KEF Blade or Blade 2

I am one of those people who did not buy the Blades because I was sure it would get destroyed in my space. A good decision but a lost opportunity.

The speakers I ended up buying were the worst demo I have ever had. Sometimes a demo is dangerous to the decision-making process.

If you have the side wall space and you can keep the Blades safe you will not be sorry you got Blades.

I am one of those people that heard the KEF Blades in a large room with various Hegel gear, including their top end monos. I thought you could do better with the amps, but even with the issues with the amps (a bit grainy) the sound was so engaging.

Such a great speaker.

@questforhifi Can you elaborate more about your system? What are you using to drive the Blades?

If I got the Blades I was going to trade in my current CODA #16 for the KRELL KSA i400. I owned the lowered end KRELL DUO 175XD and they sounded great with the LS50 Meta. The CODA #16 would be good, but it is hard to argue with 400 watts of Class A for the Blades with ability to double down to 2.

These guys will find a dealer with a pair for you to hear. Send them an email.

Home Audio | KEF USA

I was speaking with a Audiogon user recently who planned to go listen to the Blade at a BestBuy (Magnolia).

I like the TAD’s too, but they are no longer sold in the USA (my TAD dealer’s comment). You may get a bit more detail with the TAD Be tweeter, but I take the Blade every time

@questforhifi Thanks for the description of your system. You and I likely have similar sonic tastes.

Good to learn about the Powercell 12 uef se. I was looking for another conditioner that would do what my 10-year-old Torus RM15 does in my office system. The Torus also provides power on peak demand.

I had the Lumin X1 and loved the streamer part, especially with the fibre input since I only stream with fibre. I no longer have the X1.

I also owned a KRELL DUO 175XD which is one step below your amp. Since you are looking at new preamps let me suggest 2 that I know, and I think will work great with the KRELL. The Benchmark LA4 will work great, and you have a 30-day home trial, maybe 60-day with online sellers. The Holo Serene is almost identical to the LA4 and a bit warmer. I have both and would go with the LA4 on the warm KRELL. Though the Serene does sound great with my warmer CODA #16. The reason I mention these 2 is because for my sonic sensibilities they compare with preamps at ANY price. Both are around $3k.

I will send you a DM about the KSA i400. I am still thinking of this amp.

I was also wondering about these for my Yamaha NS5000 speakers.
Seismic Isolation Pods | Supertweeters (townshendaudio.com)

On my old LS50 upgrade to the LS50 Meta I found it a substantial upgrade. It sounded like an overall better speaker. I no longer have the LS50 Meta but it was a great speaker for my small office. The LS50 was very good but sounded veiled in relation. 

The blades need surprisingly a lot of power to really sing, Meaning to pair the blades with a class A amp, and truely power them correctly will cost some real money in amp pairing

A KRELL Duo 300XD amp can be had used for around $7k. That is 300 watts Class A (when needed) and would be amazing with the Blades.

If I had the Blades I would use the new KRELL KSA i400. It is the 300XD on steroids.