Amp recommendations for B&W 602 S3 pls..

[admin_exported]

Hello everyone! I am a hi-fi newbie and this is my first post, so please bear with me.

I have a B&W DM602 S3 speakers and I need some inputs from you guys as to what amp to buy that would match these speakers. My budget is up to £400 only. I'm fond of easy listening music, slow rocks and classical music at times. By the way, I have a Marantz CDP coupled to a DacMagic as a source.

Your inputs will be greatly appreciated.. Cheers!

 

[gregory]

Rotel amps go nice with B&W, I used an Arcam A65 with these speakers so that might be worth a thought although i'm not sure of the newer Arcam models.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of the Arcam/B&W mixture. I used to have these speakers with an A65+, sounded great. You could look on a well known auction site for an A65/75/85 +/- corresponding Power Amp. The other thing to consider with these speakers is a decent pair of stands, such as Partington Superdreadnoughts, which really open them up.

Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for the replies!

I have seen an Arcam A85 in one of the second hand stores for £250, is it worth the money?

 

[seasiders rock]

Sugden A21, works very well with the 602 s3.

System I ran in London, 602 S3, A21, with a Marantz Cd17 mk2 Ki, a very good match.

You might just be able to find one for £400....

 

[Big Chris]

emreitcz:
Thanks a lot for the replies!

I have seen an Arcam A85 in one of the second hand stores for £250, is it worth the money?

Sounds good to me. If you don't go for it, would you mind telling me where you found it?

;-)

 

[Anonymous]

Big Chris:emreitcz:
Thanks a lot for the replies!

I have seen an Arcam A85 in one of the second hand stores for £250, is it worth the money?

Sounds good to me. If you don't go for it, would you mind telling me where you found it?;-)

The sound was quite good when I tried to test it today but it's like listening to a 30 watt amp. I need to crank it up to 80% of the volume just to get the loudness that I want compared to the CA 650 that I have tested which is only set at 10 o'clock position. It's on sale at the Cash Generator in Brighton.

 

[plastic penguin]

emreitcz:Big Chris:emreitcz:

Thanks a lot for the replies!

I have seen an Arcam A85 in one of the second hand stores for £250, is it worth the money?

Sounds good to me. If you don't go for it, would you mind telling me where you found it?;-)

The sound was quite good when I tried to test it today but it's like listening to a 30 watt amp. I need to crank it up to 80% of the volume just to get the loudness that I want compared to the CA 650 that I have tested which is only set at 10 o'clock position. It's on sale at the Cash Generator in Brighton.

Audio-T used to recommend the A65+ & A80 with the 602's. Also look out for Nad 352, which has similiar sonic traits to Arcam.

 

[Anonymous]

emreitcz:Big Chris:emreitcz:
Thanks a lot for the replies!

I have seen an Arcam A85 in one of the second hand stores for £250, is it worth the money?

Sounds good to me. If you don't go for it, would you mind telling me where you found it?;-)

The sound was quite good when I tried to test it today but it's like listening to a 30 watt amp. I need to crank it up to 80% of the volume just to get the loudness that I want compared to the CA 650 that I have tested which is only set at 10 o'clock position. It's on sale at the Cash Generator in Brighton.

Hi emreitcz,

That's an interesting result! I just bought a second-hand Arcam A85 and find it delivers music in an effortless manner. But then I don't know what volumes you like...

All I can say is that if you can live with the power, the Arcam is certainly worth £250. A couple went on Ebay recently, and they fetched more.

(And I envy you for being able to live in Brighton. I lived there for 5 years and miss it every day!)

Hedgehog

 

[Anonymous]

emreitcz

another vote for the A85 and B&W combo. That's an excellent price for an excellent amp which combines very well with those B&W speakers. Go for it!