2. amps-preamps
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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
mboldda1's avatar
mboldda1
575 posts
 
@uncola it seems your speaker balance problem may be due to speaker placement.  you have one speaker jammed up against a dresser and the other one is open ended.
uncola
59 posts
 
hah no it happens with both rooms of speakers.. and it's like a 90% reduction in volume in the right channel.  It's ok I will just avoid those volume levels..  don't want to mail in such a big amp.  I mostly listen at lvls 1-15 so it's not too big a deal
mboldda1's avatar
mboldda1
575 posts
 
did you discuss it with alvin?
maritime51's avatar
maritime51
1,288 posts
 
A real shame 
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Uncola
In other news I did notice the right channel sound less loud than the left when I have volume set to 16 through 32 ... it’s like a 90% reduction in volume in the right channel.

Are you sure the problem is evident at 16 through 32, rather than at 16 through 31?

If the latter, it sounds like one of the digital bits that controls the volume selection in the internal circuitry of the amp is stuck, and won’t change from 0 to 1 or vice versa. I suspect that you would also find a volume reduction in the right channel at some higher volume settings, if you were to have occasion to use them, in groups of 16 settings.

In any event, unfortunately it certainly sounds like the amp has a defect.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al
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