The Harman/Kardon HK6150 is a really decent budget amplifier. Assuming 30wpc is enough to drive your Celef 'speakers to the levels that you tend to listen at, then I'd look to general system optimization (proper stands, 'speaker placement, etc.) before changing anything out.I used to be "into" hifi in my late teens/early 20s. That was in the 80s. Most of my kit was "best buy" budget stuff and I travelled from Somerset to what was then, I think, the only Richer Sounds store near Tower Bridge in London. For some reason, I didn't listen to a lot of music in my 30s and 40s, then I got back into it in my 50s. However, I opted for the convenience of Spotify and a fairly decent HK Go Bluetooth speaker.
We've recently had a clear out and I sold a load of stuff on ebay. One thing I posted on eBay was my pair of Celef Domestic 1 Speakers. I was surprised at the amount of interest in them, so not having used them for 30 years, I thought I'd better check they still worked. I plugged them into my old Harmon Kardon 6150 amp and was blown away by the sound! I immediately removed the ebay listing (there had been loads of views but no bids) and I decided to go back to "proper" audio.
In that vein, I thought maybe I should upgrade the HK amp. I remembered rave reviews of the audiolab 8000a in the early 80s which, at the time I couldn't afford. So I treated myself to one from ebay. This brings me to the title of this post - What a disappointment! It sounded so "flat" and uninspiring, even compared to my £160 HK amp. So, after that long introduction (sorry!) here's my question: Can you recommend a £200-£300 amp that would compliment my Celef speakers? Or should I just stick with the HK?
Cheers
Jon
Trouble is, an original condition A21 from 1968 will likely cost another 400+ quid to have serviced.Spend a touch more and get an original Sugden A21.. Sugden Class A21 Amplifier | eBay
Thanks for the welcome. At the moment it's a Sony MDS-JB920 minidisc player. I've also got a Harmon Kardon CD player in the loft! (not sure which model). I don't think I'll bother with my Dual cs505 turntable as my vinyl collection is probably in a dreadful state by now.
I'll take your advice and give them a spin!I really think you ought to dig out the Dual and give the vinyl a spin - you might be pleasantly surprised. Recently I've been really enjoying rediscovering my record collection, much of which dates from the mid-80s. Some of the oldest records sound as good as, or even better than, modern pressings.
I'll take your advice and give them a spin!
+1A&R Cambridge A60 in good condition would meet the budget and make your speakers rock.
Hi Jon Perry, welcome, and a quick question, were in Somerset did you come from, it is my favourite place that I have lived in apart from Scotland's Highland.
I lived in Yeabridge, South Petherton, Shepton Beauchamp's , Martock and Lopen.
+2A&R Cambridge A60 in good condition would meet the budget and make your speakers rock.
Many Creek integrated can be bought for peanuts and they also do a great job IMO, the 4040S2 being my favorite.
That's a completely different design. I'm another who was amazed at the 80s hype about the 8000 when I heard one. The pre/power wasn't much better.For what it's worth (not much) I use a 6000A and love it.
The mods & service did improve it, but is was still an 8000A.
The OP said it sounded ‘flat and uninspiring’ and I accept what he says.
Amplifiers & speakers have a synergy in many cases.
My BC1s sounded a little ‘flat’ and lacking in drive with a classic Quad amplifier combination.
The Audiolab brought them to life.
Whether it’s relevant or not, I remember the 8000A’s designer said in an article that
BC1s were one of the speakers used during development. I recall they used a B & W model as well.
I know what the OP says about Celef speakers.
I refurbished a pair of Celef Monitors and was very surprised how good they sounded.