Integrated Amplifier for Q Acoustic 3050i

[Darc74]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forum but also new to Hifi . I'm in the process of setting up my first system. I've been doing loads of research and I've already purchased the Rega Planar 2 turntable, Blue Sound Node 3rd Gen streamer and my next planned purchase is the Q Acoustic 3050i. My room side is 5m x 6m or 19.6ft by 16.4 ft. I've done a huge amount of research and for my budget which is around €600, the 3050i seems to be one of the best floor standing speakers in that price range. I like the idea of floor standing speakers but would they be ok in a room that size? I would also appreciate some suggestions what integrated amplifier would suit this set up. I don't want to over complicate things by going for a separate power amp preamp etc. My budget for the amp is €800ish. As i said I'm new to Hifi so any advice would be greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance

PS. I also plan to add a cd player at a later stage.

 

[nopiano]

Welcome to the forum.

Not sure where you are based, but presumably Europe as your budget is in Euros! Have you ever heard the QA speakers? If so, what amp was in use? If not, then you need to!

They are easy to recommend, and have a warm, room-filling sound ideal for your largish space. But you may prefer something more lively, especially if you have lots of carpets and wall coverings. In a sparsely furnished modern room, they are ideal.

The magazine are very enthusiastic about the Cambridge CXA61 and the new Arcam A5 but I don’t know what your local pricing or availability might be.

Arcam A5 review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023 winner. Arcam is back in the affordable stereo amplifier market with a bang

www.whathifi.com

Cambridge Audio CXA61 review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. Extra features and improved sound quality for those willing to pay a higher price

www.whathifi.com

 

[Darc74]

Hi, thanks for you suggestions. I'll certainty look into both. I'm based in Ireland. I haven't heard them yet but have planned to do so this weekend. The room is timber floored with not too much furniture. I'm also looking Audiolab 6000a as a possibility.

 

[njprrogers]

Hi, some good suggestions there. I have the Audiolab 6000A (the Play version which offers streaming as well) and it should drive the 3050i's no problem. It's a nicely built machine with a pleasing upbeat character. It also has a nice DAC implementation (although you may not need that with your Node).

I also have a Roksan Kandy K2 amp which I originally bought to partner with my Kef LS50's which are more power hungry. This has 125 watts compared to the 50 watts from the Audiolab. This is an older amp which I picked up second hand... I only mention it because there is one on DoneDeal at the moment second hand for 475 euro. In Ireland, the used market is kinda opportunistic as it is small! The Roksan is currently driving my Wharfedale Linton's and I think it sounds great.

You should demo the QA concept 30's as well while you are checking out the 3050i's... I have heard great things about them.

 

[Darc74]

Hi, some good suggestions there. I have the Audiolab 6000A (the Play version which offers streaming as well) and it should drive the 3050i's no problem. It's a nicely built machine with a pleasing upbeat character. It also has a nice DAC implementation (although you may not need that with your Node).

I also have a Roksan Kandy K2 amp which I originally bought to partner with my Kef LS50's which are more power hungry. This has 125 watts compared to the 50 watts from the Audiolab. This is an older amp which I picked up second hand... I only mention it because there is one on DoneDeal at the moment second hand for 475 euro. In Ireland, the used market is kinda opportunistic as it is small! The Roksan is currently driving my Wharfedale Linton's and I think it sounds great.

You should demo the QA concept 30's as well while you are checking out the 3050i's... I have heard great things about them.

Thanks a mill. Will check out the Roksan Kandy on done deal and the concept 30's. Much appreciated.

 

[Stuart83]

I have the q acoustics 3050i and have had a few amps play through them to date.
Like others I've found they do like a bit of extra power despite being a 6ohm speaker so I tried a roskan k3 which sounded very good especially with classical but ended up with the acram sa30 which has effortless power despite being rated 20w less .
The exhaustive connectivity was the deal maker.
You can pick both up second hand if you upped the budget a fraction if that's something you would consider.
The arcam has a lovely warm sound very like the pioneer a400 I was modernising from.
I occasionally use a wharfdale SW 150 sub woofer another reason the acram comes up trumps with a dedicated input instead of relying on speaker level connections and the usual buzz when idle which is more prominent in speaker level connections if you are interested in ever adding one or uplinking your tv.

 

[matthewpianist]

I've owned the 3050i and the most successful pairing I had was with the Audiolab 6000A.

 

[Darc74]

I've owned the 3050i and the most successful pairing I had was with the Audiolab 6000A.

Thanks a mill. . Is it Audiolab plenty big to drive the 3050i?

 

[matthewpianist]

Thanks a mill. . Is it Audiolab plenty big to drive the 3050i?

Plenty, and it grips them very well.

 

[lietuva48]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forum but also new to Hifi . I'm in the process of setting up my first system. I've been doing loads of research and I've already purchased the Rega Planar 2 turntable, Blue Sound Node 3rd Gen streamer and my next planned purchase is the Q Acoustic 3050i. My room side is 5m x 6m or 19.6ft by 16.4 ft. I've done a huge amount of research and for my budget which is around €600, the 3050i seems to be one of the best floor standing speakers in that price range. I like the idea of floor standing speakers but would they be ok in a room that size? I would also appreciate some suggestions what integrated amplifier would suit this set up. I don't want to over complicate things by going for a separate power amp preamp etc. My budget for the amp is €800ish. As i said I'm new to Hifi so any advice would be greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance

PS. I also plan to add a cd player at a later stage.

HI Darc,
I'm also new to the forum,..this is my first post. I own a pair of Q A3020i's floor standers along with a 3030I center and matching sub. Currently, they're matched with a Marantz NR1608 as they make up the core of a surround sound system I'm slowly building up. Room size is also 6 X5 and next to that is an open kitchen. Styling is pretty minimalist, and music taste tends to lounge, soft house rather than duf duf. I find the speakers are really clear with a full warm sound despite the minimalist room. So given your room size, I reckon the QA speakers are a great choice.
However, in answer to your question about amps, back in the day, I used to have a pair of DCM Timewindows ( similar sound to the QA's) and had them paired with a Rotel RA 840 BX which to my ear worked really well. So my "recommendations" would be to look at, among others, Rotel or Marantz intergrated amps especially the Marantz stereo 70 as it's 1700 AUD here in OZ ( and we over pay for everything) so I reckon it should fall within your budget living in the Emerald Isle.

 

[nopiano]

HI Darc,
I'm also new to the forum,..this is my first post. I own a pair of Q A3020i's floor standers along with a 3030I center and matching sub. Currently, they're matched with a Marantz NR1608 as they make up the core of a surround sound system I'm slowly building up. Room size is also 6 X5 and next to that is an open kitchen. Styling is pretty minimalist, and music taste tends to lounge, soft house rather than duf duf. I find the speakers are really clear with a full warm sound despite the minimalist room. So given your room size, I reckon the QA speakers are a great choice.
However, in answer to your question about amps, back in the day, I used to have a pair of DCM Timewindows ( similar sound to the QA's) and had them paired with a Rotel RA 840 BX which to my ear worked really well. So my "recommendations" would be to look at, among others, Rotel or Marantz intergrated amps especially the Marantz stereo 70 as it's 1700 AUD here in OZ ( and we over pay for everything) so I reckon it should fall within your budget living in the Emerald Isle.

Welcome to the Forum!

Unfortunately Darc hasn’t visited since February. You can click on his icon to check.

3020i are bookshelf designs - I have some, so I can tell! - but maybe you meant 3050i?

Your experience will always be of interest to future visitors, so thanks for sharing.

 

[lietuva48]

Welcome to the Forum!

Unfortunately Darc hasn’t visited since February. You can click on his icon to check.

3020i are bookshelf designs - I have some, so I can tell! - but maybe you meant 3050i?

Your experience will always be of interest to future visitors, so thanks for sharing.

hahaha,...oops, thanks for that. You're correct I have the 3050is. I'm looking to purchase the 3020i's as rear speakers ( hence the mix-up) but even though they're not overly large, they'd poke out from the wall by quite a bit and the good lady wife is in opposition.

 

[nopiano]

hahaha,...oops, thanks for that. You're correct I have the 3050is. I'm looking to purchase the 3020i's as rear speakers ( hence the mix-up) but even though they're not overly large, they'd poke out from the wall by quite a bit and the good lady wife is in opposition.

Spot on there. The QA are very deep physically and I try to remember to warn potential buyers to check with their tape measure!

 

[Stuart83]

Spot on there. The QA are very deep physically and I try to remember to warn potential buyers to check with their tape measure!

I'm enjoying a pair now (this time courtesy of an 33yr old favourite amp) the QA's are either side of my TV situated at the side threshold of both entrance and exit doors to the living room.
Previously having more shallow mission speakers in the same position I did once or twice nudge into the right speaker until my memory adjusted to the extra inch 😂

I've always considered hifi art which is just aswell as whenever I go into the immediately adjacent bedroom/listening room I literally walk past the QA's whilst exiting the living room which are then instantly dwarfed by the Fyne audio's along side the bedroom entrance 😁

The QA's protrusion is further added to by them needing space to breathe with rear ports.
I found the workaround foam bungs sap the life out of a really nice sounding speaker when too close to walls.

All instantly forgiven when heard, in my opinion one of the best sounding floorstanders in that bracket.