Nad is, in my opinion the best value for money I've come across. As for the others, I wouldn't like to comment, as it is only reviews I have to go on with them. And you know what they say about reviews....
Jarvis, you mentioned a Sony TAFE370 and the Pioneer A-209R in your other post. These are not amps I've listened to, however I will offer that Sony, since they are a very large company who provide a lot of mass production, do also dabble successfully in the High-end of audio. NAD, Rotel, Creek, Cambridge Audio, Musical Fidelity and Acoustic Research, to name but a few specialize more in the making of high-end audio and very little else. The question is, do you want your sound tailored by a specialist, or a jack-of-all trades?
Many people swear by the Marantz brand. It used to be simply the name given to the high-end of Philips, as Technics still is to Panasonic. Again, good kit - just perhaps not as specialist as the British, European and American amp makers.
Just because many of these are now manufactured in the orient, doesn't (or shouldn't) detract from their original build character. That again depends on the brand. The important thing is, that with these makes, you are getting a mid-to-high end specialist amplifier at a price still comparible to the mass produced ones.
The money in the Japanese mass market seems to go into features and a good dose of sound quality, whereas a less featured amp, made by a smaller company who has a real musical/sonic intention for you may offer a more refined sound in my opinion.
Hope this helps in making your choice.... Just look deeper into the market before you buy. I blew my wad on all Technics in my teens, only to start reading Hi-Fi mags soon after I bought it. When I looked at the descriptions and the prices, a deep sense of regret started washing over me. I hadn't looked far enough before buying impulsively.
I am using to this day, an amp which cost me no more than £20. It is an ancient thing, which outshines one I bought last year for £120 (and that was a Richer knock down, it's RRP being much higher).
Your budget will only really get you something to shout about brand new if it is a knockdown price, factory repack or second hand goods. The obvious downside is, you don't get a gaurantee with second hand goods bought from Ebay, other than a recommendation the seller is sound.
It's up to you. I think you need to listen to something first. Try the NAD 320 BEE (£179.00 from Richer Sounds) or a Rotel of the same price range against the Pioneer and the Sony. That ought to prove my point, I think.
To listen, you'll need to go to a Hi-Fi specialist, then tell them politely you'll think about it, or you need to get to a cashpoint. Then get yourself over to Richer's to buy it.
What am I saying! No, don't do that. Even I wouldn't do that. It's rude. In fact Richer Sounds will let you take the gear home on a 14 day trial. If you don't like it, take it back and exchange it. I have heard they'll even refund you, if you don't like it.
Alright, thanks, your comments sound interesting and decent. I've heard of Marantz before, but only seen amplifiers of theirs that cost like 400 pound. Cambridge Audio I've also heard of, so I'll consider them. Never heard of NAD! You say 'refined' as in a 'straight' style of sound im guessing rather than specialized which is unique and noticable compared, but to be honest I really don't know which would be best.
