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Recommendations Amp, DAC for Kef R900

Looking for advice on Amp’s and DAC’s for my new Kef R900 speakers.  Currently running them with only a Yamaha A-S801 amp, and I’m afraid I may be under powering the speakers, and may damage them (although I have not heard any clipping yet).

I am using a Sonos Connect - listen to mostly Tidal and Spotify, both through my iPhone, and the USB port on amp.  Listen to large variety of music, but mostly to Alternative, Classic Rock, and Reggae.  I will also be attaching TV to system soon, but will use the system 99% of the time for just music. Unless I start watching a lot of movies, I don’t plan on adding a sub. Have the system setup in my fairly large, basement. 

I want to purchase a very nice system, but only want to purchase in steps.  When finished I would like a good 2ch integrated Amp, and DAC system, but am wondering if I should get separate Amp/Pe-Amp.  Would I notice a big difference listening to streaming?  I was hoping to use the Yamaha as the Pre-Amp, and buy a nice Amp next, but I believe that this is not an option.  I want to buy used, budget of $2k for Amp, $1.5k for DAC, but I am flexible.


vaporcloud
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
It cured nothing. My 900 problem persists. When they behave, they are great. When the ripping sound occurs, they are awful. The offending sound is not a function of power, but I believe these sound better at higher settings.

I am trying to sell mine. If I can’t sell them, goodwill gets em.

KEF’s theory was a sympathetic vibration in or around my Salamander. Obviously, that has never been mine, and I believe I clearly negatived this contention.
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
The Kinki EX M1 drives the R900 very well, and if he doesn’t have the issue, I recommend it. I went from McIntosh c15/MC202 to Rotel RC/rB 1590, and then the Kinki, and new cables and interconnects, yet the condition persists....

op, try Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Calling, moderate volume-about 2:30 you’ll hear a discontinuity or ripping sound when she lets go, and it’ll scare your donkey. If you don’t hear it, you don’t have the condition.
uncola
56 posts
 
I just got the Kinki ex m1 too, it really is a giant killer.  I'll try them with my q900's tomorrow and let you know how it sounds, I know it's not the same class as r900
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
Please try Mary Chapin Carpenters The Calling for me, moderately loud, and see if your uni Q distorts at times. Thanks
uncola
56 posts
 
Hey Maritine I moved the amp to my q900 home theatre and set it up as a 2 channel setup and I didn't notice any problems playing back that song.  

I made a short video https://youtu.be/qw7CIA2acFw

In other news I did notice the right channel sound less loud than the left when I have volume set to 16 through 32.. gotta do more testing
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