Hi there, I would need some help choosing an amp for my B&W DM601 S3 speakers. Second hand or new doesn't matter. Just want it to run my speakers more than good enough and be in the budget class..
Been looking at some little older rotel modells, are they any good with my speakers (Rotel RA-971 MkII or a like?) and how much should I pay for something like this? How much power do I really need to be able to enjoy my speakers? Mainly listen to classic rock, classical, jazz and opera..
Would be pleased to have some help and my budget is around 500$ for amp and cd player (come with tips for a cd player if you can too).
The 601s were never difficult to drive. They were an easy load and anything with a decent 40wpc or more would work well in a normal room (anything up to 35sqm). Consider:
NAD C525BEE CD player and NAD C355BEE amplifier
Cambridge Audio brand (I don't know the model numbers sorry)
Buy some half decent interconnects (do not use the standard piece of string that comes in the box). And also buy something better than the most basic speaker cable - even decent quality two core mains flex is better than standard bellwire.
The 320BEE was a very good amp and was the precursor to the C325BEE. Had many loyal friends. No idea about second hand prices in Switzerland so I don't know what a good price is I'm afraid.
That Bowers speaker is one that I tried out before buying an amp a while back. I listened to NAD pre-power setup, and was less than enthralled. The Rotel setup was spot on, for me at that time. Just perfect.
Not really, David, although I am in the minority in that dep't, and with good reason. NAD makes good stuff for a good price. Strong and heavy, good power supplies and drive most speakers without strain. Remember that I have a high tone hearing loss, which has guided me to different stuff, like the Rotel I liked, and the Classe that I love. Both of those brands work best with Bowers speakers, I find, which is probably why B&W bought the Rotel/Classe groups back in 2000.
