"Cheapskate" Office System???

[StereoNut]

I'm looking for either a low-budget $ amp (new/used/demo) to pair up with an old Parasound P/HP-850 pre-amp I have for a second (small 9 x 11ft. bedroom/office) system or an inexpensive integrated amp (new/used/demo) to use in that same application and maybe then I'll try to sell off the Parasound pre-amp, if that makes more sense...???

I'd be pairing these (my Parasound Pre and an amp or an integrated) up with a Cambridge D-500SE CD player and a pair of NHT Super One speakers.  We're barely talking mid-fi here fellas, so I'm talking ridiculously "on the cheap", like $300.00 or less. (Maybe a few bucks more?)

I was thinking like Cambridge Audio, NAD or maybe Rotel, but I don't know what else may be worthwhile checking out.  I also thought about those little Virtue Audio amps...???

First, do I keep my Pre and go separates or take the integrated route... and then, after deciding that; what products do you suggest I look at?

Be creative, I'm open to suggestions!

Thanks!
SN

[richidoo]

Here's the speaker specs, from the manual:

SuperOne Specifications
· System Type: 2-way, acoustic suspension design
· Driver Complement: 6.5" long-throw woofer, 1" fluid-cooled soft dome tweeter, video shielded drivers
· Crossover: 2.2KHz, 6dB/octave high-pass and 12dB/octave low-pass
· Response: 57Hz - 25KHz, +/- 3dB
· Sensitivity: 86db (2.83V at 1M)
· Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 6 ohms minimum
· Recommended Amplifier Power: 25W/ch minimum, 150W/ch maximum
· Inputs: 5-way binding posts
· Weight: 10 lbs. each
· Dimensions: 11.65"H x 7.25"W x 8.5"D
· Finish: High-gloss black or white laminate

Seems like you have the makings of quite a nice little rig there. All you need is a 50W amp.

There are a lot of amps in your budget, like audiosource AMP-100 ($150 new). http://www.audiosource.net/amp.php I have an Audiosource 80W linear amp, it sounds pretty good. They have class D models now too. These are not high end tho... They sound confident but not very resolving. There's a bunch of amps listed at Partsexpress. Note the 15W T amps for $50, might be worth a try, some people say they are quite good for the money. They are a class D amp on a chip made by Tripath, and the basis for some great high end amps from Red Wine, 47 Lab and others.

Don't forget Craigs List. you might find a decent receiver or stand alone amp for peanuts.
Rich

[bpape]

Keep the preamp and get this:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1288189591&/Arcam-Alpha-8P

Or, sell the preamp and get this old school gem

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1288293588&/Luxman-L-510

Bryan

[Carlman]

I like the cheap Onkyo 2-channel receivers but they have 0 cool factor... but sound pretty good.. just a thought.

[evan1]

This Onkyo always had great reviews

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1288400889&/Onkyo-A-9555-Black--excellent-

[StereoNut]

Thanks for the replies!  This is why AN is such a great place.

• Rich: I never even heard of Audiosource before (sheltered childhood, I guess!?) so there's an option I never would've found myself.  As far as Parts Express goes, I always thought of them as a source for the D.I.Y. crowd, so again another idea!  (P.S. - Thanks for the kudos on this having the possibilities of becoming a decent little rig.)  I really like the NHT's... they make a lotta music for a bookshelf speaker.

• Bryan: Thanks for the links.  I haven't heard any Adcom stuff in a very long time, but remember it being a bit "boomy" on the bottom end, so I'm not sure.  The Luxman is an interesting piece, but I'm concerned about reliability with it.  FWIW - I have a 35 year old Sansui 9090DB receiver in with my local repair guy to check on why the left channel went out on it a month ago when I used it last in my "drag it out when I have a backyard BBQ" system.  If I was gonna go the Luxman route, I may be better off just fixing and using the Sansui I already have.  (Yes, I know what you're thinking and I agree... I'm sure the Luxman is a better piece than my old 9090DB.)

• Carl/Evan: Thanks for the suggestion, but like my reply on the Luxman above, I'd probably just stay with the Sansui once I hear back from my techie and it makes sense to repair it.

I will start to check on some of these ideas when I have some more time.  In the meanwhile, fellow Nervosians - keep those "cards and letters" rolling in! 

Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Thanks!
SN

[richidoo]

• Definitely stick with the Sansui if it can be fixed. Probably an electrolytic cap or something related. They go bad with age.  Sansui is well built and easy to fix.
• I like your dots SN!

BTW, Here's the manual: http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/sansui/9090db.shtml

[StereoNut]

Thanks, Rich!  

I will forward the manual to my techie.  

As far as the "dots" go, that's just me with my overly organized, OCD brain!  If I'm going from the front room in the house to the back and I see something (a quick task) that can be done in each of the two other rooms in between, I'll stop and do them along the way.  It's just my nature. I drive my wife and kids crazy like that.  

SN

[richidoo]

• I'm just glad someone finally used that button..
• Wives and kids deserve to be driven crazy.
• 

[StereoNut]

• Wives and kids deserve to be driven crazy.

Lord knows they return the favor all too often! 

SN

[opnly bafld]

• Bryan: Thanks for the links.  I haven't heard any Adcom stuff in a very long time, but remember it being a bit "boomy" on the bottom end, so I'm not sure.  

Keep the preamp and get this:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1288189591&/Arcam-Alpha-8P

Bryan

[StereoNut]

My bad!   Obviously, my brain read "Adcom", not "Arcam". - Duh! 

[bpape]

No problem.  The 9090 is worth some pretty serious cash if it's been redone properly and is in good shape.  Nice piece but not something I'd want to use in an every day system due more to value

The Lux stuff of that vintage was very well made and pretty much bullet proof. My cousin still has that exact piece I linked to.  Bought it new.  Has had fuses replaced every 5 years just on principle and about 5 years ago, was recapped.  Nothing really wrong at the time, just getting to the point where being preventative was a good thing. 

The thought with it was that for an office system, you'd very rarely really use a ton of power and that piece has the first 8W in class A.

The Arcam is a very basic little integrated.  Sins are those of omission rather than commission if you know what I mean.

Have fun in the hunt...

Bryan

[StereoNut]

To all:

If I decide to go the Pre & Power Amp route and keep my Parasound P/HP-850, what do you guys think of a B&K ST-140... all brawn, no beauty?

Thanks!
SN

[rollo]

   Don't rule out NAD or Rotel. Saying that if the speakers are efficient check out Vista, A simple solution is to get powered speakers like Audio Engine and sell the Pre and speakers. These little gems sound great. Several guys in our club bought them.
 Then you can sell the Cambridge and get a USB DAC and be done at the office. Less space inexpensive enough.


charles