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Recommendations Amp, DAC for Kef R900

Looking for advice on Amp’s and DAC’s for my new Kef R900 speakers.  Currently running them with only a Yamaha A-S801 amp, and I’m afraid I may be under powering the speakers, and may damage them (although I have not heard any clipping yet).

I am using a Sonos Connect - listen to mostly Tidal and Spotify, both through my iPhone, and the USB port on amp.  Listen to large variety of music, but mostly to Alternative, Classic Rock, and Reggae.  I will also be attaching TV to system soon, but will use the system 99% of the time for just music. Unless I start watching a lot of movies, I don’t plan on adding a sub. Have the system setup in my fairly large, basement. 

I want to purchase a very nice system, but only want to purchase in steps.  When finished I would like a good 2ch integrated Amp, and DAC system, but am wondering if I should get separate Amp/Pe-Amp.  Would I notice a big difference listening to streaming?  I was hoping to use the Yamaha as the Pre-Amp, and buy a nice Amp next, but I believe that this is not an option.  I want to buy used, budget of $2k for Amp, $1.5k for DAC, but I am flexible.


vaporcloud
vaporcloud OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.

The Yamaha seems to be working ok, but I would like to have best sound possible from the Kef's.

Both the Kinki and Lyngdorf look nice... but it looks like it may be difficult to find one used!!  Any suggestions for something that I could buy used?
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
Well, the KEF starts to sing o lay at higher power....
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 
Maritime51, So was the problem with your KEF’s not the speakers after all?  This new amp fixed your speaker complaint.  
Component matching isn’t always simple.
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
It cured nothing. My 900 problem persists. When they behave, they are great. When the ripping sound occurs, they are awful. The offending sound is not a function of power, but I believe these sound better at higher settings.

I am trying to sell mine. If I can’t sell them, goodwill gets em.

KEF’s theory was a sympathetic vibration in or around my Salamander. Obviously, that has never been mine, and I believe I clearly negatived this contention.
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
The Kinki EX M1 drives the R900 very well, and if he doesn’t have the issue, I recommend it. I went from McIntosh c15/MC202 to Rotel RC/rB 1590, and then the Kinki, and new cables and interconnects, yet the condition persists....

op, try Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Calling, moderate volume-about 2:30 you’ll hear a discontinuity or ripping sound when she lets go, and it’ll scare your donkey. If you don’t hear it, you don’t have the condition.
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