Bragging rights.....

@flasd the difference between today and yesteryear is the technological advancements that make things now possible that never were before.  You can bank on that!

@hi @bondmanp

yes you are right about the move from 500 w/ch to now 120w/ch as per product specs.

originally I was targeting the more powerful nad m33 to come closer. However the Cambridge was a better fit for me feature-wise. So given a good return policy I decided to see what the Cambridge could do first for $2k+ less. You don’t know until you try.

No doubt the Cambridge cannot go as loud as the prior 500w/ch monoblocks could. But they do go no problem up to ~ 90db from my main listening position about 10 feet back from my large Ohms. I’ve pretty much decided that I can live with that. Plenty of volume with less risk of hearing damage over time from very high spls. Plus the Cambridge does other things very well that delivers more of the music at lower spl. So turns out I can live with a good 120 w/ch of Hypex amplification.

Regarding the kefs, The metas are a step beyond the original ls50s in every way plus I use a sub. So there is the nth degree of detail and yes still a slightly livelier sound than the Ohms, but with the F5s, how much less laid back they are depends on where the two higher frequency adjustments are set on the F5s. The Cambridge presentation overall is inherently more forward I would say than the older Bel Canto Class D amps they replaced. The sound is less laid back and more lively and detailed at all frequencies. I’d attribute that to the much newer Class D amps. The sound stage is not quite as wide wall to wall as before. That happens whenever there is more high-frequency (directional) sound energy produced. I actually had my F5s set with a 3db high frequency boost prior. Now I moved that back with the new amps. It’s really a matter of personal preference. Within its lower SPL limits, the Cambridge does bass as well and probably better than before. Still all there at the right levels and more articulate as before. It’s really only fair to compare ls50s to larger Ohms when used with a sub and even then only in a smaller room. Both Ohms and Kefs currently sound magnificent but not the same. The kef metas and sub are wonderful for peering into the nth degree of detail in a recording. The Ohms are perhaps a tad behind in that regard but are still the ones that I choose to listen to for extended periods when I just want to kick back and enjoy the music. I am very fortunate to have many different ways to listen to and appreciate music. Good times!

@mapman No Doubt … If only the mfg’s would work out the kinks 1st rather than rushing to market 1st, that would be great !

@condosound

My bet was that the technology available now in the good products would move me forward and that happened.

What lies on the future? Probably even better things and more options So I will cross that bridge when it comes. The Evo will likely not be going anywhere soon.

Remember this was an experiment that worked out I waited over 6 months to start unloading the old gear.

I have a BelCanto c5i still upstairs as well. Also does it all except requires separate streamer. There is a newer model out the c6i. Probably already another step forward there, but not planning any changes there at present

@mapman, very interesting, Map! I have somewhat struggled a bit with doing this very thing as a wholesale change. I pretty well completed my "retirement" system a few years ago, and while I am not quite yet retired, the system is, and has, given me such pleasure. 

Over the years I have accumulated a few extra pieces prior to that main system over-haul, and have kept the best pieces out of it all. One of these pieces is an all-in-one Naim Uniti1, the swiss-army knife of audio components that I have. It does pretty much everything, CD, Streamer, FM tuner, amp, preamp, DAC, in one fine box. And while it is over 10 years old, has done sterling service and I know what it is capable of, and still use it. Quite impressive even if it is "outdated" by todays standards. Yet I could live with it, as it can drive my Duevel Venus omni's quite well. 

At times, the thought of ditching all my other gear, and buying an up-to-date one box wonder, gives me great pause. Yet in it, it seems almost a good thing too, as the last couple years of my life has come about much simplifying/downsizing, yet I still do not want to compromise the quality I have in my main system. Something that I may have to come to grips with in the next year or so possibly. Really, quite a few of these all-in-one pieces are quite good in reality, it is just maybe we don't always allow ourselves to move on from the audio-nerdery business thinking it can't be as good-or even better. Maybe it is though. Everyone's situation is different, and why one might go this route or not. The main thing is still being able to enjoy our music to the fullest, no matter what the hardware may be. 

Enjoy the Cambridge, am glad you kept the Ohms, and that it appears to be working for you! I may too succumb to the dark side of downsizing/simplifying my setup soon.