Amp suggestion for B&W 606 s2 anniversary edition

[debasishshom]

I'm planning to buy a pair of B&W 606 s2 anniversary edition speakers. I'm looking for an amp suggestion for those speakers. My budget is 1000 GBP.
I have thought about Rega Elex R and Cambridge Audio CXA81. both got very good review but Rega got no digital input and CA got no Phono input. Any other choice for those speakers where I can connect a Turntable and play music from my iPhone/ Mac? Or should I buy something with airplay (What??) with the Rela Elex R?
Thanks in advance.
Peace.

 

[Al ears]

Have you heard those speakers? Are you sure they will work well in your room?
Look around, there are amps that have both inputs you require like the Yamaha AS701 for example

 

[JohnD]

It is well under your £1000 budget at £599 but the Audiolab 6000A amp has both phono and digital input.

 

[manicm]

I would try the NAD C 368 with the 606 s2

 

[gasolin]

I use a nad c352 for mine, you don't need to buy an as expensive amp as a Nad c368

 

[debasishshom]

Have you heard those speakers? Are you sure they will work well in your room?

No I haven't. I got a room 12' x 15' x 10' . reviews says 606 would be good there.

 

[SteveH72]

£1000 amp is overkill for those speakers, as good as they are. I’d go for a Rega Brio with an iFi Zen Bluetooth receiver with it.

 

[gasolin]

No I haven't. I got a room 12' x 15' x 10' . reviews says 606 would be good there.

Even the 606 would be enough if you have 80 watt or more pr channel in 8 ohm

 

[debasishshom]

£1000 amp is overkill for those speakers, as good as they are.

Really? I'm confused now! Research says a 80W amp would be a very good combination with 606 s2. Brio (50W) is a good choice though.

 

[manicm]

I use a nad c352 for mine, you don't need to buy an as expensive amp as a Nad c368

He wants digital inputs and a phono stage, and this should make a good pairing.

The cheaper Audiolab 6000A might also be a good choice, but it definitely must be auditioned first. The NAD is warmish.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

OP - if you don't mind looking at the used market then consider Rotel's discontinued RA-1062. Even though RA-1062 was released eighteen years ago and has no digital inputs or streaming capabilities however the RA-1062's (amongst it's other qualities) high current capability will likely help the RA-1062 grip, drive and energise the B&W 606's far more effectively at almost any comparable level then the amplifiers already mentioned. You should be able to find a good condition RA-1062 for around £200 - £300.

Btw, for streaming look at adding a streamer such as Yamaha's WCX-50 to the RA-1062.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Really? I'm confused now! Research says a 80W amp would be a very good combination with 606 s2.

Please take a look at my previous post regarding the Rotel's 60 w/ch RA-1062.

 

[gasolin]

Really? I'm confused now! Research says a 80W amp would be a very good combination with 606 s2. Brio (50W) is a good choice though.

it's the 607 s2

Bowers & Wilkins 607 Bookshelf Loudspeakers Review

When B&W announced its new 600 Series, one model emerged as a potentially great package at a very affordable price. The stellar performer we’re gushing about is the entry level 607 stand mount speaker that’s nicely built and nicely priced at just $949.

www.stereo.net.au

 

[gasolin]

My amp in the review i have linked to a few times is measured at 120 watt in 8 ohm (not shure if its peak power or rms) it's enough for my speakers, if i have all my doors open in my 67 square meter apparttment i haven no problem hearing it loud and clear.

606's are 88 db så 60 watt pr channel is more than enough

 

[gasolin]

He wants digital inputs and a phono stage, and this should make a good pairing.

The cheaper Audiolab 6000A might also be a good choice, but it definitely must be auditioned first. The NAD is warmish.

Even the smallest Nad c328 has a digital input and a phonostage, the c328,338,368 and 388 are class d amps so they might not sound as warm as nad c316bee, 326bee,356bee and 375bee

Alternative to a c328 is a Nad AMP1 i don't know what the difference is but power and price is very close £495 for a nad c328 (can't find it in uk, AMP 1)

 

[DIB]

The B&W/Rotel stablemate, the Rotel A14 would be the logical choice to demo if you can manage it. Ticks all your boxes and comes in well under budget if you look around.

 

[gasolin]

Rotel A14

I would say no with only 3 stars

• Rhythmically outclassed
• Needs more subtlety

Home review

Impressive on paper, but let down by a lack of subtlety and rhythm...

www.whathifi.com

 

[SteveH72]

To the OP, please don’t get bogged down in power ratings and figures. Decide what you want the amp to do and then set a budget. Ignore all the posts where people just throw internet reviews at you. This is a sizeable investment so worth making a short list and then waiting until you can get out to audition. Blind purchases are a quick way to eternal dissatisfaction. Trust your ears. The 606S2 are not difficult to power but synergy is important.

 

[DIB]

I would say no with only 3 stars

• Rhythmically outclassed
• Needs more subtlety

Home review

Impressive on paper, but let down by a lack of subtlety and rhythm...

www.whathifi.com

Ha! In that case the OP (or any other person who's in a similar position) should just trawl through the WHF reviews to the 5 star reviews and just pick one . He doesn't need anyone's advice off here then. What do we know?

 

[plastic penguin]

I would say no with only 3 stars

• Rhythmically outclassed
• Needs more subtlety

Home review

Impressive on paper, but let down by a lack of subtlety and rhythm...

www.whathifi.com

3 stars mean very little. WHFI gave 3 stars to Usher S520 but when I heard them powered my modest amplification (Arcam FMJ A18) they sounded terrific for a sub-£500 speaker.

System synergy is everything, more than professional or owners reviews, and Rotel and B&W are a cracking match.

 

[rainsoothe]

£1000 amp is overkill for those speakers, as good as they are. I’d go for a Rega Brio with an iFi Zen Bluetooth receiver with it.

Although I'm not 100% for the "overkill" argument, this is exactly what I'd go for. Or Bluesound Node 2i instead of the ifi.

 

[gasolin]

Do you know B&W actually makes amps ?

SA250 Mk2 - Bowers & Wilkins CustomID

250W rack-mount amplifier with built-in subwoofer equalisation.

www.bowers-wilkins-custom-id.com

1000 euros where i live

 

[manicm]

Even the smallest Nad c328 has a digital input and a phonostage, the c328,338,368 and 388 are class d amps so they might not sound as warm as nad c316bee, 326bee,356bee and 375bee

Alternative to a c328 is a Nad AMP1 i don't know what the difference is but power and price is very close £495 for a nad c328 (can't find it in uk, AMP 1)

View attachment 1945

He said he had a budget of around 1000 pounds. So may as well get the most out of that. The AMP 1 is not available in the UK, only for a very few select countries.

Also all reviews I’ve read of the NAD digital amps - even the priciest non-Masters ones - suggest a warmish sound. NAD uses partial Hypex modules and / or their own supplementary designs in their amps.

 

[gasolin]

isn't it mostly power difference ?

Theres also the Nad D3045 2x60 watt peak 80watt and in 4 ohm 120 watt

Then theres a little he can use on cable or if theres anything else he needs, a subwoofer ?

Gemini

Or just use the money he save to buy music

 

[manicm]

isn't it mostly power difference ?

Theres also the Nad D3045 2x60 watt peak 80watt and in 4 ohm 120 watt

Then theres a little he can use on cable or if theres anything else he needs, a subwoofer ?

Gemini

Or just use the money he save to buy music

Yes the D3045 seems ok and the OP would be able to connect his Mac to it. From WHF's reviews of both components though the C368 is a step up in sound quality.

Me, I'd go for the C368 and save up for the MDC streaming module to get later.