What integratd amp for up to £500

timreeves

timreeves

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Hello,

After recently winning some JBL LS40's ( :D ) I'm on the lookout for a new way to power them. Apparently they're quite power hungry speakers - so no old naim or similar, and I'm no fan of tube based stuff. Would like a one box solution too as I have to lug it too and from uni.

Source will be laptop playing flac off foobar running to entech 205.2 or M-audio audiophile USB depending on what mood I'm in. I want to definately go second hand aswell, new stuff doesn't float my boat. Interconnects are neutrik + van-damme DIY's and I hope i'm not treading on too many toes by saying I don't give a hoot about speaker wire as long as it isn't bell wire.

Current contenders include Roksan kandy and Meridian 551

All help welcome :)
 
I was looking at a Bryston power amp on Ebay at £599. Slightly over budget but 10 years of 20 year warranty remaining. You could get a passive pre knocked up for under £100..

I know over budget, but it's good money for a 3 ST.

Depends how tight your money is.

I think its 120w p/ch.
 
To be honest 500 is the very top end of my budget, and I want to stick with a one box solution. I have a meridian 201 and behringer A500 sitting around which is an OK little combo but the 2 boxes annoyed me. Having said that if they all match I wouldn't mind so much.

There is a rega maia and cursa available in budget, not heard any rega gear though, so am unsure.
 
I Know you mentioned that you would prefer no naim similarities, But would you consider EXPOSURE.

You would have the following to choose from as one box solutions.

the X, XV, Super XV, XX and also the XXV if I remember correctly.

Although the XX and XXV maybe out of the budget. I would ultimately chose the X over any of teh others.

I own two myself and am always surprised at what they can re-produce through my Rega ELAs (R & D Production model from Derek Frost) and also my Rogers LS4s.

Would say that they would do justice for your JBLs.

Hope it helps.


Cliff
 
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TBH i would seriously consider looking at a cyrus III for that kinda money. Its one of the best little integrateds VFM wise and you can pick them up for about £150 these days. In fact for your budget, you could get the III and an offboard PSX-R and have a £1000 integrated that takes up no more space than one box probably for less than your budget.
 
According to reviews of the LS40's and a chap i know that's played with them they really demand a fair whack of power - the cyrus wouldn't give me that at all. And I'm too late for that kinshaw.

Classik isn't a bad shout if they come up under budget!
 
Another option is the Cambridge 740A which has plenty of power and is available new for £500.
 
timreeves said:
To be honest 500 is the very top end of my budget, and I want to stick with a one box solution. I have a meridian 201 and behringer A500 sitting around which is an OK little combo but the 2 boxes annoyed me. Having said that if they all match I wouldn't mind so much.

There is a rega maia and cursa available in budget, not heard any rega gear though, so am unsure.
Click to expand...

If it's still available try and get a listen, Rega's sound is not for everyone (what is), but if it does it for you the Cursa/Maia is a a fine choice. plenty of power and controle, very good at communicating the musical message, and involves you in what is happening. It does not leap out at you in a quick demo, and needs to be auditioned properly before its qualities become obvious.
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