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Decent used amp for phono under $100.00

75.111.25.76
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 06:57:13
sanman
Audiophile

Posts: 807
Location: Redwood Coast
Joined: November 13, 2004
 I am gifting and delivering my vintage Pioneer TT with shure mx 91 cartridge to my 23 yr old daughter. She also needs an amp as she typically does Ipod. She does have freestanding speakers(no idea which, she lives 1000 miles away) I don't want to give anything too old which may cause issues, so I'm thinking late 80's vintage and up. Any thoughts?

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 5, 2009 at 17:07:14
Neff
 Rotel RX-950AX FM receiver having HD immunity plus a phono section. Manufacture started in 1992. Modern design & appearance with remote control for the younger crowd. I heard this Rotel a few weeks ago & was impressed being SS design. $100 is a push, but I seen close to that price on eBay in past. Rotel is considered higher-end.

Ipod will not bring out the best though, so perhaps too high quality?

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 3, 2009 at 12:41:34
Ross
Audiophile

Posts: 282
Joined: January 24, 2000
 NAD Receiver or Adcom GTP400/535 combo. Both have excellent phono stages, are reliable and sound better than most of the mid 70's-80's drek out there.

Currently useing NAD 7060, 7020, 7120, 7240 receivers in my house and all work without any problems. Newest 1 is 20yrs old.

Best,

Ross

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 3, 2009 at 07:50:42
Tadlo
Audiophile

Posts: 1216
Location: midwest
Joined: March 8, 2003
 The early to mid 90's Denon DRA-3xx receivers usually go for less than $100 on ebay. They are reliable, have remote, sound decent, and will not look old fashioned. Late 80's Denon and Onkyo are good choices. If you were willing to go as high as $200 you can get a new Pioneer Elite integrated on ebay.

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 3, 2009 at 07:24:42
briggs
Audiophile

Posts: 428
Location: Connecticut
Joined: April 16, 2002
 I'd check out the local Goodwill or other thrifts and see what they have. From what you described, most any good brand should suffice.

I needed an amp for my tv. After a few visits, my wife found a very acceptable Technics receiver at Goodwill for $20. Works and sounds fine.

Same situation here..., posted on November 3, 2009 at 05:48:14
MaxwellP
Audiophile

Posts: 175
Location: upstate new york
Joined: September 19, 2007
 My 23-yr-old daughter has a turntable already, so for her birthday this week I picked up a used NAD 7120 receiver (w/ a good MM phono section) and Infinity Reference Two speakers. Both for a combined total of $90 on Craigs List. Sound is pretty darn good and should make her happy. Good luck...

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 3, 2009 at 05:20:46
Tubesteak
Audiophile

Posts: 90
Joined: September 23, 2000
 Might be able to score a Sony ES integrated amp for around 100 bucks. I picked up a Luxman recently off %^bay but had to return it.

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 3, 2009 at 00:05:49
bassbinotoko
Audiophile

Posts: 88
Location: Vancouver Island
Joined: January 27, 2009
 Old Pioneers can have noisy switches, judging by a couple I have. How about NAD? They have more audiophile chi than most stuff from Japan, although they are very lacking in shiny anodized aluminumness. The oldest one I have (7120) has no issues with bad controls, FWIW. (There's one on eBay now, with original packing, but I expect it'll sell for more than your limit. A previous one in worse shape was $115.)

I'd be inclined to go with whatever I could find locally at a thrift store, yard sale, or recycling yard free store. Alternatively, see if there was a store near her that sold vintage hifi. Sometimes used vinyl stores carry a selection of refurbished turntables and other gear. This would avoid shipping risk and cost, and having nearby vinyl tech support could be worth paying a premium for.

Luckily, I'm driving the stuff!, posted on November 3, 2009 at 07:25:01
sanman
Audiophile

Posts: 807
Location: Redwood Coast
Joined: November 13, 2004
 Made it a road trip specifically to deliver a few things(she's got a house now)otherwise, no way I'm shipping a TT!
Excellent tips from y'all as usual...

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 2, 2009 at 16:33:13
Bold Eagle
Audiophile

Posts: 5466
Location: America's Heartland
Joined: May 27, 2001
 look for a late 80's Onkyo Integra Series receiver. Solid build and a pretty decent phono preamp. I have the TX870 (105 w/ch) but there are smaller ones as well.

Jerry

Pioneer SX-3700, posted on November 2, 2009 at 16:03:33
rtbarr
Audiophile

Posts: 463
Joined: July 15, 2001
 I bought one of these receivers several years ago and have been using it at work to listen to radio and CDs. I have not tried the phono inputs, but they should be adequate.

This model is after the "golden age" of receivers, but has nice meters and sounds very smooth and analog. It has both digital and analog tuning indicators. The output meters are the neat fluorescent type. I think it is about 35 watts/channel. It doesn't require the non-standard speaker wire connectors that are missing from so many vintage Pioneer receivers.

I have selected a random eBay auction so you can see a picture of it.

I think this is a "sleeper" and will sell for less than $50.

Got this for..., posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:50:13
docw
Audiophile

Posts: 5887
Location: So. California
Joined: July 23, 2004
Contributor
  Since: November 29, 2004











$50 plus $20 shipping; a bit dirty, needed a good cleaning, which I did.
The newer ones are going for mid $100 or so.


PMA-300V
55w/ch, phono section, MM/MC switch, very clean amp and cheaper parts but quiet. Surprised me. (crazy dave will tell ya).

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 2, 2009 at 10:46:14
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 5944
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 Denon recievers are very reliable, have great phono sections and tuners, and are under the radar. The same is true about Kyocera and more, but they are hader to find. Niko and Scott recievers are also sleepers.

Dave

How about a Marantz 1060 or Yamaha Natural Sound amp ?, posted on November 5, 2009 at 16:02:26
Interstage Tranny
Audiophile

Posts: 1403
Location: Eastern
Joined: October 4, 2006
 For a little more money, I would find a Phase Linear 2000 preamp mated to a small tube amp, like one of those low power 6BQ5 console amp pull-outs. Don't be afraid of older, even if you can't fix 'em. Often, they are ready to use for many more years. Playing back records thru the Phase Lin pre into tube amps is sweeeet...

RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 2, 2009 at 08:17:02
elto
 Find yourslf a good runing Pioneer sx 650-750- or 680-780
around 45-80
reliable- stable - phono section is decent
fm very good ...just a very good mid level
receiver
RE: Decent used amp for phono under $100.00, posted on November 2, 2009 at 07:56:21
Cleantimestream
Audiophile

Posts: 1516
Location: Kentucky
Joined: June 30, 2005
 I would lurk around E-Bay for a cheap snipe..............Pioneer integrated for 5 dollars...............20 to ship.........100% feedback...............that sort of thing. Certain brands from mid 70's have proven extremely reliable Sansui 551 series, Marantz prices have risen a lot lately. Onkyo makes good kit and is OEM for most other Japanese brands. Audiogon if there is no time crunch.
"The Sound of One Hand Clapping is Crashing by Design" HKM

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