Magico S5 vs KEF Blade 2 vs TAD Evo One vs YG Kipod II Sig w/pwr bass

Thanks so much Dave!

Thats funny I actually have not pulled the trigger on the Parasound JC2 - that's the only thing I don't actually own yet but was going to pull the trigger on it today - I'm running my Bricasti direct now and like it but want a pre and thought JC2 at $1700 was a good grab.

 I don't want to meas up this thread and talk about pres but I will run the few cheaper ones I'm considering for feedback if no one minds.

I'm thinking about the JS2 - I've never heard it in my system but I never got to buy stuff while getting to hear it my system. I'm not going to waiste a dealers time and doubt they can match the used prices. 

I heard the Sopra 2 wasn't really that impressed but maybe it was the system but I'm looking for more speaker.

Rockport Atria 1 is the same price also but thought that the S5 or Magico would be better. I wanted to ask about YG because it's $4000 less.

Regardless of what I buy I don't want anything damaged - scratch is no problem but a damaged base unless it can be ordered and repaired I wouldn't want to get it home and have it be broken that would bum me out too much. Is regular blade a lot better than Blade 2 in my medium room 12x23? I would think it might be kinda small for a regular Blade but really don't know.

The speakers and shipping are eating up so much of my budget I wanted to get a pre for $2000 or under as an alternative to running my Bricasti direct:

for pres under $2000 I was thinking

Parasound JC2 $1,700
Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE $1,200
Cary SLP-98 $2000
Modwrite LS100 $1800
CJ Classic SE $1000
Audio Valve Eklipse $2000
VTL 5.5 $1800

Wow this is a tough one, these are all good speakers here is my take as someone who knows all of these speakers:

1: Tad Evolution is a good speaker transparent not particularily great in the bass good sound stage never was blown away by the TADs includigng the big models.

2: YG in all the shows we have heard them they tend to sound okay most of the time, we did the New York Audio show in 2012 with the big Kef Blades on an all Chord setup about $125k  worth of gear and heard the $107 Sonja setup on all Solution a $400k setup and came away with the Kef Blades at $32k sounded just as good, here the Sonja's did sound very good, heard an old Kipod demo with dual Krells years ago and that demo they did sound very good. 

In comparison to the other speakers The YG are not as transparent. We heard the $25k 2 way model at the last New York audio show and was not impressed at all. You have to hear them for yourself. 

3: Magicos are a love hate speaker, they are very well made, have good bass but not super deep, good sound staging, to my ear they are sterile and lack musicallity, but others love em. 

Personally I would take a Focal Sopra over these, as well as used Rockport.  I would also recommend that you listen to the new Persona 5f very transparent, very holographic, with surprisingly deep bass, nice size and nice looking.

Sometimes buying new will get you a better sound for less or the same money as buying a used expensive speaker.

As a Kef Blade dealer I do think we are biased. Howver, they are really amazing when setup with good equipment, your Pass and Briscati stuff are good, I would ditch the Parasoud preamp it is okay it is not a great preamp no matter what the reviews say, we had a full Halo reference setup with JC 2 and JC 1 monos, Electrocompaniet gear sounded way better for not much more money.  We have a demo set of Blades with cosmetic damage at the same price as a pair of Blade 2 if you are interested. Damage is one scratch and the speakers need a new base. 

Look for a BAT VK 52  or a used Pass preamp, if you want a great sounding preamp a bit more tuby Cary SLP 98. Personally we much prefer a tube front end with a solid state amplifier.

Another option for you would be to listen to these speakers at a dealer with the proviso that you would purchase a dealer demo if they have one, you would be surprised how many dealers might have a slightly dinged up product that they would sell for the same price or nearly the same price at what many people sell used products for and you would get a full warranty and the service and support of a good dealer. 

Dave owner
Audio Doctor NJ

Shadome - thanks for the response. Do you think Magico S5 will be bass flabby? I don't know myself thats why I'm asking -thanks for the taking time to respond. 

I would choose between KEF or the TAD. The others two will be bass flabby (one of your concerns). 

I heard the YG at a club meeting...they were offered to us for more than 50% off....no one took the offer.....I thought they were not for me at all. Never heard the Blade, but that's what VPI uses to evaluate their products

Onhwy61 - thanks so much - I posted on my phone and just noticed all the type-o's which just made my cringe but can't edit it now :( 

Thanks so much for the kind feedback! 

No opinion on any of the loudspeakers, but your post should be used as a model for others about how to provide relevant information.

Good luck!