Help me pair the KEF R11 Metas...?

maybe try the amps he used in his review? I think that pro Crown amp is only $600 new

I replaced the cables as well, switching from custom audiophile speaker cables, to simple OF bare copper. I then connected a new Cambridge Audio MXN10 DAC/Streamer as a Tidal source, instead of using Bluetooth, and let it rip...OMG....night and day better.

First, sorry about your unfortunate A’gon handle — did you lose a bet or something? Second, your methods and/or communication skills are sorely lacking. From what you said you not only switched the amp but also the streamer/DAC, cables, and from Bluesound to Tidal at the same time. Why would you do that??? Did you at least put the Cambridge 840a back in the system with everything else the same and compare again? As explained this makes no sense to me and I’m not gonna waste my time trying to figure out what’s going on here. Good luck in whatever.

Nice buy on the speakers. While the specs on the Technics are decent power-wise, a bit more might make the KEFS happy. However as a simple first step, you might try a separate preamp and bypass the one in your integrated using Main In. I think the quality of your sound might improve significantly. A low cost experiment would be a Schiit Kara. I have KEFS and love the sound, they have responded well to every upgrade I have made. 

Never buy a speaker without hearing it first.

Is it returnable?

@soix I admit changing the amp, cables and source was too many variables to compare, but you missed my final question:

With a desire to maximize the $6,000 KEFs potential, should I be looking to replace the $300 "vintage" Technics SU-G91 Class A integrated amplifier with something else?

Can this strange pairing between the new KEFs and the old Technics really be this good?

We’re it me, I think my Hypex powered Cambridge Evo 150 I use with ls50 metas and powered sub would do nicely with the r11 metas. Or I might look at a minidsp+Hypex separates combo from Deer Creek Audio as a possible step up to not just drive them well but to also be able to apply DSP for Room correction, which is a major game changer. I do that currently with the Evo using Roon’s DSP.

@zlone Thanks for the recommendation. I agree, separates would be ideal and I have been considering McIntosh, PS Audio or Hegel for the setup, but auditioning these before buying is difficult, if not impossible...unless I buy and return, but I hate doing that. #guilt

I'm struggling with where I am sonically now (1% to 100%) and where I could be by spending an additional $5,000. Is it 5%, 20%, 50% better?

The audiophiles dilemma I suppose...

With a desire to maximize the $6,000 KEFs potential, should I be looking to replace the $300 "vintage" Technics SU-G91 Class A integrated amplifier with something else?

Can this strange pairing between the new KEFs and the old Technics really be this good?

Of the brands mentioned, I would lean towards the Hegel. I believe that others have mentioned seeing KEF demo with Hegel at shows. The H390 would cover a lot of bases and allow you to upgrade to better streamer/DAC later. Check out the used ones on Audiogon and USAM. 

From what I read, Hegel has a good rep for amps but not as much for digital/DACs, so something there to consider (what’s the weakest link?) when choosing. Personally, I would lean towards a separate highly regarded (by both professionals and the general public) DAC like say Benchmark with a Hegel amp.

Also FWIW I heard the R11 metas at a dealer run off a Michi integrated amp and that was a very good pairing as well. 

@mapman Thank you for the recommendations.

As an add-on, I also need an amp with A+B speaker outs to also power my outdoor speakers without a separate amp. This is why I haven't bought a McIntosh yet. They don't make an amp with A+B. 

My only options seem to be Yamaha, Technics & Accuphase...

My amp has two speaker outputs but I still just use a speaker switch box.   Many good ones out there and not expensive so that might open up more amp options.