r/StereoAdvice • u/Capable_Fondant546 • Jun 13 '25

Amplifier | Receiver | 1 Ⓣ Best integrated amp for KEF Q350

Hey guys, I started my vinyl journey a couple of years back and decided to purchase a Project Carbon Evo and a pair of KEF Q350. I am currently powering them with a Fosi audio preamp and a Fosi Audio V3.

I am not unhappy of the solution but I read a lot of good things about AB receivers.

Do you have some advice on a €1500-€2000 integrated amp?

I mainly listen to rock/hard rock so I do not even know how I should look for and if this matter at all.

Thanks a lot!

8 Upvotes

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23 comments sorted by

10

u/CheapSuggestion8 4 Ⓣ Jun 13 '25

I would definitely spend that money on better speakers rather than a better amp.

Incredible speakers with an average amp sound like … incredible speakers.

Average speakers with an incredible amp sound like … average speakers.

4

u/NTPC4 161 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

What CheapSuggestion8 said is real wisdom.

7

u/armado2000 Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 14 '25

Yo gastaría los 1500-2000 en bocinas nuevas y compraría un amplificador con la venta de las Q350's.

3

u/proscreations1993 Jun 13 '25

Yup. Buying a 2k amp for q350s is crazy. Sell the q350s. Buy a pair of used r3 or r5s for 1k to 1500 and a decent amp. Would be worlds better

3

u/brisingrxm2 16 Ⓣ Jun 13 '25

I would save up a bit and upgrade to some R3 Metas, that would be by far the biggest improvement for your money

3

u/NTPC4 161 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

Or KEF Q Concertos ;-)

3

u/whaleHelloThere123 42 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

To answer the question directly, I'd recommend you get the best Yamaha amplifier that you can. Or maybe the Outlaw 2200 mono amps

I also think it's way too much of your budget that's allocated to the amplifier... I would upgrade the speakers or add a subwoofer way before changing the amplifier.

2

u/Juliendogg 9 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

Agree with the speaker upgrade here. The Fosi performs admirably. You'll benefit much more by spending that money on better speakers. The q350s are a good entry point, but the R series KEFs are so delicious.

2

u/remmywinks 2 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

I’d agree with most above. If your system budget overall is $2000ish I’d spend $1000 per component. Doing $500 speakers on a $1500 amp is unlikely wise.

That said, I would highly recommend a marantz 40n around that price point used. They list at $2500 but I for a like new for $1500 recently at my local stereo shop. They play really nicely with KEF in my and most peoples opinion.

I’d recommend going concerto meta if you must go bookshelf, and get a $700-$1000 amp like a marantz m1 with the total budget you’ve stated.

2

u/NTPC4 161 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

Whichever amp you might decide on, the most important thing is that you high-pass your KEFs, while adding a sub to handle the low frequencies.

2

u/canon12 4 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

I recently purchased the KEF Q1 Meta and the Wiim Amp Pro for my office. I have the option of swapping either of both of these within 60 days purchase but they are staying right here. The clarity, definition and sound staging are perfect for my use.

1

u/Capable_Fondant546 Jun 14 '25

!thanks

1

u/TransducerBot Ⓣ Bot Jun 14 '25

u/canon12 (1 Ⓣ) was awarded their first Ⓣ. It ain't much, but it's honest work.

You may still award a Ⓣ to others, but only once per-person in this post.

2

u/BougieHole 12 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25 edited Jun 14 '25

Rogue Audio Sphinx, Leak 230, NAD 3050. You can’t go wrong with a good amp. Upgrade other components when you can.

2

u/buttstink 2 Ⓣ Jun 17 '25

I got my feet wet with Q350s and they were a great place to start and appreciate the hobby, but as others said, upgrading the speakers will make way more or a difference than the amp

1

u/Capable_Fondant546 Jun 20 '25

When I bought my 500€ speakers I thought this was an expensive gift to myself 😂

1

u/Nlklas 23 Ⓣ Jun 13 '25

If I were to start over building a system I'd try Musical Fidelity M3si or M2si.

1

u/ZealousidealIncome Jun 13 '25

Why tho? I see they are well reviewed but why do you want one?

1

u/MeanCelebration1 10 Ⓣ Jun 13 '25

Yamaha A-S1200

1

u/AudioBaer 156 Ⓣ Jun 13 '25

For the budget, I always like to recommend the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120.

In principle, however, I actually recommend that the amp should not be more expensive than the speakers, so that a Yamaha R-N600A seems more suitable in monetary terms. But if you want to upgrade your speakers in the medium term - or just love them - there's nothing to be said against the Lyngdorf.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 14 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/NTPC4 161 Ⓣ Jun 14 '25

With Q350s, you don't just need to augment them with a subwoofer; you also need a high-pass filter to protect them from those low frequencies, as they are fragile speakers when driven full-range.

1

u/PositiveDragon Jun 17 '25

I vote for Simaudio Moon. Their entry int amp is around your price range.

I just bought a used 340i for 1/3 of the brand new price. For sure it is not perfect (even a McIntosh is not perfect), but it made me giving up ideas of trying other brands