Amp advice

[admin_exported]

Hi all, looking to purchase my first seperates system. I demo'd a couple of speakers on saturday, namely the Mordaunt Short 902i's and the Wharfedale 9.1's running through a Nad 325 amp in Richer Sounds. I much preffered the look of the MS's but i couldnt deny that the Wharfedales sounded ever so slightly more punchy to my ears.

Given i have a budget around the £350 mark for speakers and an amp, im looking for a good combo for my living room to play mainly rock music. I would like to find a way to make the MS's work, as they would look good in the lounge and i get the impression that they could work well given the correct amp pairing. Any suggestions on what this might be though?!

Ive ruled out the Dali Lektors as well by the way, they just dont float my boat.

Any help much apprciated. I wouldnt be averse to going second hand here either if it meant i could get something really decent.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Rotel RA04 and the MS 902i's. Cracking! TBH, I would prefer the 9.1s, as they have (to my ears) and more balanced sound, but the 902i's won't disgrace themselves.

Be careful about choosing looks over sounds though - you may find yourself itching to get the better speakers over time...

 

[Anonymous]

I am concious of choosing a set that sounds good, but looks have a role as well.

That Rotel amp looks smart, but i really dont think i could live without the remote control. Seems like it would be a right hassle!

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Another option (similar price/quality) is the Marantz PM6002, which I believe does have a remote...

 

[Anonymous]

I have seen the Marantz, and reviews on the internet seem to indicate that it is a quality amp. My only concern was that it might be a touch bright. Richer Sounds had the model down when i went in (5002 i think), and the guy was suggesting that it should not be paired with the MS's or this reason. So im wondering if the same might apply to the 6002.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

It could do - see if you can get a listen. The combo sounded fine to my ears. It would be interesting to know what he was suggesting instead for the 902i's...was it CA by any chance?

 

[Anonymous]

It was a NAD actually, the 325 i demo'd them with.

 

[matthewpiano]

Personally I think the NAD is far superior to the Marantz in pretty much every way, but hifi is a very personal thing and we're all different. Best thing would be to audition with the Marantz and see what you think!

 

[fatboyslimfast]

The NAD is a great amp - as long as it passes the looks test to you, which can be an issue for some people. I did think of NAD as a possible, but given your comments about the 9.1s vs the 902i's on looks...

 

[Anonymous]

Its not all about looks! To be fair, with the amp i can hide it behind the doors of my unit anyway and use an IR repeater if need be. The speakers i would just like to look half decent when there is no sound coming out of them really. The 902is seemed to fit that bill slightly better and given they had a 5 star review i guess i was wondering if maybe i just hadnt heard them with the best amp pairing.

Im tempted to go for a Nad amp then, and then either grab the Wharfedales or 902i's. Id really like the B&W 685's, but they are just too much money for me at the moment.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Good plan. Get the amp, then hot foot it down to your local Richer with it under arm, and listen to both. The 902i's may suit the NAD better than the 9.1s...

 

[oldleodensian]

I have a 325 BEE with Wharfedale speakers and it's brill!

. Here's a thought if you decide to buy the NAD 325BEE from Richersounds...they have it listed at 219.95, ask them to price match to Weymouth Hi-fi who currently have it listed on their website (weymouthhifi.co.uk)as £209 including free UK delivery. RS will not only match it but beat it by a tenner, bringing it down to £199. I have done this at the Leeds branch where they were very helpful. Just print off the web page showing the amp, they then just make a quick call to check the shop has it in stock.

 

[Anonymous]

Cool, thanks for the input. Migth try and get RicherSounds on that deal then! Im not sure whether there is a dinstance thing though like John Lewis have on price matches. Will have to check.

 

[Anonymous]

Get the Rotel RA-04 - you won't regret, don't worry about the lack of a remote, how often will you need to adjust the volume anyway?

 

[Anonymous]

Rejoinder: I see you have plans for the B&W 685 - all the more reason to get the RA-04, goes best with B&W (I have them, and I luv them!).

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Jwisbey:I have seen the Marantz, and reviews on the internet seem to indicate that it is a quality amp. My only concern was that it might be a touch bright. Richer Sounds had the model down when i went in (5002 i think), and the guy was suggesting that it should not be paired with the MS's or this reason. So im wondering if the same might apply to the 6002.

If you don't mind going second hand, this could be the bargain you are after...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DENON-PMA-700AE-Amplifier-boxed-Quality-Amp-Exc-Cond_W0QQitemZ270354764700QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers?hash=item270354764700&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.a1-sound.co.uk/product/mordaunt-short-avant-902i-stand-mount-speaker?

Get Richer Sounds to beat the price of the speakers to (if they are in stock)