Need some advice selecting/matching an amp to go with my Q acoustics speakers

[montenegrasanovic]

Hi there.

I have Q-acoustics 3020i speakers, and 3070s subwoofer.

Any suggestions to which amplifier/receiver would be a good match?

The Sub only has an RCA connection. I think it was intended as part of a 5.1 package, but I'm only interested in stereo for music.. I just wanted the extra bass that the speakers couldn't provide!
Is there a good amplifier with a dedicated sub output I should consider?
Any advice welcome!

 

[montenegrasanovic]

How much do you want to spend and are you willing to buy used or does it have to be new?

Up to £400.. maybe 500!
Used or new, I don't mind! I'm always keen to grab a 2nd hand bargain

 

[montenegrasanovic]

I have these speakers as part of my PC setup. So basically the 3020i are a warm sounding speaker. Very easy to listen to easy enough to drive. For synergy I would be looking to audition with an amp which has a clean presenation to make the 3020i into a nice all rounded sounding affair. I would avoid partnering with warm sounding or an amp with a dark presentation as it will dull it even more.

Go into richer sounds or a reputable dealer and ask them to use a set of 3020i and try a few different amps to see which sounds right to your ears. Use music which you are familar with intimately to listen for nuances between the amps.

Samyboy mentioned Marantz amps. I have used a shedload of Marantz amps. The newer amps are a better match than the really old ones as they are extremely warm sounding. The newer ones by comparison are way cleaner and less tonally coloured than their older brethren. This would balance nicely with teh 3020i. But the older models are stupidly warm sounding so unless you specifically want that type of sound I would avoid that. While Marantz are not my first choice for the 3020i I do use one currently to drive the 3020i. I use a HD-Amp1 which I picked up years ago.

Thanks for the advice..!
I think I've found a good amp.. right in my price range.. The Marantz PM6007. It has excellent reviews, and a dedicated subwoofer output.
I appreciate your comments!

 

[montenegrasanovic]

Is that the follow up to the PM6005? If I were you I would audition it with your speakers as the Pm6005 while a good budget amp was hella warm sounding.

It's the follow up to the PM6006, so it's a few models on!
I'll look out for any comparison between them, thanks for your observations!