) - Marantz 6007 is probably top of my 'expensive' list if I can do some man-maths.Superb amp - The Marantz offerings have always been excellent
Used: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336054283720
The NAD C320BEE is a tank of an amp; sounds superb and has power that belies its age and size - I've had mine since new and it's driven all sorts of speakers from Rega to Spendor to Neat to B&W etc
Add a Wiim streamer to them and the worlds your oyster
If you want an all in one; the Wiim amp is excellent too; but for me it's not the best sounding
My Dad has this Pioneer network integrated amp paired with my old Monitor Audio RX2 speakers and it's a belter to be fair:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-PMA-900HNE-Integrat...
Well worth having a look to see what's available 2nd hand; the Yamaha network integrated amps are very good too; something like this RN602 would be a good shout; very smooth and detailed sounding but with bags of kick when required: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286545822964
Wiim - that's the budget-budget option for me...it'll do the job, but as above I'm not convinced it won't be a downgrade, even if only driving a pair of Tannoy's (which I was toying with upgrading until the amp acted up)
Andy12J said:
The best advice I could offer the OP is to try before you buy if you're buying new.
Agreed. Might have to wander over to Birmingham's Richer Sounds next time I'm in the office.Andy12J said:
I stand corrected.
Surely though, any of these is going to be a bit of a downgrade from the OP's Cambridge? I have no experience of the amps you listed myself I'd be looking at Yamaha, Rotel, Marantz, NAD etc. but they do seem to offer good bang for your buck.
I've no idea. It's rather subjective with regards to perceived quality, although the OP's Cambridge appears to be worn out at the very least. However, there are a lot of aspects of amps that aren't subjective, like frequency response, distortion, power etc which can be measured....Surely though, any of these is going to be a bit of a downgrade from the OP's Cambridge? I have no experience of the amps you listed myself I'd be looking at Yamaha, Rotel, Marantz, NAD etc. but they do seem to offer good bang for your buck.
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