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Thread: Integrated to pair with Rega R3s |
    
New member Username: Delvxe
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 06:52 pm: |
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Hello all,
I am looking for a couple of integrated amp recommendations for my recently acquired Rega R3s. I am considering the NAD 325BEE or C352. I considered the Brio but the lack of a remote killed it for me and the Mira is out of my price range. I expect to look for something used in the 300-400ish range. Any thoughts on the above pairings or other recommendations.
I am in Seattle and have access to some good hifi shops, but only one has the Rega equipment.
Thanks |
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Relevant Product Info
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Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 9597
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 08:30 pm: |
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ooh, Terry, wait for Art! |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 5965
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 10:00 pm: |
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Rega Brio!!!
No really if you can swing it the Rega integrateds are so much better a match for your R3's.
I'm a huge Rega speaker fan and actuallly have a full Rega system. The R3's may be the best balanced speaker in their line.
Remote or no remote the Brio is the right amp. Buy an NAD and you get a remote...but you won't get the best amp for your speakers.....period.
Seattle...Hawthorne right...cut a deal for the Brio and get off the chair. Trust me you'll get to know what volume to usually set it on. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2387
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 10:42 pm: |
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I'm with Art here.
Also, NAD won't pair up very well with Rega speakers IMO and you won't get any of that Rega magic. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2639
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 12:16 pm: |
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Poor Terry! Art and Stu on the attack! 
Well, either of the NADs should be a reasonable combination with the R3 since it's not that difficult to drive, but as has been said here, you obviously don't get the drive of the Rega amps. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 5968
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 04:03 pm: |
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Sorry...I'm a PRaT!  |
Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10
Post Number: 1034
Registered: Jun-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 05:53 pm: |
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Terry, like everyone already stated, the Brio should be a better match with the R3's. Only you can tell us what you like better. Buy the NAD and Brio and bring them home for a week, return the one you don't like. Is this not possible? Are you buying them from different stores? |
Bronze Member Username: Dudywoxer
Scunthorpe
UK
Post Number: 36
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 05:19 am: |
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Sorry fella, but when you hear he combinations, I think you'll find that the lack of a remote does not really matter. Lacking the synergy between the Brio and the R'3s will. How many times in a listening session do you a need a remote for the amp.
Half the time I am not to sure where my remote is anyway. |
Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 9604
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 06:45 am: |
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I enjoy stumbling for the loud knob, just to hear the difference in the room sometimes. |
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Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 5970
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 07:50 am: |
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Where is the OP? |
New member Username: Delvxe
Post Number: 2
Registered: Jan-08
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| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 01:12 pm: |
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I'm still here. Just waiting for someone to say it is okay to get the NAD. From the looks of it I will be waiting a long time. Seems like there is consensus here regarding synergy among the Rega components.
Yes, I know I shouldn’t let the remote thing sway me, but I will not only run music through the amp, but it will also be part of a media server. As everyone has pointed out, I don’t really need it for listening to music (I am with you there) but with movies etc, I really need a remote. I suppose for non-critical listening I could use the remote for the server, no?
Art, yes Hawthorne has the Regas and they are good to deal with. Tune downtown also carries Rega. A new Brio is a bit out of my range new, so I will keep my eyes out for something used.
Thanks for the feedback. I had reluctantly written off the Brio, but will really try to make it work.
Here is a question for the group. I have been a little reluctant to take up too much time at the hifi shops knowing that I will be buying used. How would you suggest I auditioning components? |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2394
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 01:39 pm: |
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A good thing about used components is that if you buy them for the right price and you don't like them, you can usually sell them for what you paid. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 5973
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 10:18 pm: |
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I see used Mira's from time to time on Audiogon Terry...don't be afraid to negotiate. It's worth a try!
As for your last question, to me it's buy used local where you can audition or buy on faith. I applaud you for not wasting a salesperson's time for a non sale.
I have to tell you I like the guys at Hawthorne when they look hungry for a sale, but it seems that as soon as you tell them you're not buying today they lose interest...just my observation, YMMV. |
Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 9613
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 07:24 am: |
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Bigger shops have a good stock of pre-loved units, and they are much easier to take home for a run.
I bought my big kit that way, my dealer ler me have it for a very long time. We have a very good relationship.
There is the dealer relationship thing again. |
