Cambridge vs HK

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 566
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 06:51 pm:

I am piecing together a living room setup and need a recommendation for an amp. Without having speakers I know it is a tough question, but I am looking for a general answer. I was thinking about spending approximately $450 and am thinking either a Cambridge Azur 540 or HK 3490. What would you guys recommend? Others brands/models are welcome also.

Thanks

David Mitchell

Gold Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 3160
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 07:05 pm:

If these were you're only two choices I'd take the CA over the HK in a heartbeat. I take it this is for a music only system?

You may want to look at NAD and Rotel integrateds as well.

Deciding on what speakers you want is important, since some speakers don't mesh so well with some amplifiers.

Nuck

Platinum Member

Username: Nuck

Post Number: 13752
Registered: Dec-04

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 08:32 pm:

db, piecing together means hearache

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 567
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 09:29 pm:

Its tough investing in something I cant hear first but I live in Montana and have only one hi-fi store within 200 miles, which sells Krell, ML, etc...stuff I can't touch on my budget.
Therefore, I have to go off of recommendations.

I think what I will do is decide on a combo first instead of "piecing," based on someone who already has the combo. Speaker-wise, I am concentrating on swan, monitor audio, totem, etc.

I want to spend around 1k, so I have budgeted around 500-600 for the speaker. It would be for music only and I listen to mostly trance, new age, and soft rock.

Anything you have heard/owned that I could get for around 1k I would be all-ears.

Thanks again

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 568
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 10:58 pm:

Also, I only have background with AV receivers and have not done a 2-channel setup before. Just to clear up - I need an integrated amp, correct? Just making sure I don't buy something and then need something else.

Thanks again

leo stierer

Silver Member

Username: Magfan

USA

Post Number: 558
Registered: Oct-07

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 01:53 am:

db,
Some hi-end stores have all the big stuff but also an 'entry level' hi-end line.
Near me is a store which carries Rotel and another which carries CA as there entry lines. The 'other' stuff stocked includes Krell, ML, Mac, Pass Labs, Naim, Rega, B&W and much else.
Couldn't hurt to call and ask?

If you have the space, being a BIG fan of panels I'd say to write to White Bear Lake Minn. and ask 'em to send you some MMG's on trial. Magnepan will let you try 'em for 30 days, on approval.

Most good 100/side integrated amps should handle these speakers given it doesn't sound like you are a nosebleed loudness type.

Platinum Member

Username: Artk

Albany, Oregon
USA

Post Number: 10931
Registered: Feb-05

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 02:06 am:

Given you music preference I would consider a pair of used Totem Rainmakers...I think they would be ideal for trance, new age and soft rock. Usually can be had for $500-600 on the used market at Agon.

Neil Waterman

Silver Member

Username: Jazzman71

Phoenix, AZ
USA

Post Number: 938
Registered: Dec-07

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 01:39 pm:

db,

While I cannot personally recommend the Rainmakers (have not heard them), I think Art is spot on recommending used on your budget. The fact is you'll get a lot more system, and if you decide something is not for you, you won't take nearly as big a hit when you sell.

Can't afford MF, bah.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1260114648&/Musical-Fidelity-A3- Dual-Mono-

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/musical-fidelity/integrated-amplifiers/a3/PRD_115 992_2717crx.aspx

http://www.audioasylum.com/reviews/Integrated-Amplifier-SS/Musical-Fidelity/A3/g eneral/225875.html

Looks like a lot of amp for the money, and has decent phono stages built in if you have or decide to get a turntable.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1260748421&/Soliloquy-5.3

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/459/index5.html

These speakers will also pair nicely with a relatively low powered tube amp if your future explorations take you in that direction. You can also navigate around and find out what others have paired with any amp you are considering.

Note, these are not so much recommendations as they are an illustration of the steps I would take as an approach your situation. Yes, you are a disadvantage not being able to go to a shop and listen, but there is a wealth of information on line. If you are in the States, stick with Audiogon.

Happy Hunting!

Gold Member

Username: Exerciseguy

Fort Hamilton, NY
United States

Post Number: 3014
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 02:23 pm:

You can land an HK3490 for under $200 from Harman's eBay auctions, or an 3390, 3485 or 3385 for even less (I recently saw a 3390 sell for about $80!), and if you are on a budget, any is an uncompromised choice; you are as likely to prefer the HK to the Cambridge, IMHO.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_sidZ26519532?_nkw=3490
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_sidZ26519532?_nkw=3390
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_sidZ26519532?_nkw=3485

Another great budget choice is the Marantz SR4021 for $199
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4021/Marantz/Sr4021-Recei ver-80w-X-2ch-Stereo-With-Video-Switching/1.html

or if you want to push the budget a bit, the NAD C725BEE for $599
http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/C725Bee.asp .

Good luck.

Platinum Member

Username: Artk

Albany, Oregon
USA

Post Number: 10933
Registered: Feb-05

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 02:58 pm:

That NAD is a nice little receiver.

Gold Member

Username: Exerciseguy

Fort Hamilton, NY
United States

Post Number: 3015
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 04:22 pm:

If money wasn't an issue, the NAD would be my first choice.

Chris H

Silver Member

Username: Hawkbilly

Nova Scotia
Canada

Post Number: 707
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 05:27 pm:

I've heard the NAD receivers head-to-head with Denon's offerings and the Denon's hold up very well. Very good performance on both the audio and video front, and according to the dealer that I frequent the most they've had no reliability issues with them.

Gold Member

Username: Exerciseguy

Fort Hamilton, NY
United States

Post Number: 3016
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 09:39 pm:

I just watched an HK3390 sell for $91 from Harman on eBay.

Platinum Member

Username: Artk

Albany, Oregon
USA

Post Number: 10934
Registered: Feb-05

Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2009 - 10:01 pm:

That's a good price for a decent product. It would depend on the speakers chosen whether it would be a good match.

Gold Member

Username: Exerciseguy

Fort Hamilton, NY
United States

Post Number: 3019
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 09:59 pm:

...and an HK3485 for $93 tonight.

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 569
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 06:57 pm:

Those deals are for refurbished pieces though...which I am a little skeptical of. What are your thoughts on refurb equipment?

As long as it is under warranty I guess it's history does not matter.

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 570
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 07:00 pm:

Also, I shop around on audiogon a lot and now that I am looking at integrated amps I want to make sure I am looking at the right stuff...

For amps, what category do I want to be looking at if I only want 1 piece of equipment (amp-multi, amp-solid, etc)

Thanks

Gold Member

Username: Exerciseguy

Fort Hamilton, NY
United States

Post Number: 3026
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 07:01 pm:

Virtullay all of my gear is refurb., most from the very same Haman eBay store. It is as new, if not actually new as I believe it is.

Chris H

Silver Member

Username: Hawkbilly

Nova Scotia
Canada

Post Number: 708
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 07:24 pm:

DB, you probably want to look at int-tran or receiver categories.

Trevor (formerly TDog)

Silver Member

Username: Tdogroeder

Des Moines, IA

Post Number: 185
Registered: Sep-05

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 09:03 am:

Have you considered Marantz receivers?

Accessories4less sells onkyo & marantz a very good deal, some are refurb and some are new.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/StereoReceivers/Home-Audio /Stereo-Receivers/1.html?results.per.page=4adf0694

Silver Member

Username: Tpizzle

Post Number: 571
Registered: Apr-05

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 01:50 pm:

Are Marantz and Onkyo in the same league at any given price? I have heard Marantz is warm sounding, which is what I would like but I never considered them to be competitive with a lower level NAD or mid level Cambridge.

Platinum Member

Username: Artk

Albany, Oregon
USA

Post Number: 10949
Registered: Feb-05

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 02:53 pm:

For HT applications I would prefer Marantz and Onkyo to NAD and Cambridge and I've owned AVR's by all but Cambridge. Music however is another matter. NAD sounds better than any of the above for music to my ears. Marantz is better than it gets credit for though I think...depends on what you expect from an AVR for music.