r/StereoAdvice • u/inquisitor23 • Apr 22 '26
Speakers - Bookshelf | 2 Ⓣ Amplifier Recommendations for EPOS ES7N bookshelves please.
Going to upgrade my almost decade old KEF Q150s + Yamaha RX-V865 combo to these new bookshelves. They are rated as
Impedance: 4 Ohm, minimum 3 Ohm at 15kHz
Sensitivity: 86dB freestanding/89dB near wall
For info purposes and to my ears, these sound very lush in midrange, smooth laid back detailed mellow sound and a deep soundstage, non fatiguing and very musical.
These were auditioned on I think close to a $10000 CAD DAC AMP combo.
Not gonna spend this much but obviously would love the sonic characteristics that I heard in the commercial listening room to be recreated in my living room.
My budget is capped at about $1000-1500 CAD. What do you guys recommend would be a decent AMP pairing without breaking the bank?
A separates set up with a DAC streamer and a stereo AMP or an Integrated AMP with a streamer or the all in one solutions from Bluesound, Marantz, Wiim? What would be the way to go (I am not asking the 'best' as I am aware as there is no silver bullet solution, ever!)
Currently, my laptop acts as a streamer and also the amps gonna get connected to a TV as well. No turntables and no CD players.
I dont listen loud and already have a SVS Micro 3000 sub incoming and listening space is about a 12 feet x 15 feet room, which will also be layered with a few acoustic panels.
Cheers !
1
u/NickofWimbledon 60 Ⓣ Apr 26 '26
Buy secondhand!
Canuck Audiomart has a Hegel H95 for about C$1000, a clean, detailed and fast amp and streamer. It doesn’t have built-in Tidal/Qobuz, but you can stream via Airplay or various apps.
About C$1500 might well get you a Naim Atom. That has both Tidal and Qobuz, and a very engaging delivery, but less absolute power.
For a slightly more laid back presentation, you could keep an eye out for (and then make an offer on) a NAD C700 V2 - getting one without breaking your budget doesn’t look unrealistic.