Another "Best" amplifier Question.
Hope I'm not beating on the old horse too hard. I had originally intended to buy The now discontinued KEF r3s but ended up with the new Meta instead. Very pleased so far but still in burn-in mode on days wife not working from home.
Given my age, I intend for this to be my end game system (yea right). As per my previous post, system is the new R3 Metas, Bluesond Node, Technics SL-1200 MK2 with Ortofon Red, Sony UBP-X800M2 Blueray/CD and a Sony 55" XBR. No home theater set-up just seeking better audio from TV. Also Have an HSU VT1 sub. All feeding from a Yamaha R-N500 Receiver. System is hooked up to gigabit internet sevice and I listen mainly to Amazon Ultra HD music. All in all, not a high end system but somewhat better than box store IMHO.
I feel I need to replace the receiver as it not the best power choice for the KEFs. In researching, I've hit that deer in the headlights point where I'm frozen and overwhelmed by choices. Right up front I need to establish that my budget is around $2k. Only local dealer I consider audiophile carries Lyngdorf, Atoll, Marantz, NAD and Boulder. He is really pushing The Atoll IN-100 but says the Lyngforf doesn't have enough grunt. Did not even discuss Marantz or NAD and Boulder is in another universe. Atoll lacks phono but can be added at extra cost.
Online choices that intrigue me most: Emotive BASX A2/PT2 combo. Lots of features and power. Can be had (w/ first time buyer discount) for about $1100. Yamaha A-S1200 or Marantz 30 are available open box or refurb for my price range as is a JBLSA750. The JBL has a strong amp and interesting feature set including room correction. I'm probably missing many choices but I'm interested in a high currebt and from communicating with KEF, best to have something thats comfortable driving up to 150 watts into 4 ohms.
Lots of knowledge laden people so I'm looking forward to some solid advice. Thanks in advance.
I had the KRELL K-300i integratged amp on my KEF LS50 Meta's and it was great. A shame I had to sell that unit. I could use it again today on the KEFs. I am now using a CODA #16 on my LS50 Meta. I will soon upgrade that to Reference 1 Meta. The amp will stay. The CODA #8 is cheaper and also nice with the KEF LS50 but not at the level of the #16. The PeachTree Nove 150 with the LS50 (not Meta) was just OK. Sold it. I also had Benchmark AHB2 on the LS50 and liked it but that is a different sound from the KRELL and CODA. It is also a bit less powerful compared to the other 2. I loved the AHB2 sound but sold it because I got a PeachTree GAN1 (modded) that I thought was better than the AHB2 in some ways. I cannot recommend the GAN1 for the OP because it is too complicated to use (only 1 SPDIF digital input, no analog). I may give my LS50 Meta to my cousin's kid for university. If she wants the LS50 Meta I would also give this with it. Cambridge - Evo 75 All-in-One Player **OPEN BOX** - Music Direct (or the 150)
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I have owned various Kef speakers, currently R900's, and they need a good amp. I use a Belles 150v2 or a Bryston 2.5 sst2. Both sound excellent with about 130 watts @ 8 ohms. You can get a used one for $1000-$1300 or so. Much better than a receiver! I would also get a decent tube preamp. Tubes last quite a while and you will only have a few. You will not be disappointed! |
Half way there! So, I made my trip to divest myself of old stuff from the basement. Good or bad, here is the outcome. I traded my non-working Yamaha CR2020 receiver and a pair of KEF Q300 speakers plus a few box store grade items for a Yamaha M80 amp. This thing is a monster, Rated for 8-6-4 ohm speakers and safe down to 2 ohms. Rated at 250 into 8 and 330 into 4 and far exceeds it's rated output. So now I'm left with a search for a preamp. Any suggestions appreciated. |
@llg98ljk May I suggest using your Bluesound Node as a preamp for a week or so and get a feel for what the M80 sounds like in your space. My guess would be it has the classic warm Yamaha sound. In any case you'll have a better idea of where you want to go regarding a cooler/warmer pre amp. You are in a good position to test the amp as you have a somewhat transparent pre amp with the Node. All that having been said a well cared for Yamaha C-50 preamp (approx $500) would be the match for that amp price also factored in; you like the Yamaha sound may as well keep it all in the family the Yamaha C-50 won't throw you any curves. Good luck! |
Hooked up the M80 this afternoon and running it off my Bluesound Node. All I can say right now is WOW! Dialed up Amazon Ultra HD and played "My Father's house" by Emmylou Harris and "Ballad of the Runaway horse" by Jennifer Warnes. The depth and power of the bass (without subwoofer) and the clarity of the mids was amazing. This was at normal listening levels. I'm mightally impressed so far with my bargain amp. |
I have been a long-time owner of Emotiva mono-block amplifiers. I have been pleased with the sound of my system. Emotiva is best known for its amplifiers. A bonus of being US assembled.
That being said, for a few years now I have seriously pondered a change to the Schiit. Though not a Schiit owner, I too would consider a nice new pile of Schiit for your system. :) Also, a bonus of being US assembled. |
I have the KEF LS50 Meta speakers. I did a trial with a GaNfet class D amp (and a Schiit Freya+ preamp) and they really came to life. Oddly, none of my other speakers reacted that way. I think you can get away with some cheaper GaNfet amps or integrated or with a preamp and really get a great sound. Aah, just noticed that my post is a bit too late. Hope your set up works really well for you. |
The Outlaw RR2160MKII stereo receiver is only $1k - it got a favorable review in Stereophile when paired with the LS50. Includes a DAC, phono stage, radio. https://www.stereophile.com/content/outlaw-audio-rr2160-stereo-receiver |
Hopefully, final update. First of all, thanks to everyone who took the time to read and reply to my concerns. As I stated earlier, I came across a no cash exchange where I traded a nonfunctioning Yamaha CR2020 receiver and a couple of other pieces for a Yamaha M80 power amp. To be clear, I'm not stuck on Yamaha but after looking up the specs I thought it was too good to pass up. My next goal was to find a pre-amp to run things, I had just acquired my Bluesound node as a streamer and it is near to being enough of a pre but lacked phono and I kind of wanted a tuner. Many suggestions received but most were beyond my self-imposed budget. I settled on the Emotiva PT2. I know many won't approve but. for convenience, it checks all the boxes and then some. Tuner, DAC, MC/MM phono, bass management and a remote. The Emotiva is scheduled to arrive this afternoon .My current philosophy with audio is to not let perfection get in the way of good enough. I have little doubt that I will end up with a system that satisfies me. Most importantly, I will leave behind a nice bundle of stocks, bonds and cash (to my much younger wife) as opposed to a high dollar stereo system about which she cares very little :) |
