Integrated stereo amp for KEF Q300

[saronoelle]

Hai
I recently bought KEF Q300. I connected to my Denon AVR1911 for stereo music it was not nice to hear. But when I auditioned the speakers it sounded very good. Then I checked with the dealer they said for pure stereo music I should use an integrated stereo amp or pre amp and power amp combination. Then I checked the reviews of many integrated amps. I found Rotel Ra-04SE and Marants PM7001. Which one I should buy? and what is the price? will Rotel RA-04SE's 40w match KEF Q300?

Thanks

 

[MAYHEM_METAL]

Hai
I recently bought KEF Q300. I connected to my Denon AVR1911 for stereo music it was not nice to hear. But when I auditioned the speakers it sounded very good. Then I checked with the dealer they said for pure stereo music I should use an integrated stereo amp or pre amp and power amp combination. Then I checked the reviews of many integrated amps. I found Rotel Ra-04SE and Marants PM7001. Which one I should buy? and what is the price? will Rotel RA-04SE's 40w match KEF Q300?

Thanks

Hi
KEF GOOD CHOICE. Excellent buy
The Marantz PM 7004 is very nice in the mid range sound & highs. Excellent sounding, sweet, clarity, clear vocals nice highs. Thats what you like excellent choice. Somehow the output is low as its ratting of 75w into 8ohms. Not convinced.
Would like to suggest the Nad as a friend of mine has a Nad with the KEF excellent combination. Besides if you like more on the lower range frequency of sound. NAD gives good bass. But I must say the Nad is very warm sounding Amp compared to Marantz PM7004. But the sound is also wow. You can turn the volume high and put your ears close the to speaker drivers. MAN WOW. Clear Vocals . I have decided to buy the Nad 356. As my expert friend says the technology in this AMP is amazing. Unfortunately the black model is not avaiable.

Best of Luck

 

[yahoo0212]

For Q300 which are bookshelves look for 45-50 wpc amps like Yamaha AS500, NAD and Marantz PM6003... Yamaha wd go well as yamaha s laid back and KEF Q300 is a bright speaker... so the yamaha-kef contrasting combo wd be good...

 

[Kishor]

+1 for NAD. Excellent performence at Economical pricing!
I am using it in my current system and the stereo output is fantastic. I also have a Sansui 1000X but then both have individual personalities and both are well respected.

Cheers, Kishor

 

[jai1611]

I've used the Kef Q900 towers with the Yamaha AS-2000. The synergy between the two was not good and neither component lived up to potential. The speakers paired much better with a Jungson class A power amp (warm sounding amp, very transparent).

The Yamaha does better with Dynaudios than the Jungson, which leads me to believe that its a synergy issue with the Kefs.

 

[s_sachin]

Hi saronoelle

How much did the Q300 cost ? which place ?

thanks

 

[saronoelle]

Thanks for all your responses.
I bought it from Maldives It costed me $540 and in rupees it will be around 24000 with 45 conversion rate. It is available in profx for 31k.

 

[MAYHEM_METAL]

For Q300 which are bookshelves look for 45-50 wpc amps like Yamaha AS500, NAD and Marantz PM6003... Yamaha wd go well as yamaha s laid back and KEF Q300 is a bright speaker... so the yamaha-kef contrasting combo wd be good...

Hey no offence my friend please. The Yamaha is also a very bright Amp but more towards the mids and KEF Q300 also bright. Not recommended. Trust me Nad will be perfect for the KEF. Read on the net. My friends system with this combo WOW. Piece of GEM. And he is using the cheaper Nad 326 - 50w.

 

[jaudere]

I have heard these speakers with marantz pm 6002. Very pleasing sound. 45watt/ch was more than adequate.

One question. Are your speakers brand new box packed or they have done burn in period? If not done, they may not sound good immediately with stereo amps either. So i would suggest, use them at least for 3 months with denon before you spend on stereo amp.

 

[avidyarthy]

Q300 specs show ... it should be a very very good match with Topping TP20 T class amp ..... provided, you are open to spend a fortune @ 4K (INR) ...

8 ohms, 87 dB sens. ... alongwith lower end freq response @ 42 Hz ... too good!

 

[RAAGA]

Try the Denon 510 or 710 AE. I have heard them at Profx and they sounded pretty good.

 

[Deleted member 17547]

I auditioned Denon few days back.. I wud suggest that dont even look at Denon stereo Amps.. even Marantz PM5004 was much better than Denon 710.. Look out for Marantz higher end models.. Can also try Cambridge Audio..

 

[saronoelle]

Its a brand new one. So I will run it with denon and decide on the amp as you have advised.
Thanks

 

[murali_n]

Hi saronoelle,

I would suggest you to audition Yamaha AS500 and Marantz PM6003, they have had good reviews in Whathifi. I have the PM6003 paired with MS Aviano-2, and should sound good with the KEF Q300s.

Hope this helps,

N.Murali

 

[Deleted member 17547]

Yamaha AS500 with MS Aviano 2 is a great combination. One of forum member imgene has this combination n he's pretty much happy his setup.. This Amp should drive your speakers comfortably.. Marantz PM6003 is also a very gud Amp.. Try Cambridge Audio Azur 550A and 650A also...

 

[RAAGA]

I auditioned Denon few days back.. I wud suggest that dont even look at Denon stereo Amps.. even Marantz PM5004 was much better than Denon 710.. Look out for Marantz higher end models.. Can also try Cambridge Audio..

Can't agree entirely. As a Marantz owner , I would say the sound signature is the one I like when compared to Denon. However, I have heard this combo pairing well. End of the day, it is personal preference. When we say the best , it is the best out of what we have heard/known. There is always a better option waiting somewhere(which we may/may never find out), IMHO

 

[Deleted member 17547]

Totally agree with you Raaga.. its definitely a personal choice.. I just expressed what i felt specially when m not an audiophile.. but whatever i've heard be it marantz, CA, Yamaha or Denon... i did not like Denon at all.. n i've been a member of this forum for few months now.. n there r very few members who suggests denon.. so there must be something about denon that most people dont like it.. every Amp has a diff sound signature n m sure there r people who likes denon.. so PEACE ..

 

[denom]

+1 ^ ^ ^:thumbsup:

Agree with you about the Denon Amps.

 

[RAAGA]

Totally agree with you Raaga.. its definitely a personal choice.. I just expressed what i felt specially when m not an audiophile.. but whatever i've heard be it marantz, CA, Yamaha or Denon... i did not like Denon at all.. n i've been a member of this forum for few months now.. n there r very few members who suggests denon.. so there must be something about denon that most people dont like it.. every Amp has a diff sound signature n m sure there r people who likes denon.. so PEACE ..

Hey that wasn't a fight,bro' ..... :cheers: !

 

[BLASTO]

Get the NAD if you like some bass boost and smooth sound without sharp edges along the whole spectrum.

Get the Marantz if you like detailed mids and sparkling highs and can compromise on bass. You will have sharp edges and sound can be fatiguing on long run (especially with the Q300)

Either will serve you better if you are moving from any 5.1 amp. Both get their midrange right for their price points and are generally liked by many..

Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha etc are only so so for stereo cannot be explained by any traits. Thumping bass, sharp hf etc cannot help you in voice centric songs.. You like the sound you like it, If you dont.. You dont..

Audition and decide.