Amp for

[admin_exported]

Hi. I'm new here, so if this is a silly question, please make allowances!

I'm looking for a new amp. I listen mainly to classical music, much of it vocal. My budget is maxed out at £400. So far I seem to be getting pointed towards the Rotel RA-10. A friend mentioned the Marantz PM6004, which is a lot cheaper.

Does anyone have views about the Marantz v Rotel, or can anyone suggest other amps I might look at in this price range? I am using a fairly ancient Rotel CD player and a pair of Wharfedale bookcase speaker [can't recall what they are called- but they are 30 yrs old].

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Covenanter]

I have the Marantz and it does what it says on the tin, it amplifies - "a wire with gain" - in the old phrase.

Chris

 

[BigH]

Plenty of options, can you audition them, home demo?

Are your speakers on stands or shelves?

Also I would consider a used amp like the Arcam Alpha 9 which can be picked up for about £250 (reconditioned). Also NAD/Pioneer amps are worth a look.

Some find Rotel a bit too bright.

 

[Anonymous]

Home demo a bit tricky, I live in a fairly remote place, devoid of decent dealers.

The speakers are on shelves, well, on the top of low bookcases. When on stands, I found I got a lot of extraneous buzzing from the stands themselves.

When you say that some find Rotel too "bright", what exactly does that mean? I'm assuming it implies an over-emphasis on sharper sounds, so not as mellow for, say, cello music?

 

[Audiofoolius]

Rotel can be bright with speakers that have edgy trebles, but with Wharfedale speakers there is no need to worry about that. In fact I think Wharfedales sound better with amplification that is a on the brighter side of neutral.