Replacing KEF LS50s with Reference 1s


Has anyone done this and if so what is your conclusion?  The sources would be an Ayre C-5xeMP disc player and Sony HAP-Z1ES going through a K-5xeMP preamp to a VX-5 Twenty amp the drives the LS50s or Reference 1s.  A pair of Velodyne HGS-10s might be used with an SMS-1 bass manager to supplement LF.  I have five glossy black LS50s I'd be willing to sell to pretty much cover the cost of the pair of used Reference 1s -- I'd keep the racing red LS50s my wife so loves.

db 
Ag insider logo xs@2xdbphd
We sell both brands

The Coda electronics are wonderfal and their tonality and bass control are outstanding.

Troy 
Www.audiodoctor.com

ohlala
I'm considering a pair of used Reference 1s with stands, but you're correct that at best the sale of 5 LS50s will likely cover less than half the cost.

mountainsoung
My experience with KEF Reference speakers is limited to the pair of 107/2s and a 204/2C I now enjoy, but the LS50s are amazing speakers.
I've proposed moving the racing red LS50s to side surround duty in the media room, but my wife wants them to remain in the living room, so Reference 1s may be out.  I think I'll reconnect the HGS-10s and SMS-1 bass-manager, but the Ayre preamp provides no bass management (nor does my Parasound JC 2 BP) so the LS50s will run full range.  I suppose I could insert the SMS-1 between the Ayre preamp and amp, but that would violate the all-Ayre balanced link from source to speaker.

db
You can try fmod attenuators for really cheap. I hear they are fairly transparent. Can buy off amazon. High pass in most frequencies. Would go into the rca input signal in your amp.