Vintage amp (Luxman) or a used newish amp (Cambridge Audio) - dilemma

[Nik76]

Dear ASR forum members,
I am a first-time poster but have been following ASR for years.
I am in the process of rebuilding my HiFi home setup and would appreciate any feedback from the members on amplifier selection. My budget is very limited, so I am forced to consider used amplifiers. I have a dilemma whether to buy a working vintage amplifier and service it (replace caps, adjust bias, etc) or buy a used but newer date amplifier that doesn’t require servicing. At this moment I have considered only class A/B amplifiers (a good class D for now seems out of reach).

Currently, I am considering the following vintage units that are available locally:
-Luxman L430 or L410
-Rotel Ra 870 BX

Or newer units that don’t need servicing:
-Cambridge Audio CXA80
-Marantz PM-7004

Older units, including servicing, will probably cost me approximately 500 Eur, similar as the newer units that don’t need any servicing (I can have CXA80 for app 550 Eur). Currently I am leaning towards the Cambridge Audio unit, but I am worried about the unit’s reliability, (have read that some users complain about issues with the CXA80). I was originally aiming for 100W per channel, but obviously budget is an issue .
Amplifier will be paired with a DIY 3-way loudspeakers currently under construction. Speakers are expected to be fairly sensitive 93dB/W. Current crossover simulations (from quasi-anechoic speaker measurements, speaker impedance measurements and VituixCad software simulations) show that impedance will dip to 2.9-3.0 ohms at 100-150Hz, so amplifier should be able to handle low impedance loads.

Any information/feedback is highly appreciated!

 

[Oddball]

Impossible to guess the failure rate between those unless we have some stats, which we don't.

Can say that my 15 year old Rotels 1070 work like a charm and show no sign of service needed. Luxman has a buzz like being built like a tank, but never had it. Brystons that I own can apparently go for 30 years (some even without service) especially if you reduce the heat (bias etc).

Never owned or explored Cambridge. Marantz usually builds stuff to last.

So I guess you will need to take a leap of faith.

 

[lini]

(...) Any information/feedback is highly appreciated! (...)

Recent vs. older might as well also be a question of which features you'd need or like to have. For example, hardly any modern integrated amps still feature classic tape-loops with monitoring function - not so great, if you'd like to hook up a classic tape/cassette recorder with three heads/confidence monitoring or if you'd like to integrate some sort of EQ, processor or filter. Or maybe you'd llike your integrated amp to sport a mono switch or a subsonic filter...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Nik76]

Recent vs. older might as well also be a question of which features you'd need or like to have. For example, hardly any modern integrated amps still feature classic tape-loops with monitoring function - not so great, if you'd like to hook up a classic tape/cassette recorder with three heads/confidence monitoring or if you'd like to integrate some sort of EQ, processor or filter. Or maybe you'd llike your integrated amp to sport a mono switch or a subsonic filter...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

Good points, but in my case, I don't need tape or phono inputs. I also don't need any tonal balance controls, or even DAC as these will be handled by WIIM pro plus that provides DAC and streaming services as well as some room correction from REW and calibrated mic that I will input later.
So, only amplification part is what is important for me in this case. Probably should have mentioned that from the start
Thanks for sharing your thoughts though, - appreciated.

 

[Timcognito]

Look at class D here are two recent reviews there are many others too.

O-Noorus D3 Pro Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the O-Noorus D3 Pro stereo class D desktop amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $249 with the included 48 volt@5 amp power supply. As you see, the D3 Pro has a colorful display. I like the large volume indicator whose color and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[SSS]

Dear ASR forum members,
I am a first-time poster but have been following ASR for years.
I am in the process of rebuilding my HiFi home setup and would appreciate any feedback from the members on amplifier selection. My budget is very limited, so I am forced to consider used amplifiers. I have a dilemma whether to buy a working vintage amplifier and service it (replace caps, adjust bias, etc) or buy a used but newer date amplifier that doesn’t require servicing. At this moment I have considered only class A/B amplifiers (a good class D for now seems out of reach).

Currently, I am considering the following vintage units that are available locally:
-Luxman L430 or L410
-Rotel Ra 870 BX

Or newer units that don’t need servicing:
-Cambridge Audio CXA80
-Marantz PM-7004

Older units, including servicing, will probably cost me approximately 500 Eur, similar as the newer units that don’t need any servicing (I can have CXA80 for app 550 Eur). Currently I am leaning towards the Cambridge Audio unit, but I am worried about the unit’s reliability, (have read that some users complain about issues with the CXA80). I was originally aiming for 100W per channel, but obviously budget is an issue .
Amplifier will be paired with a DIY 3-way loudspeakers currently under construction. Speakers are expected to be fairly sensitive 93dB/W. Current crossover simulations (from quasi-anechoic speaker measurements, speaker impedance measurements and VituixCad software simulations) show that impedance will dip to 2.9-3.0 ohms at 100-150Hz, so amplifier should be able to handle low impedance loads.

Any information/feedback is highly appreciated!

Can't say which ones are more reliable. But my experience is that units built from 1990 up don't need servicing. If you check the units prior to buy and they are OK then you may choose according to power need and the features. Personally I prefer built with discrete transistors instead of ICs especially the power section. Transistors are availble in the future, spcial ICs may not. Had this experience too.

 

[Nik76]

Look at class D here are two recent reviews there are many others too.

O-Noorus D3 Pro Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the O-Noorus D3 Pro stereo class D desktop amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $249 with the included 48 volt@5 amp power supply. As you see, the D3 Pro has a colorful display. I like the large volume indicator whose color and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Timecognito, thanks for the information regarding class D amplifiers, I wasn't aware that these are so cheap and can deliver so much power with high quality for such a low price! I will definitely look closer into class D amps as alternative to the options I am considering. Amirs reviews of D class amps are definitely a good starting point for me

 

[Timcognito]

Timecognito, thanks for the information regarding class D amplifiers, I wasn't aware that these are so cheap and can deliver so much power with high quality for such a low price! I will definitely look closer into class D amps as alternative to the options I am considering. Amirs reviews of D class amps are definitely a good starting point for me

Welcome to ASR. I have sent this advice to other new members to speed their searches. Just FYI ignore if you already up on this. Good luck.

Select Review Index (upper left) -> click electronics (in banner) -> Search Box (type bands you like or not and in your case speaker amp) -> Sort (click column headers of interest, maybe price) -> Read comments of one's you have interest (Much information is there to answer the same concerns and interests that you may have). Remember Amir generally does not use all features that may be of interest but many members do. Come back with questions, take your time.

 

[Wolf11Man]

There is a whole bunch of cheap Class-D amps that will rival the best amps around, new and old.
Many of them need an external power supply. Basically something like an e-Bike charger (stronger ones) or laptop brick (weaker ones). In most households you will find something from 18-30 Volt that will do for a start.
These supplies are most important for the power output and, to a lesser grade, sound quality.
If you simply want the best from a performance/ price ratio, you can simply buy a "Meanwell" SMPS of the matching voltage, connect some matching wires + plug and call it a day.
For looks maybe build a case for it.
If you go for a TDA3255 powered amp, for example a "MW LRS-600N2-48" would be a match, even for high loads. You get them from eBay, around 70€.
Just to answer a question you sure will ask when you dig deeper into those small D-amps.
So if you are not afraid to buy from Aliexpress or some factory shop, less than 200€ should buy you a top class amp including power supply.

PS restoring older amps is very time consuming, expensive and complicated, as many parts are not that easy to get hold of from reliable sources. Anything from eBay will be fake, just to cut that short.

 

[DSJR]

Cheap Class D amps will be in cheap basic cases and if that doesn't matter, then fine

Luxman went through a flaky patch in the early 80s with slimline products that seemed to lack the lushness of build, feel and sound I remember. The L230 and L430 were recommended in HiFi Choice tests of the period (on worldradiohistory if you look it up in the UK audio-mag pages) and they saw a return to more solid looking products before they went mad again

Nothing against Rotel, but the 900 series of amps were where I came in to demming and selling the range, before they changed distribution in the UK to B&W for a while I recall.

 

[Mnyb]

If your only source is the WiiM you simply need just a power amp as the WiiM can provide volume controll .

Concur that there is a plethore class-D amps at friendly prices .

 

[Nik76]

Thanks Timcognito and Wolf11Man, for information regarding Class D amps. Been reading a lot in the past few weeks, checking out tests, reviews, as well as shops and what not...
@ Mnyb, that is one of the options I considered, to use WIIM and a power amp. In the mean time, I may come in the possession of the WIIMI ultra streamer/preamp so I began to focus on class D power amps in 500Eur range. Hypex seems to be highly regarded, and after a lot of searching, I found the following two that I am considering:

-Audiophonics MPA-S250NCX (Hypex NcoreX NCx252MP)
-IOM Ultra (Hypex NcoreX NCx252MP - 250W option)

The second one seems to be built to accompany the WIIM Ultra, which is a nice bonus I WIIM Ultra comes through
Both amps have enough power (always welcome) and seem to be stable down to 2 ohms (welcome for my speakers). Both are shipped from EU, so shipping/tax/customs are less costly than Great Britain options.

Any opinions/suggestions are very welcome!

 

[Timcognito]

Thanks Timcognito and Wolf11Man, for information regarding Class D amps. Been reading a lot in the past few weeks, checking out tests, reviews, as well as shops and what not...
@ Mnyb, that is one of the options I considered, to use WIIM and a power amp. In the mean time, I may come in the possession of the WIIMI ultra streamer/preamp so I began to focus on class D power amps in 500Eur range. Hypex seems to be highly regarded, and after a lot of searching, I found the following two that I am considering:

-Audiophonics MPA-S250NCX (Hypex NcoreX NCx252MP)
-IOM Ultra (Hypex NcoreX NCx252MP - 250W option)

The second one seems to be built to accompany the WIIM Ultra, which is a nice bonus I WIIM Ultra comes through
Both amps have enough power (always welcome) and seem to be stable down to 2 ohms (welcome for my speakers). Both are shipped from EU, so shipping/tax/customs are less costly than Great Britain options.

Any opinions/suggestions are very welcome!

Like your approach and thanks for the acknowledgement. I am really enjoying my new Mini 300 not only for the performance and price but the shelf space I got back and the trigger, as it is in my garage/shop which has me prone to think about other things than turning it off. Avoid analysis paralysis and buy. Audiophonics is a member favorite here but I have never used.