[blackscorpio]

Please suggest an integrated for

Salk Songtowers with RAAL(4ohm)

Rythmic sub


budget $500


new or used


phono not needed


TIA.

 

[blackscorpio]

How about these:

Music Hall A15.2

Music Hall A25.2

 

[grasshoppers]


Check out the Outlaw Audio RR2150. A bit above your price,

BUT it has bass mgmt for your Rythmic sub.

160 watts at 4 ohms.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html


B-stock $625 & free shipping.

 

[glangford]

HK 3490. 150 watts at 4 ohms. 120 at 8 ohms. Less than 500. Its a stereo reciever, not an integrated. HK considered a powerful reciever. It will have no problem driving songtowers. Any reciever with an honest 80 wpc at 8 ohms will drive them. The songtowers are an easy load.

 

[arnyk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio  /t/1419553/integrated-for-salk-songtowers-rythmic-sub#post_22204561


Please suggest an integrated for

Salk Songtowers with RAAL(4ohm)

Rythmic sub

budget $500

new or used

phono not needed

TIA.

Given the generally poor price/performance of modern integrated amps, why not a receiver?

 

[commsysman]

The typical receiver manufacturer puts about $20 into each amplifier channel, and they sound like it; the sound quality is SO much worse than even a low-priced Cambridge integrated amplifier that the choice seems clear if good sound is an issue of importance.


Given the 3rd-rate sound of most modern HT receivers, why not a good integrated amplifier, where the money has been strictly put into the sound quality instead of a lot of "bells and whistles" features that have nothing to do with sound.


There are a few good-sounding integrated amplifiers in the range of $800-$1600 dollars, but there is ONE (and only one, that I know of) for less that sounds very good.


It is the Music Hall A15.2, which is absolutely exceptional for its price. Music Direct is selling it now for $499, which is a bargain (it was $800). (I see that blackscorpio also recommended it...).

 

[arnyk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman  /t/1419553/integrated-for-salk-songtowers-rythmic-sub#post_22205680


The typical receiver manufacturer puts about $20 into each amplifier channel, and they sound like it; the sound quality is SO much worse than even a low-priced Cambridge integrated amplifier that the choice seems clear if good sound is an issue of importance.

That's one of those "Audiophile facts" that disappears on the test bench and in a properly done listening test. The true part is the cost estimate, but what's not said is what the high priced spread would cost if they could get the production levels up.


OTOH, if I tell you what you are listening to, we'll both hear it quite clearly, especially if we do it the traditional audiophile way - sighted, no level matching, and no close comparisons.

 

[blackscorpio]

Couple of things here:

Recently bought an Denon 3312 for an HT setup, so I am interested in integrated rather another receiver. I am no audiophile here so I will take the inputs from here. If the consensus are for receiver, I don't have a problem.


Flexible inputs is what I want.


Music Hall looks very interesting.


Appreciate your inputs so far.

 

[blackscorpio]

I found HK 3490 for a great price, open box/refurb though.


any ideas?


and some one please tell me integrated or stereo receiver?? which one is better?

 

[blackscorpio]

EDIT: sorry wrong place.

 

[mcnarus]



Quote:
I found HK 3490 for a great price, open box/refurb though.

Sounds good.

Quote:
and some one please tell me integrated or stereo receiver?? which one is better?

In terms of audible sound quality, neither. I use an integrated, mostly for the minimalist aesthetic. But you pay a premium for that.

 

[Class A]

Receivers have a AM/FM tuner built in. W/an integrated you'll have to purchase it ala-carte. (That's if you want one) Sound wise I agree both sound the same. Also some units have extras like balance controls, phono stages, HDMI and sub outs. Just decide on the options you want.

 

[glangford]



Quote:
Originally Posted by blackscorpio  /t/1419553/integrated-for-salk-songtowers-rythmic-sub#post_22206426


I found HK 3490 for a great price, open box/refurb though.

any ideas?

and some one please tell me integrated or stereo receiver?? which one is better?

I'd say based on the two you picked the music hall and the hk3490 neither. is 'better'. Given commysman's argument about price/quality they are both 2 channel, and can be had new for about just under 500. So let's just assume his argument is valid, there isn't any appreciable difference between the two, except for the addition of a tuner in the hk.


Back to his argument, there may be some quality difference with integrateds. They are targeted to a much smaller market, but however, that price/quality relationship is highly non-linear, the dominant factor being the price is driven higher by a much smaller market, pure economics.

 

[smasher50]

fwiw, there's a used outlaw rr 2150 tor sale on audiogon for $400 has bass management for your sub

 

[arnyk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50  /t/1419553/integrated-for-salk-songtowers-rythmic-sub#post_22208434


fwiw, there's a used outlaw rr 2150 tor sale on audiogon for $400 has bass management for your sub

Why would this be a better choice as compared to less costly, more flexible alternatives?

 

[dwong]

I think the OP is looking for integrated, as in the title.

...but a less costly alternative would be a nice pair of headphone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by arnyk  /t/1419553/integrated-for-salk-songtowers-rythmic-sub#post_22208607


Why would this be a better choice as compared to less costly, more flexible alternatives?

 

[dwong]

No bass mgt like the 2150, maybe the Primare I21, often ~$500 on 2nd market.

Small power, but It drive the NHT M5 (85dB sensitivity) without problem for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50  /t/1419553/integrated-for-salk-songtowers-rythmic-sub#post_22208434


fwiw, there's a used outlaw rr 2150 tor sale on audiogon for $400 has bass management for your sub

 

[blackscorpio]

Good argument.


so, there aren't any integrated that are good? I am more confused than before.


I am not interested in another AVR/stereo receiver, at this point I may want to increase my budget and get the separates. any suggestions?

 

[glangford]

There are lots of good integrated amps. Most are well beyond your budget. From a price/performance standpoint the stereo receivers mentioned should fit the bill nicely.

 

[blackscorpio]

Thanks. lets move out of budget, any decent recommendations that are good for the salks?