quality construction and looks. price/value ratio. bi-wiring capable. 4ohm capable

no remote (very used to having remotes around),

Just got an open box from SoundCity.com for (get this!) $245 with s/h. I currently only have Tannoy M2's and M1's in a digital surround system with a Nak AV7 in my main living room and now I am setting-up a listening room with the A3i as the integrated and planning to get a d500 or CD6(if I can find a good used one). Only need to choose the right monitor speakers. Have Dynaudio's 40's and also maybe monitor silver 4i's in mind but open to any suggestions. I have a small listening room with carpeting and drywalls. No curtains in a 9 X 10 room.

The big discovery was I was doing an a/b comparison and noticed a significant difference. At first the A3i sounded muddled compared to the Nak and I double checked and found that it was the ic's. I had a pair of straight wires and a pair of RadioShacks I double checked by using both wires with the A3i and hooked the dvd to two channels (cd and aux). The straightwires (bought used) although they are budget, they made a significant difference in sound. The straight wires sounded more full, more detailed, louder, and the bass was more defined and stronger. I don't know what to think of this since I have never experience such a change in sound with just the change of ic's. I've tried the same a/b with the Nak and the difference was less apparent. Maybe it's the gold terminals on the A3i or just the fact that it's a step up from the Nak receiver.
I hooked up the A3i to my M2's and with my sony 530 dvd and it sounded a little more detailed than with the Nak and a little less harsh.

I can't wait to get some new monitors and shop for decent ic's. I am a believer...

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi AV-7, Marantz, NAD, Sony ES

looks,sound,quality.

a bit muddy sounding

I can rememer the first time I herd a good musicain,his name was John Seaverson. John was the music teacher at my
highschool, he played the piano mostly and when he did he
sounded warm and sweet. In all I would have to say that this is the first truely good amp I ever listened to.
Befor this I had used recivers mostly like yhamaha, nakamichi, sony, ect. since then I have used other things that are better than the A3i but not befor it. the A3i sounds warm warm and sweet and has left an impresion
as the first truly good amp I have herd.

Similar Products Used:

creek, onkyo,sony.