Amplifier ideas with KEF Reference 1

Do yourself a favor and try and listen to the T+A R1000E integrated with DAC and streaming services.  It runs cool, has a very high SQ DAC and will easily drive the Kefs.  Should fit right in with your tight and fast bass with great musicality and will easily fit your budget ( around $8k).  Good Luck!

Yes, I believe the Wireworld Gold Eclipse 7 XLR would work. I'm a huge fan of the GutWire UNO-S XLR myself. The best I've used. 

In regards to the T+A R1000E, I'm sure it would work nicely, but not in the league of the Bel Canto Black EX. It is less money though, but the Bel Canto Black EX integrated still fits within the listed budget. As a side note, I used the T+A PA 2500 R with the T+A DAC 8 DSD before the Bel Canto. This is a higher end combo that the R1000E, but even then, the Bel Canto is a nice step up in my opinion. 

Ayre AX-5 Twenty.  Loved this combination when I was able to audition recently at a private home.  I am currently using an Ayre VX-5/20 to power my KEF LS50s while I am auditioning for new full range speakers and I am constantly amazed at the synergy.

@d2girs: I haven't heard the KEF Ref 1's but (1) I have enjoyed my KEF LS50's, (2) they're pretty well reviewed, and (3) I can get a killer price on a new pair. What are you thinking in that price range for bookshelf speakers? I don't want to spend more than $5000. As for Ref 3's, they won't fit in my office.

@jwpstayman: If budget would allow, I'd go for the T+A 3100HV integrated. $17K is my all in amplifier budget. I'd prefer to keep it under $10K.

@drrsutliff: I haven't listened to the Ayre equipment to any great extent. A local dealer pairs it with Magico speakers...the combination was too dry and thin for what sounds good to my ears. Not sure if that's Magico or Ayre....or both!

@keoliphant I have also invested a little bit of money into my office system. I originally had LS50’s powered by PeachTree Nova 150 integrated. I moved that system to the bedroom and now have the Audience 1+1 V2+ speakers driven by a single Benchmark AHB2 amp in the office. The Audience 1+1 speaker has a clearer sound than the LS50, though I love both speakers equally. The LS50 has a little more heft to it.

You may want to do a little bit of research on the Audience 1+1. I was going to get the KEF Ref 1 for the office but decided against it because I would eventually end up with 3 KEF based systems. I wanted a little more speaker diversity and I am so glad I got the Audience 1+1. It is a different sounding speaker from the small KEFs.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audience-clairaudient-11-v2-loudspeaker/

I heard the KEF Ref 1 with the latest Wired4Sound monoblocks and it was fabulous. I ended up staying and listening to that system longer than I planned. Seriously good sound and not too expensive.

https://wyred4sound.com/products/power-amps/mono/sx-1000r

The Benchmark AHB2 would also be a great amp to pair with the KEF Ref 1’s though I am not sure if it would meet your needs for a warm sound. This amp has no sound to it and maybe the quietest amp available at ANY price.. I would recommend 2 of these amps in monoblock for the Ref 1 ($6k total new). Maybe a little over the top in power but the amp is so cheap for the performance. It also has a shocking small form factor which you will appreciate for an office. Your PS Audio DAC will work well with it. I use the new Benchmark DAC3L

https://www.dagogo.com/benchmark-audio-dac3-dx-ahb2-amplifiers-review/

My final audio purchase will be KEF Blades for the living room. I am thinking about some different ideas to drive them or getting a second Benchmark AHB2 and running them in monoblock form with the Blades. There are some A’Gon users successfully using the AHB2 amps in this setup. If I get a second AHB2 and use them in the living room I am thinking of splurging for the Luxman 509x for the office. BTW - I have a budget of 30K for the living room amps so I have many choices.

I also use Audience cables and speaker wires. I will get the top of the line Audience wires for my living room system,

I have heard the Hegel 360 with the KEF Blades and that integrated would also work great with the Ref 1’s. You would not need the Hegel 590. The Hegel really makes sense from a practicality perspective and also sound wise. However, I do feel the AHB2 sounds better than the Hegel (for me). I was lucky to have an almost private 2 hour audition with the Blades and H30 | 360 | Roost amps from Hegel. The H30 and 360 sounded very good with the Blades but something tells me the AHB2 in mono maybe better.

The PeachTree Nova 300 also would work with the Ref 1’s. Maybe not as great as some of the others I have listed but you are supposed to be working in your office (correct)? This integrated should work well enough and I may also get this if I don’t do something crazy and buy the Luxman 509x for the office.

I have actually heard the Kef Ref 1 with a few more amplifiers that escape me now. I do not think this speaker is too difficult to drive but I would try to use more than 100 wattts.

I think there are a lot of really good amplification choices these days without having to break the bank. The 10K mark for office amplification is a little tough to justify but it is just money. The stuff I have listed all run cool and some are very small in form factor.