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Budget hifi amp? Your tips please...

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 Oujmik 11 Mar 2014
I am looking to replace my hifi amp on a budget (less than £200, ideally much less). I tried a Cambridge Audio AM1, problem is it hums when ever it's on which in extremely irritating (to do with the power transformer and our power supply apparently, replacement amp was the same). I can't guarantee that any other amp won't do the same (but my old Harmon Kardon was fine) but I can't live with the humming so I am looking for an alternative to test.

Considering Marantz PM5004, Denon PMA520AE (or 720AE as it seems to be reduced to almost the same price)... what else shoudl I look at?
In reply to Oujmik:

Look for a second-hand NAD, I have the C320BEE used to drive some Epos M15.2's. It's lovely for the price, ca. £100 on fleabay.
In reply to Oujmik: Heavens, there's a question.

What features do you need/want? Phono stage or not? What's going to be going into it and what speakers are on the end of it? Do you want brand spanking new, used but recent or would you consider used and good but long in the tooth?

T.
In reply to Oujmik: Oh, and what sort of room is it to be used in?

T.
OP Oujmik 11 Mar 2014
In reply to Pursued by a bear:

Going in will be bluray player and TV and music from computer via line in. I have some basic Wharfdale bookshelf speakers (Valdus 100 I think?) but may upgrade to some floorstanding ones to better fill the room. It's in my medium size living room. Don't need much power as only use at low to mid volume. No need for a phono stage or a tape loop. Would consider used in principle but in practice I don't have the patience to be crawling ebay waiting for auctions etc right now so will probably buy new, especially as I don't know whether any particular make or model will have 'the hum'.
 mike123 11 Mar 2014
In reply to Oujmik:
Look at arcam s on that there auction site , alpha 7 , 8, or 9 . There's an alpha 8 on for £110 which would great for that money
In reply to Oujmik: Ok, bearing in mind what's coming in and that you have your own speakers already, the obvious alternative to the otherwise well-regarded for the modest price amps you've already tried and had problems with would be a lateral shift: don't get a separate amp, get a mini-system that comes without speakers.

Your local branch of Richer Sounds or Superfi would be good places to start, and giving the staff there a problem to solve should get them more engaged than going in with a particular product in mind. Plus that way you can get a refund if needed.

T.
Though if it were me, I'd get a secondhand Pioneer A-400. Great amplifier, that.

OP Oujmik 11 Mar 2014
In reply to Pursued by a bear:

I had a quick skim of mini systems, but they seems to be rather short of inputs, often only one line-in
 mrchewy 11 Mar 2014
In reply to Pursued by a bear:

I went back to an A400 a few years back after years of Marantz SE models. £90 off ebay and it sounds great still. My speakers aren't really good enough for it, my bluetooth laptop input is weak but put the vinyl on and I'm always happy.

If you could find a GTE version of the above amp - IME they sound slightly nicer.
 graeme jackson 11 Mar 2014
In reply to Oujmik:

Shame you didn't ask 6 months ago. You couold have had my arcam alpha 9 cos it went fot less than your budget seriously good amp. enough features to keep most people happy plus an onboard MM phono stage.
In reply to Oujmik:
> I had a quick skim of mini systems, but they seems to be rather short of inputs, often only one line-in

True. If you could stretch your budget by another £50 there seem to be a number of AV amps that might do the job you're after, but there'd be no way of knowing whether they hum until you try them yourself.

T.
 ben b 12 Mar 2014
In reply to Oujmik:

There's a lot of really good second hand gear out there, and at a reasonable price. I'd generally go for a good second hand component ahead of a cheap new one: the only advantage of new amps is connectivity to more modern systems and if you don't need that then stick with tried and true.

Agreed about the old Arcam Alpha 7, a Naim Nait (the old shoebox one), or a Quad - you can get a pre/power combo for 200 if you keep a good eye out.

Have fun

b
OP Oujmik 12 Mar 2014
In reply to ben b:

Thanks all, there seem to be a fair few Arcams on ebay... they're not the world's most attractive amp are they? Not that I'm really bothered about that if it gives decent sound.
 Ffion Blethyn 12 Mar 2014
In reply to Oujmik:

I'll echo the suggestions to go to Richer Sounds. Nothing like getting proper advice from geeks (enthusiasts) and you should be able to listen before you buy.

I've had many years of good sound from a Sherwood amp.
OP Oujmik 13 Mar 2014
In reply to Ffion Blethyn:

I think I've decided on giving the Denon 720AE a try as is has the features I need and it's a very good price currently (I also found one account of someone with the same humming issue who switched to Denon successfully and I'm hopeful that it's power saving features may also help in this regard). I'm actually planning to buy it from Richer Sounds but when I was in there yesterday the guy didn't know an amp from a CD player so lets hope there's a hifi specialist in this time!
In reply to Oujmik:

> the guy didn't know an amp from a CD player so lets hope there's a hifi specialist in this time!

Yeah, Richer Sounds is like any other high street retailer really, in some places there are decent staff, other places and they're full of idiots.


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