AV amp to match Wharfedale 9.4

[admin_exported]

I've just bought probably the last Wharfedale 9.4 floorstanders left on the shelves this side of Christmas, and need to get a new budget amp to drive them, a 9.cc and surrounds.

Mainly looking at the Sony STR DH800 and the Denon 1610 (but would consider a Yamaha). I've read a hundred similar posts but haven't seen any for my setup.

Sound quality is more important to me than features, which popular opinion would suggest the Denon is more suitable, but I've been put off by the talk of matching speakers and amps. If I have this correct, the Denon is a warm sound, the Sony bright, but the Wharfedales are quite warm sounding speakers - does this mean the Sony would be a better choice?

I tend to prefer a bright sound, but would the Sony be too bright for music? Sound quality for music is more important to me than home cinema quality, hence the Wharfedales rather than popular Q Acoustics. And before anyone suggests it, I would love to hear them in action, but I'm too far away from anywhere I could perform a listening test.

Will be connecting:

Sky HD (HDMI + optical)

PC (DVI-HDMI + optical)

PS3 (HDMI)

Wii

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

A quick update, the last 9.4s on the shelves must have been boxes of Xmas decs, because the company have just e-mailed back with an apology that they've checked what stock they thought they had, and the cupboards are bare.

So I suppose the question should now be, can anyone recommend a similar matching FloorStander / AV amp?

 

[lobby]

Not sure about your budget, and rest of your system, i suppose your planning on a 5.1. I would look at Q Acoustic 1030i or 1050i, along with the Kef IQ range and maybe Wharfedale 10.3. Not sure which amp will partner each speaker the best that my friend will come down to you when you audition them. Post some more info and i sure the members will help.

 

[Anonymous]

Planning on 5.1 yes, but IMO it's important to get the 2.0 right first.

I considered the Q Acoustics 1030i, but some reviews I read gave the impression that they were a class behind the Wharfedales and others, when it came to stereo music reproduction. At the prices they are being offered for I would certainly consider them again if anyone has compared them favourably to others. The 1050i were on sale for £224 recently, but they are now out of stock at that price.

The company that I ordered from recommended the 10.4 as a replacement. Probably a nice speaker but at twice the price of the 9.4s not really what I would call like for like.

I've seen the Acoustic Energy Neo 3 for £237, I don't know much about the speakers but I've read some nice reviews.

The 9.4s were also front ported which would suit the placement. Shame I wasn't able to order them before Christmas.

 

[Sorreltiger]

Your problem is that the 9.4s were long discontinued, which brought about the excellent price. Looking positively, I think you'd have been struggling to source a new Diamond 9.CS centre speaker. If you want to keep within your budget and stay with the Diamond 9 series, you will find them on ebay along with plenty of alternatives. As speakers are relatively simple pieces of kit - you can see if there are any marks and (generally speaking) what-you-hear-is-what-you-get - ebay can be a good source of bargains!

 

[Anonymous]

I got a pioneer VSX 819 for 250.00 delivered new in box, and matched with diamond 9.1's and alumni rears.

 

[Anonymous]

I had a look at the Tannoy F4s, but they seem to be a bit overpriced IMO, not to mention quite ugly. The Acoustic Energy Neo 3s seem great, but they're rear ported and I would need to have them very close to the wall.

So I followed the advice above and found a pair of new 9.4s on ebay. They should be here shortly.

Now the original question regarding a matching AV amp is valid again, any advice?