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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
keoliphant OP
86 posts
 
Thanks for the insight and ideas yyzsb. I'm with you, it's just money..... And considering that I spend more time at the office than home, my office setup should be killer.

I'm thinking whatever I choose needs to have the wife acceptance factor in case it comes home. My wife hated the looks of the wyred, benchmark, McIntosh, and Hegel....the bel canto black ex (integrated or separates) and the Luxman 509x were her favorites so those are my final options. 

Decisions, decisions!!!
anygreg's avatar
anygreg
26 posts
 
The Hegel 590 is a killer amp, heard recently running blades! Incredible. regarding the looks, understated yes, but personally I’d rather this than the extra expense going into looks and style.

also consider the Arcam class G kit, P/A49 etc... again a very good amp, and works well with the Ref 1,3 etc...
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
keoliphant

They are fairly hard to drive as in the power region of the bass they present a load to the amp of around 3.2ohm and that's broad from 50hz to 200hz.
Look for amps that are happy seeing 3ohms all day as many tube,mosfets, and Class-d may not do the job.
I would hunt out linear amps with beefy power supplies, that use multiple BJT (bi-polar) output devices. Like John Curl designed Parsounds, Krell, D'Agostiono, Gryphon, some Classe's, Mark Levinson. ect 

https://www.fidelity-magazin.de/2016/08/23/kef-reference-1-messungen/

Cheers George
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Lots of positive reviews on the Lyngdorf. If it were me, I would first replace the pre/amp and keep the LS50. You might just get enough incremental improvement from your LS50 by adding room correction that you may be satisfied with the results. Keep the rest of the budget for the next major upgrade.
yyzsantabarbara
4,721 posts
 
@keoliphant Based on your responses I would think the Luxman 509x will be what you end up with. I never gave too much consideration on looks for audio gear but that Luxman has super model looks to it. The loudness button on the Luxman 509x would also be very useful to my office setup when I am working late at night.

I should also mention that I did hear the KEF Ref 1 sound awful once at a dealer. That was when it was played in a room about the same size as yours. The speakers were facing a wall full of glass. It was unbearably bad and I was shocked the dealer simply did not flip the room configuration around. My take away from that was that there is a lot of bass coming from the Ref 1.

I also wanted to mention that the Magico A3 speaker maybe an interesting choice for your office.

I found that when I work my long hours in my office I do not want too much bass hitting my ears. The LS50 and the Audience 1+1 are great at this for a small to medium size rooms.
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