integrated amp advice needed

Got about £350 to throw at an integrated amp purchase, can be second hand. Has anyone here tried the Creek Evo or Rotel RA-06?

 

Cyrus 3 (not 3i). About £170 on eBay and bloody marvelous. It can be upgraded with the PSX-R for another £220.

I don't actually see any Cyrus 3 on eBay right now but keep an eye open, they are well worth the wait. Far better than any current Cyrus amps, and look sexy too.

 

I'm half tempted by the evo myself...there's a long thread on hifiwigwam about it too...!

 

I'm surprised! I thought mine was quite poor, always sounded like a box of electronics and rarely like music. I preferred the Cyrus 1 and 2 which preceded it and as soon as I could admit to myself that the 3 had been a mistake, it got sold.

Opinions are like arseholes though...

 

Was that the 3 or 3i? The 3i and onwards was from a completely different designer. Rob tells me the 2 was also very good but I never had the chance to hear it in much detail. The Cyrus 3 is definitely a very competent amp and more 'musical' than many on todays market. I have had a few people around who have been somewhat blown away by what it can do in to a good pair of speakers.

 

I've got the Rotel - i'm very impressed. It's also got a very good phono stage if you are that way inclined. I've got mine attached to a planar 3 (as well as cd).

 

someone on another forum is selling a very nice copland...

 

Cyrus 3 is excellent as is the older Cyrus 2 but the latter is getting a bit long in the tooth so be prepared to service it.

Audiolab 8000A and Exposure IV & XX are also good used buys.

If buying new, check out whatever Cambridge are offering at that price. I'd say the 640A @ £299 must be worth a look based on my experience of the brand to date.

 

Mine was definitely a 3. Wish there was an emoticon for "shrug".