Hate Naim - so which stereo amp with Kef R100 ?

[stuartayling]

Hate Naim - so which stereo amp with Kef R100 ? I've currently got an Arcam Solo Movie 2.1 receiver but I don't use a sub so just using standard stereo aka 2.0 with a pair of I Kef R100 speakers. So seeing as I like the warm Arcam sound and hated the Naim UnitiQute I had for a little while - which stereo amps should I consider? ARCAM A18 can be found discounted due to A19 or is A19 much better? I have an Arcam rDac too that I could use if the amp doesn't have DAC unlike my current Solo Movie. Which Amps would get the best out of my speakers - both Arcam and other makes barring Naim if course Thanks, Stuart

 

[CnoEvil]

What is your max budget?

 

[stevebrock]

At least listen to a Rega Brio R, would have no problem matching Kef R100!

 

[chebby]

Of the two Arcams I would recommend the A18. British built (unlike the A19), tone controls (unlike the A19) and just about the right price now it's been discontinued.

 

[busb]

The new Creek?

 

[stuartayling]

Budget wise up to £1,000 ish but not changing the speakers so only want to spend as much as the Kef R100s can handle if that makes sense - why pay more ?

 

[CnoEvil]

Some suggestions:

- MF M3i

- Arcam A18 / 19

- Creek Evo 50A

- Rega Brio R

- Harman Kardon HK990

- Peachtree Deco 65

 

[stuartayling]

Thank you for your suggestions, a quick look for prices or new or ex demo equip puts them in this price order but the real question is which order do you think will get the very best out of the Kef R100s as the first priority and secondly is there a stand out bargain in performance per £. Thanks for your advice as it will help me prioritise my search as to what to hear demonstrated first £849 Peachtree Deco 65£825 Harman Kardon HK990£800 Music fidelity M3i£700 Creek Evo 50A£650 Arcam A19£498 Rega Brio R£275 Arcam A18

 

[stuartayling]

Thank you for your suggestions, a quick look for prices or new or ex demo equip puts them in this price order but the real question is which order do you think will get the very best out of the Kef R100s as the first priority and secondly is there a stand out bargain in performance per £. Thanks for your advice as it will help me prioritise my search as to what to hear demonstrated first £849 Peachtree Deco 65, £825 Harman Kardon HK990, £800 Music fidelity M3i, £700 Creek Evo 50A, £650 Arcam A19, £498 Rega Brio R, £275 Arcam A18.

 

[GSB]

Fwiw i have the MF3i running my R100's and i adore the sound,is very powerfull too.

 

[BigH]

If you can get the MF M3i for £800 that is a good deal. The Creek 50A is very good but not so much power as MF. Another to consider is the Marantz Pearl Lite which is about £670 new.

 

[jerry klinger]

Why do you hate Naim? oke:

 

[markiedee]

I haven't heard the arcam a18 but i do own the a19 with the kef r100s and they sound amazing and even better as they wear in. They have a very open spacious sound and very detailed, the comment about it being made in china doesn't bother me as the build and and sound quality is solid.

Near enough everything you buy these days is made in china the main thing is the sound quality at the end of the day, and i can whole heartedly recommend the arcam and the r100s.

 

[stevebrock]

Why do you hate Naim? oke:

i don't think he liked the Naim sound - which is good which means he can discount Naim in the future!

 

[stuartayling]

I said I hated Naim to draw people in to this thread as its much more evocative than saying I'm pretty happy with my Arcam Solo Movie but think I can more out of the Kef R100s as I currently am and I had a Naim UnitiQute and found it not to my liking - not very snappy saying it like this though

 

[chebby]

Why do you hate Naim? oke:

Why the interrogatory 'poke'?

Hating Naim is not a crime.

 

[plastic penguin]

Of the two Arcams I would recommend the A18. British built (unlike the A19), tone controls (unlike the A19) and just about the right price now it's been discontinued.

Have you heard the A19?

You have made some derogatory remarks about the A18 in the past: "The A18 does not represent Arcam's 'finest hour' and is as dynamic as a stunned slug," was one of them.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

I haven't heard the arcam a18 but i do own the a19 with the kef r100s and they sound amazing and even better as they wear in. They have a very open spacious sound and very detailed, the comment about it being made in china doesn't bother me as the build and and sound quality is solid.

Near enough everything you buy these days is made in china the main thing is the sound quality at the end of the day, and i can whole heartedly recommend the arcam and the r100s.

Not every brand produces in China, apart from my Synology NAS ( I don't know where is made, probably China...) i did manadge to buy a Europe MADE system!

If I do mind to buy China made gear...? No i Don't!

BUT I do like the fact that my system is EUROPE MADE by 90% !

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

At least listen to a Rega Brio R, would have no problem matching Kef R100!

I've never heard the Kef R range, but there is a member from this forum, THESTIG, I haven't seen him at this parts for a while now, but he was one of the first to mach a Brio R and Kef R100 and with good results!

http://www.avforums.com/forums/hi-fi-systems-separates/1593541-rega-brio-r-owners-speaker-choices.html

His nick on AVForum is "Leeon" it's not a long thread give it a peek!

Best REGArds

 

[stuartayling]

That thread on that forum was very interesting, obviously he started with the amp and ended with the Kef R100 speakers whereas I'm doing the opposite but it make the Brio R a definite on the demo list. Thanks, Stuart

 

[p_m_brown]

There was someone on here saying that the Arcam A28 is on offer at the moment. I love it with my R100's - very spacious soundstage and an engaging powerful sound.

Demos are very important so get out and take a listen!

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

That thread on that forum was very interesting, obviously he started with the amp and ended with the Kef R100 speakers whereas I'm doing the opposite but it make the Brio R a definite on the demo list. Thanks, Stuart

Thats why i've made a quote from Steve post about his suggestion on the Rega Brio R, I was about to do the same, just felt it wasn't the right time for you to have suggestions as you never had made some demos!

Just clear your mind, start with gear in your price range, and.... Have FUN !!!

 

[stuartayling]

Ok first demo and it was the bargain ARCAM A18 with a digital source coning in vis an arcam rLink compared side by side with my ARCAM Solo Movie with the same digital source coming straight in the ARCAM Solo Movie (it has built in DAC and has 2 optical and 1 digital coax in addition to the normal phono inputs), both running Kef R100s and the Solo Movie won easily. I'd say the A18 had a mac of 80% of the performance of the Solo Movie. Now that was a real shock. Back to the drawing board.

 

[stuartayling]

So would an Arcam A28 or A38 be significantly better than the A18 I demoed with my Kef R100s? Do you think they are worth trying to find on a clearance price?

 

[BigH]

Well I believe the Arcam Solo Movie 2.1 was about £1,500 so not really that surprising. If its better than the A18 I would keep that don't think the A28 will be much better.