Best amp for KEF LS50

Bigridge,

What type of sound do you like? The reason I ask is because I am close to buying the Benchmark amp to go with my KEF LS50 and Benchmark DAC2. Your dissatisfaction with the Benchmark is surprising to read since all the prior reports I have read were very positive. What did you not like about the Benchmark?

Hegel amp/integrated are being demo with KEF speakers at shows, both the LS50 and Blade2. You may want to check out a Hegel. The new Bryston 3B-SST3 is also another amp to consider. I heard the new Wyred4Sound amp with the KEF Reference 1 recently and it sounded great.
https://wyred4sound.com/products/power-amps

Also check out the DARKO web site which has a lot of reviews of amps with the LS50.
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/category/reviews/

BTW - I am currently using a Parasound A23 amp with the KEF LS50, but this amp is dying a slow death and needs to be replaced.

Unfortunately, the Halo A23 is not half the amp that the A21 is.  A criticism I hear of the LS50 is that they can sound forward/harsh with the wrong electronics.

I bought the A23 for $500 on eBay and it has done a great job at that price point. Now the amp is dying but I got 4-5 years out of it in my office system.

KEF used to demo the LS50 with the A23 when the LS50 first came out in the USA.

Best I have heard the ls50 sound is with Devialet 120/200.

Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum ii