Advice for a new receiver/amplifier?

Onkyo or Yamaha make really great low priced 2 channel receivers, with phono input

I always input digital sources via line-level aux/cd/tape inputs (3.5mm to RCA plugs) and use the actual phono inputs only for turntables.

Quality DAC is key -- consider a used Dragonfly.

New 2-channel Onkyo and Yamaha units get a second vote from me and probably cost about the same as it would to fix your old amp (depending on the particulars).

seconding the Yamaha recommendations - what's your budget? the Yamaha A-S801 has both USB input and a great built in RIAA, meaning you won't need an external sound card for your computer

I've a weak spot for the NAD D3020, will get you a USB input but you'll have to use an external phono amp. A fantastic little digital amp, more contemporary in its design/construction than the Yamahas, not saying it's future proof, but I think it's a good bet.

thanks, these yamaha and onkyo options look promising. what do you like about the nad, niels?

I used to work for a company with a close connection to NAD so I'm biased, but I really think it is the coolest little digital amplifier you can get. Reasonably priced, takes up very little space, sounds awesome and packs a surprising amount of power - will drive almost any speaker! Built-in bluetooth and USB input is very practical, and although I love analog amps I think the future is digital, so (though I'm not an engineer) the digital amp design makes sense to me.

It was very well received at the time https://www.whathifi.com/nad/d-3020/review but it's possible there are more quality digital amps on the market now

Bought one for my younger brother, matched with a set of Dali Zensor 3's - he loves it

I didn't know the NAD was in your price range; if so, i'd go for that. Clean, honest power by reputation -- the on-board DAC is likely the Burr-Brown set-up... looks GREAT!

i've been loving the second-hand NAD i bought a handful of years ago but one of the channels seems to be crapping out. this is a vague question, but does anyone think this is worth taking in to a shop to be looked at versus trying to find a inexpensive replacement? am in school right now so am on a poor student budget. i think this thing is >20 years old

my guess...is unlikely that it's worth fixing

NAD products are not as disposable as most big-box electronics... ...i suppose it depends mostly if you have a decent repair shop in your area (because shipping costs can take a big bite out of any repair budget). Also, the repair shop does not necessarily have to be an Authorized NAD outlet to get good work. I would google the NAD model number and symptoms and look through the myriad discussion forums to try and narrow the possible repair schemes.