Buying a Stereo, Part 2: Receiver or Integrated Amp?

Let's start with the heart of a "stereo," the receiver. The receiver is actually 3 things combined into one box: an amplifier (powers the speakers), a preamplifier (all the source switching, volume control), and a tuner (the radio). The simple stereo receiver is an endangered breed today. All the mass market electronics companies have abandoned it to sell "multichannel home theater" receivers. Most of the smaller audiophile companies never made a receiver in the first place, preferring to sell "integrated amplifiers" (just like a receiver, but without the radio).

But you're going to need some kind of amplifier, intrepid stereo buyer. So let's figure out what you want.

Do you need a radio? There are lots of relatively inexpensive, great sounding, integrated amplifiers out there. That means no radio. How often to you actually listen to the radio through your stereo (as opposed to NPR on a radio in the kitchen)? Also, you can always hook a radio (aka "tuner") to your integrated amp if you want to. I really like the table radios sold by Tivoli.

If you really want a radio built into the same box, then you'll be looking for a traditional "receiver." Here are a couple I'd recommend:

Denon DRA-395 ($350 retail, ~$200 for a refurb unit) - among the mass market Japanese companies, Denon has perhaps the best reputation for audio quality. They are among the few that still make 2-channel receivers. I haven't personally heard this one, but that's what I'd buy if I only had $200 to spend. The refurbished units come with a factory backed 1 year warranty, but make sure you buy from a Denon authorized online seller (Dakmart seems to have the biggest selection of Denon receivers).

Outlaw RR2150 ($599, mailorder only) - Outlaw has made quite a name for itself selling home theater products direct to consumers, and now they've built what they call "the last great receiver." I own one, and it's been well reviewed by the audio press. Plenty of high quality power, includes a USB input for your computer (and will sound much better than your computer's sound card), and sounds good. Worth the extra money if you intend to use your computer as your music source, and can put it close enough to the stereo to connect with a USB cable.

If you don't need a radio in the same box, you've got more high quality options in integrated amps. This is what I'd buy if I were building an inexpensive, but good sounding, stereo system:

NAD 320BBE ($399 retail, on sale now $299, used ~$220) - the audiophile press LOVES this integrated amp, and has always hailed NAD as the best maker of "entry level" audio gear. 50 real watts per channel, probably all you need.

Cambridge Audio 540A ($399, older v1 on sale now ~$299) - this is NOT Cambridge Soundworks, but rather is a UK company that does assembly in China. There are now "v1" and "v2" versions of this integrated amp, but both have been well reviewed. Clean sophisticated look, especially in silver.

Creek 4330R (~$300 used) - no longer in production, this small, simple integrated amp was a huge favorite among audiophiles for many years. When it came out in 1997, one reviewer said, "The best sounding amplifier you can buy for under $1000." The "R" version has a remote, otherwise identical to the non-remote 4330 model. Black and green styling may be too minimal for some.

BTW, for used gear shopping, the audiophile world congregates at Audiogon. Search for "NAD," "Creek," and "Cambridge Audio" and you may turn up some bargains.