2-channel amplifier with remote control, £200 or less
Discussion
I've currently got a Harman Kardon HK6550 which has served me well for a number of years, but it does not get the use it deserves because it doesn't have a remote. Lazy I know, but that's how it is.
So I'm going to sell it, and would like to replace it with something as capable. It will be driving a pair of Rega Ela transmission lines.
My music tastes are primarily dance / trance, but also pop, rock and ambient. It will also be used for movies.
Therefore, something that sounds quite exciting, but not harsh would be ideal, and ideally it should also manage to sound good at low volumes.
Any suggestions?
So I'm going to sell it, and would like to replace it with something as capable. It will be driving a pair of Rega Ela transmission lines.
My music tastes are primarily dance / trance, but also pop, rock and ambient. It will also be used for movies.
Therefore, something that sounds quite exciting, but not harsh would be ideal, and ideally it should also manage to sound good at low volumes.
Any suggestions?
Hi,
I would be looking at a second hand Rega Mira, as they will partner your Ela speakers well.
Unfortunately, they don't come up often (I have been looking for one).
Alternative is a second hand Rega Brio-R, but they are a little over budget.
New, then one of the NAD 'bee' amps will probably be worth a look.
HTH
Sparks
I would be looking at a second hand Rega Mira, as they will partner your Ela speakers well.
Unfortunately, they don't come up often (I have been looking for one).
Alternative is a second hand Rega Brio-R, but they are a little over budget.
New, then one of the NAD 'bee' amps will probably be worth a look.
HTH
Sparks
I used to have a Nad C370 amp. Huge thing, loads of power, loads of inputs, pre-outs, tape loops and remote. Cost me £200. Sold it 3 years later for the same. The C372 is also very similar. Well worth a gander.
Only downside, used to get rather warm, needed some ventilation space above it.
Used to use this with some Royd Apex, which were designed with Rega and shared same design/drivers as the first version of the Ela's.
Alternatively, old Exposure gear would go well with your Ela's, however only the XXV has a remote, and generally sells for £400-500. If you can live without a remote, do check out the Exposure XV or XX.
Only downside, used to get rather warm, needed some ventilation space above it.
Used to use this with some Royd Apex, which were designed with Rega and shared same design/drivers as the first version of the Ela's.
Alternatively, old Exposure gear would go well with your Ela's, however only the XXV has a remote, and generally sells for £400-500. If you can live without a remote, do check out the Exposure XV or XX.
Edited by HiFiHunter on Thursday 20th June 09:05
HiFiHunter said:
I used to have a Nad C370 amp. Huge thing, loads of power, loads of inputs, pre-outs, tape loops and remote. Cost me £200. Sold it 3 years later for the same. The C372 is also very similar. Well worth a gander.
Only downside, used to get rather warm, needed some ventilation space above it.
Used to use this with some Royd Apex, which were designed with Rega and shared same design/drivers as the first version of the Ela's.
Alternatively, old Exposure gear would go well with your Ela's, however only the XXV has a remote, and generally sells for £400-500. If you can live without a remote, do check out the Exposure XV or XX.
I think the NAD is too big to fit underneath the TV where it will live, my HK6550 is already a tight squeeze and the NAD is even bigger...Only downside, used to get rather warm, needed some ventilation space above it.
Used to use this with some Royd Apex, which were designed with Rega and shared same design/drivers as the first version of the Ela's.
Alternatively, old Exposure gear would go well with your Ela's, however only the XXV has a remote, and generally sells for £400-500. If you can live without a remote, do check out the Exposure XV or XX.
Edited by HiFiHunter on Thursday 20th June 09:05
I did think about a C340 or C350 as they are a better size.
I love Exposure kit, I had an XX myself in the past and it was a fun thing to listen to, but I really need a remote, and £400 - £500 is too much for me, given that it will mainly be used for TV duties and occasionally for music. If I had that much I'd just go straight out and buy a Rega Brio R.
I did have my eye on the Marantz PM6004 as it seems to get decent reviews?
torres del paine said:
I would look at the Yamaha a-s500 amplifier. Big, powerful, clean-sounding amplifier with great build quality and retro styling. I haven't heard it but by all accounts, it's a very high quality amp with plenty of drive and decent sound. Apparently, a hifi bargain.
+1 - great sounding and a bargain. Let's face it....they pretty much everything musical too....Bohemianesque said:
+1 - great sounding and a bargain. Let's face it....they pretty much everything musical too....
It does look a great amp for the money but its too big, I'd have to get a new TV stand! Saying that though... I have one at my parents house sitting doing nothing, so it might be back on!ETA having looked at a few reviews, it would seem to be the spirtual successor to my HK6550, itself being noted for sounding "big and powerful", and I confirm that it definitely does.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Thursday 20th June 11:51
TameRacingDriver said:
I think I've decided I'd rather get a second hand amp, more bang for the buck I would think.
Maybe a second hand Yamaha....or Pioneer or Denon would be my choices. Cambridge Audio do some pretty well rated stuff too....and you'll pick one up dirt cheap too. Personally, I'd still go for the Yamaha.........I've owned Linn, Meridian, Cyrus, Bryston, ATC, B&O and others......the Yam is a gem - I've a friend who has one.Saying that I've a Cambridge AVR feeding PMC speakers and that sounds sweet. Saying that it's measured at 160w in to 2 channels.
Have you thought about active speakers...? Personally, if I didn't have kids, I'd grab a pair of Yamaha HS5's.....they sound unbelievably good....all you have to do is feed them with a signal.
Have you considered Tripath (or other chip ) amps ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fanmusic-DT-2050A-2x75W-...
I haven't heard this particular amp but I do have a pre-amp which uses the same volume control chip; Superb sound quality. I use a Sure amp at work which uses the TK2050 output stage; the sound quality is excellent and I think will easily better anything suggested so far. Add in the fact you get a good quality headphone amp too and I think you'll have a serious giant killer of an amp. Plus there is an asynchronous USB input
High res files from your laptop into the USB input, via one of the best remote volume controls available ( the CS3310 volume control chip is used by high end companies such as Jeff Rowland in pre amps which retail for $14000 USD !!!! ). http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/questions.php?quest...
The output stage is special too; check out the reviews.
http://www.justblair.co.uk/sure-2x100w-tk2050-ampl...
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/dayton_dta100_e.htm...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fanmusic-DT-2050A-2x75W-...
I haven't heard this particular amp but I do have a pre-amp which uses the same volume control chip; Superb sound quality. I use a Sure amp at work which uses the TK2050 output stage; the sound quality is excellent and I think will easily better anything suggested so far. Add in the fact you get a good quality headphone amp too and I think you'll have a serious giant killer of an amp. Plus there is an asynchronous USB input
High res files from your laptop into the USB input, via one of the best remote volume controls available ( the CS3310 volume control chip is used by high end companies such as Jeff Rowland in pre amps which retail for $14000 USD !!!! ). http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/questions.php?quest...
The output stage is special too; check out the reviews.
http://www.justblair.co.uk/sure-2x100w-tk2050-ampl...
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/dayton_dta100_e.htm...
I have a Marantz pm6004. I like it, sounds good through my B&W bookshelf speakers. I haven't used the tone controls or loundness button because it sounds nice left on 'Source direct'.
It has 7 pairs of inputs plus phono with ground post.
It also has 2 pairs of speaker outputs.
It is a hair over 100mm tall.
And when you change the volume with the remote, the knob turns on its own
It has 7 pairs of inputs plus phono with ground post.
It also has 2 pairs of speaker outputs.
It is a hair over 100mm tall.
And when you change the volume with the remote, the knob turns on its own
TameRacingDriver said:
That does look interesting, I do wonder how the seller was should it not work, the power supply in my dac went and I was going to be after a new one, and I use a good pair of headphones, so this could be really useful actually.
The 2050 output stage I've been using at work is very robust; its coped with very tough loads & accidental short circuits over the past 12 months or so without any issues. I can't comment on this particular implementation but the Tripath 2050 chip's reliability is helped by in-built over voltage, over temperature & short circuit protection. http://pdf.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheet/Tripath/...Edited by Crackie on Friday 21st June 15:43
If you buy second hand then give the Marantz PM7200 some consideration. I had one for 9 years and it was superb, though it did eventually suffer issues with one channel.
Massive amp, mega build quality, great looking, with a big, bold sound. Very nice.
It is nearly 100w @ 8ohms, so it has some slam. It handled anything from classical to pumping electronic music with ease. I ran it with Wharfedale Diamonds (which are crap IMO, dull dull speakers) and it even made them sound quite good. Coupled with Mission 762i, which I still use(superb, sensitive speakers with wonderful bass, mids and treble) it was awesome. As an aside, I still think Mission's best speakers are true gems and underrated. If you ever have the chance to get hold of some 770s Mk2 or Freedoms, do, they're amazing.
I have a KI Pearl Lite now, which is great but I still miss the slam of the 7200.
The other integrated amps I would consider are NAD. They do sound great, they give you the music. A C350 or 370 would be a good buy. Bags of character.
I'd stay away from early Cambridge Audio - terrible stuff that sucks the life out of music IMO.
Massive amp, mega build quality, great looking, with a big, bold sound. Very nice.
It is nearly 100w @ 8ohms, so it has some slam. It handled anything from classical to pumping electronic music with ease. I ran it with Wharfedale Diamonds (which are crap IMO, dull dull speakers) and it even made them sound quite good. Coupled with Mission 762i, which I still use(superb, sensitive speakers with wonderful bass, mids and treble) it was awesome. As an aside, I still think Mission's best speakers are true gems and underrated. If you ever have the chance to get hold of some 770s Mk2 or Freedoms, do, they're amazing.
I have a KI Pearl Lite now, which is great but I still miss the slam of the 7200.
The other integrated amps I would consider are NAD. They do sound great, they give you the music. A C350 or 370 would be a good buy. Bags of character.
I'd stay away from early Cambridge Audio - terrible stuff that sucks the life out of music IMO.
Cheers, I had heard good things about the PM7200.
I've always wondered about NAD amps, they seem powerful on paper, and in reality, I heard some (on a hifi forum I was on ages ago) say they sounded boring, but then I take what is said with a pinch of salt.
I had a Cambridge Audio A500 amp once and you are right, it was horrid, lifeless and limp wristed. It'd take a lot for me to trust CA after that.
I've always wondered about NAD amps, they seem powerful on paper, and in reality, I heard some (on a hifi forum I was on ages ago) say they sounded boring, but then I take what is said with a pinch of salt.
I had a Cambridge Audio A500 amp once and you are right, it was horrid, lifeless and limp wristed. It'd take a lot for me to trust CA after that.
BenjaUK said:
Hi, Any chance that the HK6550 is still for sale? I'm looking for one as Hear that they're great value (I also have had a ca a500 and look forward to an improvment!)
I've still got it, yes, and would be willing to sell it, although I have not as yet found a replacement.I've had a CA A500 as well and the HK6550 is miles better IMO, to be honest I wouldn't be replacing it if only it had a remote!!
It's a champagne coloured one but it does have a small "graze" on the front that was there when I bought it.
Still if that doesn't put you off, let me know.
Cheers, sounds great, and it's in good working order otherwise? I just need to do a little more research, what kind of price were you thinking? And where abouts are you?
My ca blew a bass driver on my mission m74i's should I replace this part and run them with the hk or does it deserve somthing better? (Maybe this should be a seperate topic!)
My ca blew a bass driver on my mission m74i's should I replace this part and run them with the hk or does it deserve somthing better? (Maybe this should be a seperate topic!)
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff