I have a couple of bookshelf speakers and a small active sub I'm no longer using in my TV system and I'd like to move them to the living room, which is currently wired with Blose courtesy of the house's previous owner.

Anyway, I'm thinking a 50W integrated amp would do the trick (speakers are 8 ohm and 88dB sensitive) and I'd like to be cheap -- as it'd just be for occasional ambience or the kids and the main source will probably be an iPod. Do need a sub out.

NAD? Cambridge? Arcam? Fire away. Used is fine.

I think you are on the right track, I would check Audiogon for a used Rotel, NAD or Marantz. Arcam and Cambridge Audio would work also, but they may be more expensive.

Is remote control a requirement? And do you have a budget in mind?

Onkyo A9555 is a n[ice] little integrated

Remote would be a definite plus. Let's say $500 max.

Wonder if a stereo receiver might be a better bet? Built-in tuner would be nice given the application, but on the other hand I could just use my iPhone and Simplify or Pandora.

I've got a Cambridge Audio 540Av2 powering some 8ohm 88dB kit speakers as part of my modest/main TV/CD/DVD/Xbox setup. The Rec-mon also feeds my Millett Max.

It is a very nice little amp for the price and seems to tick most of your boxes. Don't know how it would deal with your sub though - but I presume you could run it from the pre-out just fine.

Ta Beefy. Looks like I can get a Squeezebox and a NAD325BEE for under my limit if I scrounge around, so I think I'm going to do that.

Yeah, a mate has got two of those NADs (HEH! nads...) around his house and they are a pretty close match to the 540Av2. And being able to manage a squeezebox in the budget..... great stuff