[philvella]

I am looking to gradually build a surround sound system starting with a pair or Kef iq50 (SWMBO has cleared the look of these).

I am going to start with stereo only and so need to decide on a decent stereo amp to power the iQ50s. In the interest of value for money I am looking at second hand and want to spend less than £250. When I get a surround amp I may keep the stereo amp to power the front speakers if there is a noticeable quality improvement over using the surround amp on its own (end system likely to be 70% movies, 30% music). If not hopefully I can sell the stereo for not too much less than I paid.

I am rather out of touch with stereo amplifiers but my parents have an Arcam Alpha 8 amp which I like the sound of so I was thinking about an Arcam Alpha 8R (I understand that it can be switched into a power amp mode) or an Alpha 9. Would these have enough guts and do justice to the speakers?

Any other suggestions along with roughly what I might need to pay to get one? Once I have a better idea I'll post a 'Wanted' in the classifieds.

Thanks

[dwhite]

If its just a stereo amp, you want then I will move this to Hifi seperates for you.

[philvella]

Any opinions on Arcam Alpha 8R or 9 to power Kef iQ50?

[jon smith]

I recently bought an Arcam A22 (basically the same as the Alpha 10) and am thinking about KEF IQ50 speakers, would these be a good match? I used to own Kef Q35 a few years back and they were great, the IQ50 is one of the few floorstanders to get WAF.