Hi.

I have just purchased a pair of Kef 104/2 reference floor standing speakers. Has anyone got a suggestion for a stereo amp buy which will fire up these babies;

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater

I am not looking for anything dramatic, just a good amp that can cope with the brighter side of sound.

Comments appreciated.

Second hand I take it? According to KEF those beasts could be anything between 20 and 30 years old!

http://www.kef.com/html/gb/explore/a..._series_104_2/

Not that that means anything. I was using a pair of Monitor Audio MA5s that I bought in something like 1976/7 until a couple of years ago when they finally gave up!

Anyway the one parameter of the speakers that does stand out is the 4 ohm impedance. A lot of speakers are 8 ohms so that could be important in choosing an amp to drive them. I have a lot of time for Denon. Been using their amps for decades and find them very nice bits of kit. You could do a lot worse than pair the 104s up with this

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ae/deno-pma520

It does 70W a channel into 4ohms which should be enough to annoy the neighbours

http://www.denon.co.uk/uk/Product/Pa...uctId=PMA520AE

This Pioneer A400 would be just the job. A fantastic piece of kit. A bit of a legend when it comes to integrated amplifiers.See here for spec. Like the Denon, as recommended by chris, it is 70wpc into 4 ohms.

When you say "just a good amp that can cope with the brighter side of sound", do you mean you want to tame a bright sound or you want a bright sound?

The Pioneer and Denon are both pretty forward and lean towards the bright. Unlike chris, I've never been a fan of Denon integrated amps for just this reason. They're a little shouty screamy and a touch unsubtle for my ears. If you want a more subtle presentation I'd look at something like this Arcam Alpha 7R. It's 50wpc into 4 ohms and less than a hundred quid. If you don't mind shelling out more then look at the Arcam Alpha 9. This has a lot more oomph .. around 100wpc into 4 ohms and sounds superb. Expect to pay north of £200.

As for new amplifiers, I sell Denon, Marantz, Nad (what's left after they got rid of their UK distributor), Arcam, Roksan, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sansui, Teac, Yamaha and Audiolab.
For less than £300 there's the Yamaha AS500.
For £650 you can get the Arcam A19. A top notch amp.
There's also the Marantz PM-KI Pearl Lite at £679.

If you don't want to spend that sort of money then I'd recommend going second hand to do those speakers justice.

I meant that I want a bright sound - the 104s can bring down a brick wall but I really want to bring out a bright sound that I know the speakers can deliver.

Just for the record, these are in mint condition internally (might replace the donuts once they start to breathe a bit) and externally, the manual is immaculate, the warranty is stamped and dated 7th July 1991 and I am told that as these are Rosewood, they are Raymond Cooke special edition (not sure of the significance even though he founded the company).

I am leaning towards the Denon (as stated above) as an audiophile at work recommended the PMA 520 as a starter (just in case some work may be needed) but I can't take my eyes off that Arcam either

I have gone for the Denon, delivery today.

Update soon.