Dear all,
I know there are already a few other posts like this, but I just want to get the latest opinion.

Right now I have a pair of M22 hooked up to an AIWA XR-H66MD (shelf stereo w/ CD and MD changers). I really don't think it's got enough power to drive the speakers, cause I'm never able to get it to be loud enough (my room is about 20x12), aside from not taking advantage of the great sound quality of the M22.

So, I would like to spend less than $500 on a nice setup. Is it better to get a preprocessor and amp setup or an integrated amp? Does a nice CD player really make that much difference on the sound?

Thanks for your help in advance.

for 500 you can get a little system that will make em sing. They are probbly starved dearly hooked to the Aiwa.

You would be better off getting an integrated, at this price range, its a must. And yes i believe that a better cd player will sound alot better. Especially if you talking about using the aiwa.

THIS WOULD BE A GREAT AMP

and actually thats their clearance demo one so if you dont snatch it up someone else will. This is the old model (but quite good) and because the new models came out nobody really has these anymore. I would feel confident enough in that amp to simply hit add to cart. Although it is a demo model which means there might be some cosmetic blemishes. probbly on the remote. But they also use them to take pics for the catalog, so maybe not.

As for a cd player. you in luck. This one would be a perfect match for the amp, and these originally sold for 500 bucks. i have the little brother to this cd player and am very happy with it. 280 bucks is really a good price for this peice of equipment. But like i said if your interested in it, dont sit around thinking on it for days because these could be gone tomorrow. D500SE cd player

it would come to over 500 bucks but would be well worth it. you saving alot of money buying demo and clearance equipment. add 30 bucks for cables and you got yourself a real nice system.

reading http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_115659_2717crx.aspx
it appears that most people paid only $250 at audioadvisor? They're charging more now for a demo?

I'll second the recommendation of Cambridge Audio. I just picked up the Azur 540 integrated, and it sounds great. Hunting Audiogon for a used NAD or Rotel is also a very viable option.

so what features are the A500 lacking? It's only $5 cheaper than your Azur

I dunno about the pricing, maybe the other people also got demo models? anyhow its a fair price for that amp, and i also would reccomend a used or new NAD. the C-350 would work well, i use the C370 with my M80's and am very pleased. although the NAD models would probbly be more than the Cambridge. Im sure that you would be really surpeised how much better it would sound with a nice amp and cd player even if it does break the budget! lol

As of right now, I'm considering the Cambridge you have recommended, and the NAD 521BEE integrated amp and the C521BEE CD player. I'm interested to see your thoughts on the NAD and the comparison. Thanks

You mean the C320 BEE integrated. This is a highly regarded amp and actually, i would rather own the C320BEE over the cambridge. I dont think theres much more to say as far as that goes.

Im not familar with the cd player, in fact i didnt even know they had that model until i looked on the site. NAD cd players have in the past had some reliability and cd reading problems concerning the disc trays but those have since been resolved and im sure the NAD cd player is comparable to the Cambridge one. Same goes for the amp but i believe the NAD amp is probbly better than the cambridge A500. If it were me i would probbly go for the NAD and the D500SE cd player, but like i said im not at all familar with the new NAD cd player and for all i know its alot better than the cambridge.

I own both NAD and Cambridge gear and am pleased with both so either way you go im sure you will be happy with your choice.

Thanks very much for your help so far. I found some sites selling the NAD C320 and C321 combo refurbished for about $460... which is a few bucks cheaper than the cambridge combo... hmmm.... if only I can hear them in person.

i'm in the market for a new cdplayer myself
has anyone heard either the Cambridge Audio Azur 640c
NAD 541i or the Music Hall MMF CD-25?
anyone with preferences in this price range?

Jefft just make sure who ever you buy NAD from (if thats your choice) make sure theyre authorized dealers. There are only a couple of authorized online dealers i know of (soundcity and YAWA). if you dont buy from an authorized dealer you wont get a warranty so beware. Yawa is a good place to buy from, i bought my C370 there. great folks.

The azur line is simply the updated product line. There are apparently a whole pile of technical upgrades from the previous line (i.e A500), but I haven't a clue what they mean performance-wise.

You might consider the NAD 521i as well, dandy little unit for the bucks...intregrated? Had the new Cambrige very briefly...not my cup of tea..not sure about that, there isnt much out there for 300.00, that is worth listening to.

I had a D500SE CDP for a short while. Did not like it. Haven't heard their amps. I'd go with a used higher end amp before I'd go with Cambridge. Same for a CDP. JMO.

Hey,

Just another suggestions: After shopping around extensively (and strongly considering the Cambridge A500), I recently purchased a little Parasound setup for my M3ti's that I'm very pleased with. You can get a Parasound HCA-750 amplifier (75wx2) and a PLD-1100 preamp off ebay for about $175 each. I've had them for about 6 months now and they really make my Axiom's sing. Parasound makes great solid equipment and you can find some great used stuff on either ebay or audiogon.

-Josh

check out the Panasonic digital receiver sa-xr45. use a cd player or dvd player with coxial or digital cable to the receiver. The panasonic is $300. do a google search or read the countless pages on audiocircle about it. It's sounds incredible.

Duff, you're absolutely right!! Panasonic's digitally amped 45 receiver is incredible. With a bit of break in (stand back, here come those who know there's no such thing) and maybe an upgraded couple of caps and power cord (that's right) you'll have a giant killer!

if you're going to buy NAD I would check out http://www.saturdayaudio.com/ . they are an authorized dealer and I got my NEW setup for cheaper than the others sites selling refurbed. very good customer service also.

I know most are recommending an integrated amp, but another option for a receiver is the Denon DRA-685. 100wpc,0.05% thd, tone defeat (bypass), pre-out/main-in jacks. This is powering my M3ti's. Amazing sound. Can be purchased as a factory refurb for around $250.00.

I agree with the Parasound setup. I have an Outlaw 950 and a Parasound HCA855a (85X5) amp driving my Epic 80 system. WOW! Plenty of power (I have read in several places where the 855a actually puts out about 90wpc 20-20k with ALL CHANNELS driven. Get that out of your typical $1500 receiver! The 750a does about the same as far as output, and sounds just as sweet.

For what it's worth I'm using an NAD C-340 that I got on fleabay for $160. It's discontinued so they usually go cheap. It rated 50 wpc and does a great job with my 22's.

I have an older NAD setup also. It would be a good choice too.