Which budget integrated to rock expensive speakers?

[jakja83]

I am about to move in the near future and I have a pair of Kudos C2s that I want to be able to use, without spending a lot of money on amplification. I just sold a higher-end amp and I now wonder what integrated that can power my Kudos-speakers for the coming 6 months and make them sing well without being bright og harsh - musical is what I want? They aren`t power hungry, but very transparent.

I am thinking sub 500£, preferably sub 400£.

Cambridge 650? Nad 316BEE?

 

[drummerman]

jakja83:

... without being bright og harsh - musical is what I want?

This sounds about right ...

http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1400&md=99001195e530b466d00990fc2927f974

There is now an upgraded MKII; Better Valves, more power and bandwidth, upgraded transformers. £599

 

[Anonymous]

i know nothing, but im pretty sure a nad c355bee would drive them well, and its not at all bright afaik..cheap too, around £300 new..

 

[Singslinger]

The best budget amp I've heard recently is the NAD326BEE. I heard it driving a variety of speakers from Dali, Mission and Elac - all with no difficulty.

 

[Scissor_digits]

Your thinking is sound.

As far as my ears are concerned my amp drives my speakers very nicely and I doubt there are any mainstream speakers out there it would have a problem with.

The 650A has been accused of being on the bright-side if not properly matched but I can happily listen to mine for hours without being fatigued. There seems to be just the right balance between separation and overall musicality without either losing out to the other. I listen to all sorts, from AC/DC to Nora Jones.

Of course there are much more capable amps out there but you did specify budget so I would say demo the 650A if you can. (downside of buying CA gear is that generally Richer Sounds don't have dedicated demo rooms)