Best Amp for Kef IQ5se/ Budget £500

[nickd34]

Looking for a replacement amp for my system been unhappy with the bass performance of my Nad C326bee, sounds a bit wolly and un controlled in the bass. Any sugestions please?

Nad C545bee, CA Dac magic, Nad C326bee, Kef IQ5se, Room size 4mx3m

 

[drummerman]

I have used Denon to good effect with Kef.

 

[audioaffair]

Within your budget, you could stretch to the NAD C356 which offers 80W v 50W from the C326 and offers a better overall match IMHO - alternatively the outgoing C355 is almost as good if you could pick one of these up.

 

[Frank Harvey]

The problem is, if you go back 10-15 years, there were some real class acts - Audiolab's 8000A, Arcam's Alpha 9, even Cyrus! Now, it seems to be tumbleweed territory - no high end manufacturer will go near it. There are a some of amps you could look out for, like Marantz's PM7200, which I feel was one of their best amps this side of the PM17, or Audiolab's 8000A as mentioned.

The iQ5se can be a fantastic sounding little loudspeaker, so make sure you hear some Amos with them. I'd be inclined to save a little more and look at Audiolab's new 8200A - I know I'll be in danger of over-recommending this amp, but for me, it's brought down serious quality hi-fi amplification to £699.