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Amplifier ideas with KEF Reference 1

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a pair of KEF reference 1's for my 10'x14' office (currently LS50's). Current electronic setup is all PS Audio (bhk monoblocks, bhk  signature preamp, directstream dac). Incredible sound, zero complaints other than the fact that the monoblocks run hot. I'm getting cooked so the whole ps audio setup is listed for sale.... Although it just may end up at home for a future 2 channel setup!

So with that background, please share ideas for a high quality system that's cool running. Budget up to $15k. I'll add that I favor the warmer side of the spectrum. I'm a bass player and like tight, fast, deep bass..... Glorious mids, and smooth highs. Current ideas to match with the  KEF Reference 1's include:

1. Bel Canto Black EX (integrated or the separates). My contact says the separates are far superior. I'm concerned this setup is too analytical. Anyone heard them?

2. Bel Canto Ref600m. Keep my directstream dac and bhk signature preamp. Probably more than good for an office!?!

3. Hegel 360 or the new forthcoming monster integrated (590)? They're not too pretty to look at but it seems like I've read about hegel and kef being matched at several audio shows. Is there a hegel house sound particularly with the KEF’s?

4. McIntosh mc611. I'll admit it.... I'm a sucker for the looks of McIntosh plus their easy listenability. I've never had ear fatigue listening to a McIntosh setup. I'd be keeping the directstream dac and bhk signature preamp for this combo. Afraid that is be giving up a lot going from the bhk monoblocks to the McIntosh with similar heat. 

5. Luxman L509x. Brand new. Supposed to be very musical and runs cool. I'd probably run with the directstream dac. 

Your thoughts / ideas are appreciated.... Especially if you've heard the recommendation with KEF reference 1's. It's all about system synergy, right!?!

thank you,
ken


keoliphant
craezyhorse
2 posts
 
I have a pair of cherry kef reference 1 on the way but am also scratching my head about amplification. 
Was planning tube driven process with my McIntosh 275 VI but now am worried about under powering them...

my listening room is small but should I be thinking about bi-amping?

thanks everyone!
yyzsantabarbara
4,808 posts
 
https://darko.audio/2019/10/a-short-film-about-the-hegel-h390-kef-reference-1/
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd
1,628 posts
 
I ran LS50s with Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp and VX-5 Twenty amp, with Roon via Ethernet to a QX-5 digital hub and a DX-5 DSD disc player as sources.  I've since replaced the LS50s with Ref 1s.  The sound with LS50s or Ref 1s is excellent in our 14' X 19' room.  Only caveat is the amp runs a bit warm, but we're about a block from the beach in Montecito (AKA Santa Barbara). 
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,780 posts
 
We have mixed feelings on the Hegel, Keoliphant finds the treble a bit thin so we are wondering what is causing that? We had a demo earlier in the year of the Hegel 190 and the Nuprime STA 9 combo with the Nad C658 dac/preamp far outperformed it for the same money. 

The new 390 is supposed to sound great.

As per Darko's video, on the Hegel/Ref 1  although we often respect his opinions he liked the Kii speakers and we really don't like them at all so it is hard to tell if this combo sounds great or just better than the Kii or are there other similarly priced amplifiers that will offer the great bass of the Hegel amplifier with other qualities.

When we had the older Hegel series  we found that the Luxman and the Unision Research or Coda CS ib intergrated amplifiers were often chossen over the Hegel in our shootouts at the shop. 

At one time we had the Hegel, Luxman, Coda, Unison Reseach, Naim and Devialet integrated amplifiers all in the 

The other point is that the OP made is that Kef often shows with Hegel, that may be more of a corporate decision than the sonic one, many times these pairing occurs because of a corporate relationship rather than through rigorous testing of lots of other components.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ




keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
@audiotroy 
The thin treble comment was when the unit had about a dozen hours on it. The H590 is fully broken in and glorious. Great combo with Kef Reference 1’s. Tara Labs The Muse Speaker Cables, Wireworld power cable and USB from MacBook Pro.
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