I had a 3490 for a number of years and it was quite nice for the price. I would call it very good mid-fi or entry level hifi. However, a grid issue a few years back hit it hard and I lost it. It would not turn on without defaulting into protection mode. I finally got rid of it to a electronics collection dump. I have heard the Rotel you are referencing and I think it is overall a better unit with cleaner power, more current and a better power supply. It sounded pretty neutral when I heard it so it might go well with the Kefs. I have Kef 300s and they benefit from more power too or at least more current.
KEF 104/2 Amp Pairing - Rotel RA-1570 vs. Harman Kardon HK 3490 - Seeking Advice
I recently snagged a pair of KEF 104/2s and am looking for a good amplifier to pair them with. My listening space is a large-sized room, and I'll be using the setup for a mix of music and movies from my home theater PC and Nvidia Shield Pro. I'm also planning to integrate a subwoofer down the line.
I know the 104/2s like a good amount of power, and I want to make sure I get an amp that can really make them sing. Here are my two current options:
- Rotel RA-1570 ($500 used): Found one locally on Facebook Marketplace. It's spec'd to handle 4-ohm loads, but I'm struggling to find the actual power output at 4 ohms. Does anyone have this information? I'm curious about its overall sound signature with the KEFs.
- Harman Kardon HK 3490 ($125 used): Advertised as 150 watts per channel at 4 ohms. This seems like it might have the raw power needed, but I'm concerned about the sound quality and whether it'll do the 104/2s justice. At that price point, it makes me wonder if I will be missing out on a lot.
Specifically, I'm looking for input on:
- The real-world 4-ohm power output of the Rotel RA-1570.
- Experiences pairing either of these amps (or similar models) with KEF 104/2s.
- Thoughts on the sound quality and synergy of the HK 3490 with the KEFs.
- Given my digital sources, and future subwoofer addition, are there other used amplifiers I should consider in the $500 or less price range?
Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!