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Here
we provide some tips for buying an
integrated amplifier. This should be
particularly helpful if you are
buying a stereo amplifier for the
first time - perhaps upgrading from
a mini system or an iPod. |
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Tips for Buying an Integrated Amplifier
1. Hammer out a budget and be
prepared to be flexible and spend
$300 to $500 more – or less.
Entry level amplifiers that give you
more than a taste of very expensive
amplifiers will cost between $599
and $1199. Spend $1200 to $2500 and
you'll get twice the sound quality
of the entry level amplifier as well
as twice the build quality.
Amplifiers above $3000 are usually
as well finished as a Swiss watch,
sing as well as a world-class tenor,
and are usually also objects of
desire.
2. All amplifiers have ample
connections for many other pieces of
audio equipment such as a CD player
and digital radio. But please note,
most do not have the built-in
technology called a "phono stage" to
cater for a turntable. A few do. But
the good news is that all amplifiers
have a connection you can use to add
on an outboard "phono stage."
3. Some amplifiers will run two
pairs of loudspeakers. One pair can
be wired to another living room. You
can choose to have the same music
played back in two rooms or parts of
your house at the same time. Or you
may wish to send music to outdoor
speakers on your patio.
4. More features do not make an
amplifier sound better. The very
best sounding amplifiers have all
the money spent on vital parts such
as the power supply. They are
minimalist models that don't even
have tone controls.
5. Listen to amplifiers that cost
less and some that cost more than
your budget. That gives you a unique
scale of excellence that shows how
well you've spent your hard-earned.
6. Don't be surprised that some
cheaper models seem to have more fun
factor than the expensive models,
which are short on thrills but low
on long term listening fatigue.
Remember you're buying an amplifier
for the long haul.
7. Take your favourite CDs or music
stored on your iPod to audition
amplifiers. But make sure you take
tracks featuring female vocal and
acoustic instruments as well.
8. Pick the amplifier which is the
easiest to listen to. | |
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