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Help selecting integrated amp for ls50

Hey everyone,
its been a long time since I e posted here but it's time to upgrade my system and I need suggestions. 

Im thinking heavily of picking up the ls50s (although I've selected these without auditioning them since no shop here has demos).  I needed something small and in a white color (and yes, these factors were influenced by decor and my wife).  So if I do choose the ls50s I would also need a integrated amplifier.  I've read tons about the necessity of careful matching of room, amp and placement so I thought I'd better ask here before I pull the trigger. 

The room ithe system will be in is concrete and is about 15'x23'. It's a combined kitchen and living room no separation. There is carpeting on the living room which is 15'x13'. The speakers will be on a sliding shelf from a wall unit/ cabinet system. The shelf will allow the speaker to stick out of the cabinet. 

Budget is ideally <$1,000 for the amp but I'll likely get a used one to maximize the buck. Any help would be really appreciated!



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zuio's avatar
zuio
96 posts
 
No contest, buy the ls50 wireless, it is active = better bass, uses DSP (maximized use of the drivers, room / Speaker placement correction, wireless streaming. It is the best kitchen system and will have a better resale value.

i would not invest in $$$ high End electronics for the passive ls50. After all it is not that good. It is a low efficiency speaker with little bass and poor dynamics.

if looks are not that important I would buy a pair of JBL LSR305 or lsr 308, 1.5m Audioquest 3,5mm to cinch cable, chord mojo + poly. This is the best bang for buck system of this decade. Lacking ultimate resolution and neutrality of higher end systems but with dynamics many higher End speakers only can dream of.
joshelston
53 posts
 
I have ls50's too.  At first I used them them with a Rega Elicit but had to sell for financial reasons.  I now use them with a Wyred for sound Dac-2 and MK II amp.  I know it's not an integrated amp but wanted to throw in my experience with this company.  I couldn't be happier with Wyred for Sound.  You will find a TON of reviews on the Wyred for Sound MINT that has enough watts for you.  You can find one used in the price range your seeking.  Look into that and let us know what you think.  
joshelston
53 posts
 
I also can recommend the IsoAcoustics for the ls50's.
treebeard1
148 posts
 
What @zuio said - get the active LS50s. The reviews are fantastic and no amp to buy. The main drawback is there is only one digital input. So no CD and Tidal. You have to pick. TV would be on RCA. If that’s not an issue then active is the way to go.

If you are set on an integrated you might look at the Parasound Halo integrated. It has a built-in DAC with all the connections you will ever need, including phono pre and high/low sub crossovers.  I just ordered one for my KEF R300s. Don’t have it yet so I can’t attest to the SQ but reviews are stellar.
pokey77
1,267 posts
 
I've heard the LS50s a number of times. And always with Parasound gear. The gear was always separates and in the introduction year with around $5-6k of pre/amp, they really sung. Everyone at the Newport Show that was walking into that room really liked them and I thought very seriously about buying a pair even though I had no use for them. I've also heard the LS50s with less power, still Parasound, and felt they were not as good. They seem to require a lot of clean power to sound their best. It is possible the Parasound Integrated would work well but have not heard that combo. Also have not heard the active version.
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