Budget seperates (stereo) (1 Viewer)

[Ben LG]

Ive been thinking about getting into seperates recently and was wondering if quality units can be had at my price range - $700 or should I just save the money towards a better system if I really wanted to go down the seperates route.

Some combos I was looking at:

Parasound Zamp and Zpre

Parasound PHP-850
Parasound HCA-750A

Rotel RB-1050
Rotel RC-1070

I chose these few because power is not my main concern since my room is not too big (15x10x8), Im sure I dont need anything over 100 watts. Quality sound at a reasonable volume is all I need. Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[James W. Johnson]

How about just getting a decent integrated amp? $700 should get a pretty nice one.

 

[Dan J S]

At around the same price range you could get a used integrated amp like Audio Analogue Puccini, Audio Refinement, or Creek - any of those would demolish the options you listed.

 

[Drew_W]

Well naturally, anything used will put you into a higher bracket of what you can do with your money. If you want to maximize your $$$, go used. Hit up audiogon and see what you can get.

 

[Ben LG]

Damn I cant spell.. *separates*

Anyways thanks for all the info James, I went with the B&K ST-140. So far the ST-140 sounds very nice but just a tad dark/veiled on the highs. Can anyone recommend a preamp for under $500?

FYI system specs are Infinity 2000.5 speakers, Marantz CC4300 changer and the B&K amp.

 

[Danny Tse]

I also like to get into separates and I think I have found a way to do it cheaply. I have a small den (about 12' X 15') with rather efficient speakers (Energy C-3 rated @ 92dB). Currently, I have a Cambridge Audio A500 stereo integrated amp powering the Energy's. With the pre-outs on the Cambridge, I can bypass its power amp section and use it as a pre-amp. Right now, over at audiocircle.com there's a very interesting thread on the TEAC A-L700P 3 channel power amp. It's Tripath digital amp rated at 30 watts/channel. The poster of the thread is replacing a Sugden integrated amp with the TEAC and has been very positive with its performance powering a pair of Totem floorstanding speakers. The best thing about it is that it's only $99.00 from J&R.

I will be getting one of these to power my Energy C-3 soon.