iaRIVR Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Looking for a solid integrated on the lower end of the price spectrum. Very interested to try Rotel but open to suggestions. It will be driving a pair of Chorus IIs and a set of full-range speakers (FHXL), so doesn't need to be crazy but I hear the Chorus like a little power. I have an HK430 now and have had a run of bad luck with the last couple of amps I have tried, so ideally something solid and simple (probably not vintage). Open to other brands as well, I was interested in Rotel as an example of a brand that has a reputation for good value and I sound I would like to try. Would really prefer something with A&B speaker selection so I can switch between the two sets, and a pre-out and phono would be fantastic but not required. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Are you looking for 100+ to 200 wpc? Think Rotel a good place to start. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
001 Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 are you looking for a integrated amp that includes teh pre amp? or a true separate amp & pre amp? rotel is a very good brand & used components can be found for decent prices. personally i would try to find true separates so the quality is a little better for a stand alone pre & amp vs a intergated that spreads the cost over both. not that there arent quality integrated amps, but if you dont like the amp of the integrated unit or want more power, then the integrated amp is a waste if you upgrade to a better amp. if you are looking for more power than the average AVR range of ~100wpc, i would consider something closer to 150-200wpc. lots of rotel amps in that range for under $500, i have a rb990bx rotel that is 200wpc & its a very good sounding amp. another option for budget friendly power is the adcom gfa555ii, you can find the rotel & adcoms for about $350-400 & for that price they really cant be beat for all out power & very good sound quality. i have both adcom & rotel & swap them around on chorusiii & forteii & K-horns when i had them, both sounded good, not tube amp good but then again most low power tube amps cant do what big power solid state amps can for LOUD listening. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaRIVR Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 I'm open on the watts, I had 100 as a ballpark to keep the cost realistic. I think I'm at 24 now with the 430... Would love to go separates, but I don't have an amp so of course buying both also increases cost. Long term I plan to go that route, so my thought was an integrated with a preout I could use with an amp in the future, and eventually replace with a dedicated preamp. Thanks for the amp suggestions, I will keep an eye out for those. I am collecting parts to build a Aleph J clone this winter, so waiting and getting a preamp for that is another option. I just don't want to feel rushed to get that done or I'll probably mess it up. There's an RX-1052 on CL I asked about, seems solid and has some features that might be nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Sounds like a nice integrated receiver you are looking at. Nice reviews...with remote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaRIVR Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 1 minute ago, billybob said: Sounds like a nice integrated you are looking at. Haha maybe 😁 . A&B selection is pretty important, able to use it as a premp would be great but not necessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Looks pretty solid. And looks like phono ready per my reading, although a little different language. https://www.cnet.com/reviews/rotel-rx-1052-review/ http://www.rotel.com/product/rx-1052 Yes phono... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaRIVR Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 51 minutes ago, billybob said: Looks pretty solid. And looks like phono ready per my reading, although a little different language. https://www.cnet.com/reviews/rotel-rx-1052-review/ http://www.rotel.com/product/rx-1052 Yes phono... I would take one of those, seem pretty solid. There was one locally for $250 I missed. Should have pulled the trigger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 5 minutes ago, iaRIVR said: I would take one of those, seem pretty solid. There was one locally for $250 I missed. Should have pulled the trigger! Looking at some sites, came up with $200 for unit without remote. $300 with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
314carpenter Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/d/mequon-rotel-rx-1052-stereo-receiver/7201534257.html Reference 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaRIVR Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotel-AM-FM-Stereo-Receiver-Amplifier-Model-RX-1050-2-Channel/174449218336?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D03265cd8385448ddac25ce75278000a9%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D254709725420%26itm%3D174449218336%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DRotel&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A0e7882c5-fea1-11ea-a23d-6a5fefae00b3|parentrq%3Ac1b6f61f1740a4e86bff46a6fffc34f8|iid%3A1 This one too, an RX-1050 for 219. Would much rather buy from a member or in person, little wary of ebay shipping but I know it's done all the time. Missing a jumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 Jumper no biggie but,. In my looking earlier. there is a difference between the two. Cannot recall now. Did the eBay or the Craigslist have the remote? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 5 hours ago, 314carpenter said: https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/d/mequon-rotel-rx-1052-stereo-receiver/7201534257.html Reference Dang a with remote, price shipped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaRIVR Posted September 25, 2020 Author Share Posted September 25, 2020 7 hours ago, billybob said: Dang a with remote, price shipped Did you see that was shipped price? I assumed that was just local. I do love Milwaukee but that's a hike. I'd have to stop at @314carpenter to see a real setup on the way 😝 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 @iaRIVR, 22 hours ago, iaRIVR said: Looking for a solid integrated on the lower end of the price spectrum. What is max $$$ you will spend? Just trying to drill it down to a price point so we are not all over the place with price. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaRIVR Posted September 25, 2020 Author Share Posted September 25, 2020 I'd say max 400, but closer to 300 would be great. I keep doing one of those 'well for only xx more you get xx.' For something really cool... maybe a little more? There is an Arcam A19 on usaudiomart for $529 that is tempting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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