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Getting the KEF Q100 Bookshelfs - Any recommendations for a good stereo amplfiier?

post #1 of 5
12/26/12 at 8:25am
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone. Hope your holidays are going well!

I am a current owner of the KEF Q series (I have a pair of Q700's hooked up to Denon 2112CI) and I couldn't be more pleased. They sound amazing!

So, for this holiday season, I am planning on shelling out some dough for 5 1/2 inch Q100 bookshelf speakers from KEF. Now, I have not ventured out in the stereo scene and I am a little bit new to this game. I want a nice pair of bookshelfs for my PC/Gaming rig.

What is a good stereo amplifier (read: cheap) that can power the Q100's? I have done some research and one thing boggles my mind: Most companies sell stereo receivers and 5.1/7.1 receivers at about same price. Why not get the 5.1/7.1 and use it is a stereo receiver? I don't understand that. rolleyes.gif. Are the stereo receivers somehow "better"?

I have an onboard soundcard on my desktop, but I am thinking about getting a dedicated Creative XFi soundblaster card. Or do you guys recommend a separate DAC? Sorry for the lack of knowledge here...please enlighten. I have tried searching this forum for stereo stuff, but I couldn't find a good thread for PC/Gaming setup.

Thank you for the time and wish everyone a safe holiday season smile.gif
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post #2 of 5
12/26/12 at 11:03am
If you want a stereo receiver then look at the Harman Kardon 3490. It actually has a couple digital audio inputs too if you need them. JR.com has it for $299
http://www.jr.com/harman-kardon/pe/HK_3490/


5.1 AVRs go for about the same price as stereo receivers because they probably outsell them 50-1 or higher. Higher volume lowers the price.

What kind of outputs will this new soundcard have?
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post #3 of 5
12/26/12 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply.

I am not sure about the soundcard. I did some research and found the Icon uDAC-2 USB DAC. For $120, it has amazing reviews everywhere. HK 3490 looks good for $299.
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post #4 of 5
12/27/12 at 10:46am
Think also about the KEF Q300's smile.gif
These speakers are a little bit bigger than the Q100's but they go a little bit lower.

Also the Q300 uses the same 6.5 inch Uni-Q drive units as your Q700's instead of the smaller 5.25 inch Uni-Q 25mm drive units.

For listening music I would strongly recommend the Q300's over the Q100's smile.gif

I am myself using a pair of Q900's and Q700's in my own setup, but I did listen also the Q100 and Q300's smile.gif
My set is driven by a vintage Pioneer SX-6000 in a stereo setup, until I bought a decent suround receiver I will using that one also for movies and things.
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post #5 of 5
12/30/12 at 12:27am
See also this great review: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/bookshelf-speakers/bookshelf-speakers/kef-q300-bookshelf-speakers.html
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Receivers, Amps, and Processors › Getting the KEF Q100 Bookshelfs - Any recommendations for a good stereo amplfiier?