On Tue, 7 Feb 2006 15:07:56 -0000, "Andrew Virnuls"
wrote:

"Keith G" wrote in message
.. .

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all,

I thinking of venturing into the world of hi-fi seperates and I'm
starting by looking for an amplifier. I don't have a great budget for
this, around £150, therefore I have narrowed my choice down to the
following:

Cambridge Audio AZUR 340A
Sony TA-FE370
Marantz PM4001

I can find a bit on the net about the CA amp but not much about the
others.

So what I was wondering is if there is much to choose from these
models, or at this price range am I likely to find that they are all
much of a muchness?

There are those here who will tell you they will all sound the same. I
don't *know* that, but I suspect they will - worry about your speakers
more and match the best amp to them you can. Speaker/amp pairings in
*your* room are the secret to success, AFAIAC....

If they all sound the same, on what criteria would you judge one to be "the
best"?

Also, if they all sound the same, how come most of the regular posters who
say they all sound the same have equipment that costs far in excess of £150?

I use a Krell because I have insensitive 3-ohm speakers, and it's also
a useful reference for comparisons. The advice above is correct -
start with the speakers and find an amp which will drive them
adequately to the sound levels you enjoy. In your price bracket, they
do *not* all sound the same - some will definitely run out of power on
things like piano chords and drum hits.
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering