KEF Reference 3 or Raidho X2?


KEF Reference 3 or Raidho X2?
Which one you would buy?
cclee2022
@verdantaudio, highly appreciate your professional advice.
the gears I have as follow:

Power AM: Audio Space AS 6i with electro-harmonic KT88 EH tube x 4; National 6SN7 tube x 2; Sovtek 6SC7 tube x 2.

DAC: Marantz SA 10

Cable is from USA recommended by Audio Space which is a manufacturer and wholesaler of vacuum tube amplifier based in Hong Kong.

Wonder if the above would be able to support XT2 to bring out the details? Or, would it be better to settle with X2?

Hope to hear from you again.

Learnt a lot from this discussion. Thanks so much.


We have a ton of kef experience 

The ref series are rather remarkable they do multiple things well they throw a large and well focused soundstage they  have vert good resolution they can play reasonably loud they are not hard to drive they have accurate sound

Dave and troy
AUDIO INTELLECT NJ
KEF FULL LINE DEALER





That Marantz unit is excellent.  It will more than do the job.
Regarding the amp, this is a tough one.  I have never heard that amp.  I tried researching it and available data is limited so my POV is based strictly on spec’s and is worth exactly what you paid for it compared to your own experience or someone who actually knows the amp.

This a relatively low wattage class AB.  If you are in a larger space or listen at higher volume, I would be concerned about how much you are taxing this amp.  I would rather it be Class A where output is constant and then, running volume at 90% would be no big deal.  

Secondarily, I know nothing about the internal parts used and the quality of the amplification.  Price makes me wonder but I have heard awesome, modestly priced amps and others that are awful.  Quality of transformer and caps is key here.  

Because of my recent experience with the Canor AI 1.10, I have a very favorable opinion of EHX KT88s.  They do a careful match and they can be brilliant.  
In the end, only you can know if this amp is up to the task. 
This amp may work with the Raidho’s.  I would not use this for the KEF’s unless you are in a small space.  

KEFs are more neutral than the Raidho - KEF generally following the science of speaker design supported by Floyd Toole's (and Harman Kardon's) research, which is a neutral on axis sound with lightly sloping off axis frequency response so as not to end up to bright in a real room.

Raidho's have a self-admittedly distinctive departure from neutral - something like the BBC dip, engineered in for a more laid back spacious presentation.

I auditioned Raidho and though I found the ribbon/cone integration perhaps the best I've ever heard, I was just too aware of the departure from neutral.  Too many instruments and musical parts that I knew through other speakers (e.g. my Thiel 3.7s) to have presence and drive in the music, where made distant and softer on the Raidhos, loosing immediacy and drive.

The Raidho bass does slam surprisingly hard though.

I've been trying to DIY the sound of Raidhos for years. I've gottento 85%. If you can get the real thing, DO IT! Keep smiling1