This is a difficult question to ask, and to answer, but are you looking for a high quality amp, a high value amps, or an amp at the intersect of quality and value?
Premium quality amps like Arcam and similar, tend to be expensive, have low but adequate power, and tend to be short on features. That probably seems odd, that you get less with a better amps, but the lack of bells and whistles is more than made up in absolute quality. As an example, amps like this typically don't have tone controls.
Consumer brands like Cambridge, Marantz, NAD, and similar tend to be at the intersect of quality and value. They offer more power and more features while still maintaining high quality.
There are some
value amps that are still good quality and offer an outstanding array of features for a very reasonable and modest price.
Then there are the
hyper-value amps, which are typically way too much amp for way too little money. I tend to stay away from these, though for someone on a starvation budget, who is not too discerning, these can be a good workable budget first amp.
For you, given your budget, and for new amps, I would recommend something in the
Consumer Range, which are a good blend of value and quality.
Is their any way you can push your amp budget up to around £600, because there are some really good amps on discount right now in that range?
Two that spring to mind are the
Cambridge Audio 840A, 120w/ch, for £599 (Normally £799), and the
Marantz PM8003, 70w/ch, for £599 (normally £750 to £850). Both top of the line, and both at a £200 or more discount.
Another worth consideration would be the
Rotel RA-06SE with 70w/ch for £570. As an alternative to the suggested Rotel, in a higher quality amp, consider the
Rotel RA-1520 with 60w/ch for £695.
Also, the
NAD C356 with 80w/ch, for £599.
Down in your budget range -
Cambridge Audio 740A, 100w/ch, Silver or Black, Limited Supply, £299 (being replaced by the 750A)
Cambridge Audio 650A, 75w/ch, Silver or Black, new model, £349
Cambridge Audio 550A, 60w/ch, Silver or Black, new model, £299
(RicherSounds.com)
Yamaha AS500, 85w/ch, £296 (SuperFi.co.uk & others) (excellent value)
Marantz PM 7003, 70w/ch, £438 (HiFiGear.co.uk)
In very high value amps, but still acceptable quality -
Harman Kardon HK3490, 120w/ch, Digital Inputs, AM/FM, £269 (SuperFi.co.uk)
The digital inputs on this amp would give you an additional option for connecting your TOUCH. You could connect by either analog or digital. Since the amp has its own internal DAC, you could use which ever one sounded best. Also, the Digital input could be used to stream digital audio from your TV for watching videos with high quality sound.
Harman Kardon HK980, integrated amp, 80w/ch, £299 (SuperFi.co.uk)
There are a few in on the Forums that have this amp and are very pleased with it.
And extremely few left in stock, but an outstanding bargain in the
NAD C355, which is last years model, 80w/ch, typically selling for £450, in limited supply at Richer Sounds for £269 -
Nad C355BEE Titanium | Stereo Amplifier | Richer Sounds
Finally, are there any requirement you might have left out. For example, do you need a Phono input for a turntable? Do you need to connect the TV to the stereo, because that has some considerations of its own?
In my opinion, this is probably the best selection of amps in or near your price range in
new amps.
In used amps, you are limited to whatever might be available at the time. You can check the For Sale section of this forum for equipment that has been well cared for, and from reasonably reliable sources.
If at all possible, it is well with considering the first list of amps I posted; the ones costing £600. All excellent bargains, all well under the standard selling price. Though the Rotel are only slightly discounted; yet, they are considered very high quality amps.
That should at least give you a few things to consider.
Steve/bluewizard