Kef LS50 with Rega brio r

[ChrisIRL]

Hi, has anyone heard the above combo and how did you find the sound?

I'm currently using an Arcam A19 to power my LS50s and I'm finding the sound a little bit too refined (read lacking excitement). The A19 certainly has plenty of power to drive the LS50s, the refined sound I'm hearing is more due to the A19's characteristics. I previously paired it with B&W 685 S2 and found the same. I don't feel it has anything to do with the Kefs being hard to drive, a topic that has been greatly exaggerated in my opinion. As I say the A19 is plenty powerful enough.

I am not looking for an upgrade as such just a slightly different sound. The Rega Brio r is descibed as being a musical and agile amp. This could better describe the sound I'm looking for or perhaps the Brio/LS50 combo is poor in reality?

Any thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

 

[CnoEvil]

I think you should be looking in the direction of the Creek Evolution 50A

 

[iceman16]

Hi Chris

Yes I heard them both (Arcam A19 and Rega Brio-r) and I did like the presentation of the Brio-R and went for it. The A19 is very good but too refined, mellow and smooth for my taste when coupled with the LS50. The Brio-r seems more "fast and energetic" with plenty of detail but not bright or clinical.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Thanks, this did cross my mind but I could probably swap out the A19 with a Brio r at no extra cost. The Creek does get very good feedback.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Hi Chris

Yes I heard them both (Arcam A19 and Rega Brio-r) and I did like the presentation of the Brio-R and went for it. The A19 is very good but too refined, mellow and smooth for my taste when coupled with the LS50. The Brio-r seems more "fast and energetic" with plenty of detail but not bright or clinical.

That certainly sounds more like what I'm looking for thanks. The whathifi review does mention that the sound of the A19 is more open with a noticeably wider soundstage. Did you find this to be the case? The reviewer also feels the A19 displays extra layers of detail vs the Brio-r. Then there is the Brio-r hum/hiss issues I'm reading about! Whatever about the A19 being refined it is an extremely silent amp. I don't hear any hiss from my speakers unless the volume is up to 90+ (not playing music of course!)

Cheers.

 

[unsleepable]

I also auditioned the Brio-R with the LS50, and in my opinion the A19 is much more detailed and produces a a better soundstage. I have to say that I didn't like the Brio-R much.

The A19 is a great amplifier but I find the midrange a tad recessed, that's why I upgraded to a P38. I went for a power amp because I'm looking to replace the A19 and the irDac by a DAC with preamp, but an A38 could also be an option for you.

Apart from the A38, I second the opinion of looking at Creek. The 50A is weaker in the bass department than the A19, so if that's important for you I'd check the previous Evolution 2 model.

 

[drummerman]

Good detail, solid (full) sounding, refined, fast and energetic ... Cyrus 8 series

regards

 

[Vladimir]

Good detail, solid (full) sounding, refined, fast and energetic ... Cyrus 8 series

regards

Hey Dm, just currious if you have info which transistors is Cyrus using in their new amps. Thx.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Good detail, solid (full) sounding, refined, fast and energetic ... Cyrus 8 series

regards

Having previously enjoyed a demo of a Cyrus 6a I have no doubt the 8 series is great, but way over budget unfortunately. I'm pretty much looking to straight swap the A19 for the Brio-r provided it sounds a bit more lively and doesn't lack many of the A19s positive aspects.

Actually drummerman you posted about the current output of several amps previously. Can you recall the Brio-r amperage vs the A19 please? Is it related to the size of the toroidal transformer? The A19s is douple that of the Brio-r I think you were saying? While I feel the power required to drive the LS50s is exaggerated many have said it is about the current output, not the Wattage of the amp.

Thanks.

 

[ChrisIRL]

I also auditioned the Brio-R with the LS50, and in my opinion the A19 is much more detailed and produces a a better soundstage. I have to say that I didn't like the Brio-R much.

The A19 is a great amplifier but I find the midrange a tad recessed, that's why I upgraded to a P38. I went for a power amp because I'm looking to replace the A19 and the irDac by a DAC with preamp, but an A38 could also be an option for you.

Apart from the A38, I second the opinion of looking at Creek. The 50A is weaker in the bass department than the A19, so if that's important for you I'd check the previous Evolution 2 model.

thanks for feedback. What about the Brio-r did you not like with the Kefs?

 

[BigH]

I agree about the Arcam A19 being refined, I would also recommend the Creek 50A, best amp. I heard in that price range.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Plenty of votes for the creek but not on my budget radar right now. Think I'll demo the Brio-r later in the week. Listening to my system right now and I must admit I'm 99% loving the A19/ Kef LS50 combo so unless the Brio-r makes things more energetic without losing what I like about my current system I might just leave well enough alone. Thanks all for replies.

 

[unsleepable]

thanks for feedback. What about the Brio-r did you not like with the Kefs?

When I set out to buy a new amplifier, I had a clear idea in my mind of the type of sound I was looking for. Among other things, detailed and involving—as in physically involving sound. And when I auditioned the Brio-R with the LS50, I thought that the level of detail and the soundstage it provided was easily surpassed by other amplifiers.

I didn't compare the Brio-R with amplifiers costing the same, though. I think it's the cheapest one I auditioned. I also settled for the A19 even though I had budget for a more expensive one.

 

[ChrisIRL]

For 18 months I have matched LS50's with a Rega Brio-R. I loved the result, but I started wondering if perhaps there was a little more power driving the speakers... The new Rega Elex-R seemed to provided just that, without the much greater financial cost of the Elicit-R - So I traded in the Brior's R for the Elex-R. After more than a month of use, they have delivered exactly what I was looking for. All gains, no losses. And like the Brio-R, the Elex-R benefits from replacing the standard power lead and remote with the same Rega Reference Power lead and Solaris remote.

If I could get at least 18 months of enjoyment from the Brio-r / Kef LS50 combo without feeling a need to upgrade I'd be happy with that 🙂

 

[antskip]

I haven't heard the Aircam A19, but have enjoyed the Rega Brio-R with the LS50's this past 18 months. However, 6 weeks ago I replaced the Brio-R with its new "full-size" sibling, the Elex-R. It is double the price but does provide much greater refinement and range without the much higher cost of the higher end Rega, the Elicit-R.

 

[ChrisIRL]

thanks for feedback. What about the Brio-r did you not like with the Kefs?

When I set out to buy a new amplifier, I had a clear idea in my mind of the type of sound I was looking for. Among other things, detailed and involving—as in physically involving sound. And when I auditioned the Brio-R with the LS50, I thought that the level of detail and the soundstage it provided was easily surpassed by other amplifiers.

I didn't compare the Brio-R with amplifiers costing the same, though. I think it's the cheapest one I auditioned. I also settled for the A19 even though I had budget for a more expensive one.

I don't think I could accept losing the A19s very impressive soundstage which I feel might happen with the Brio-r. Perhaps the demo will remind just how good the A19 truly is.

 

[unsleepable]

I don't think I could accept losing the A19s very impressive soundstage which I feel might happen with the Brio-r. Perhaps the demo will remind just how good the A19 truly is.

I think that may very well be the case.

I share your feeling about the refinement of the A19, though. But even though I also auditioned Creek, I still preferred the A19. In order to improve the sound without losing any of its qualities, I simply had to move up the ladder. I didn't think that anything in its price range or near was better.

 

[ChrisIRL]

I'm listening to my system now trying to put my finger on exactly what I think is holding back the "excitement" factor. I feel it is mainly drums that are lacking. Beats aren't quite fast enough and the bass drum in particular is slightly recessed and not well defined. Would this be a slowness of attack? Is this what could be described as slow transients? Most everything else sounds perfect to me. This was also the problem with the 685 S2s so I don't think it can be attributed to the LS50s. Best drums I heard from any amp I listened to was from a NAD D 3020. Didn't match the A19 in any other aspect however.

 

[unhalfbricking]

I'm listening to my system now trying to put my finger on exactly what I think is holding back the "excitement" factor. I feel it is mainly drums that are lacking. Beats aren't quite fast enough and the bass drum in particular is slightly recessed and not well defined. Would this be a slowness of attack? Is this what could be described as slow transients? Most everything else sounds perfect to me. This was also the problem with the 685 S2s so I don't think it can be attributed to the LS50s. Best drums I heard from any amp I listened to was from a NAD D 3020. Didn't match the A19 in any other aspect however.

Chris, I would agree with your comment about the bass comparison with NAD. My current amp is the Arcam A18, but previous to that I ran a NAD 316 through the same speakers (KEF Q-300). The Arcam aces the NAD in almost every respect, but the NAD had a punchier, firmer and more satisfying bass. The bass from the Arcam has great scale and depth, but is softer in comparison with the NAD and lacks precision (as you say, lacking definition). If I was a bass guitar player trying to work out basslines from listening to my system I would find it quite frustrating -- the bass is all there in scale and quantity, but is slightly wooly and curiously unmusical. I still love the Arcam. Despite its 'bass problem' it has many great qualities.

 

[matthewpiano]

Try to hear an Exposure 1010. More of a middle ground between the Rega and Arcam. Its a superb amp and strikes a great balance.

 

[drummerman]

Good detail, solid (full) sounding, refined, fast and energetic ... Cyrus 8 series

regards

Hey Dm, just currious if you have info which transistors is Cyrus using in their new amps. Thx.

Without opening again ... no sorry.

regards

 

[unsleepable]

Chris, I would agree with your comment about the bass comparison with NAD. My current amp is the Arcam A18, but previous to that I ran a NAD 316 through the same speakers (KEF Q-300). The Arcam aces the NAD in almost every respect, but the NAD had a punchier, firmer and more satisfying bass. The bass from the Arcam has great scale and depth, but is softer in comparison with the NAD and lacks precision (as you say, lacking definition). If I was a bass guitar player trying to work out basslines from listening to my system I would find it quite frustrating -- the bass is all there in scale and quantity, but is slightly wooly and curiously unmusical. I still love the Arcam. Despite its 'bass problem' it has many great qualities.

I find that the A19 produces tighter bass than previous Arcam models—even compared to my current P38.

 

[Jota180]

The drums thing is exactly what I experience. The drum hits do not sound real, they sound like the drum skin is made from the same material as the KEF driver and it's like that on most of my music collection. It sounds like a toy drum set is being used.

On just about everything else these speakers are outstanding, but the drum thing is very noticable.

That's probably my biggest disappointment with these speakers and I'm swithering about trying a more powerful amp with a view to changing the speakers if that doesn't 'cure' it.

 

[Jota180]

In an email reply to a question I had about amp power, a KEF employee told me my NAP100 (50w per channel) amp would be fine in a smaller room at low to medium listening levels. However, if I wanted to play at louder levels or had a bigger room I'd need more power.

To quote him exactly..."The Naim amp you have will be fine for the LS50’s in a small to mid-sized room at decent, but not overly loud volumes. It’s a bit on the low side of the middle of the spec, if that makes any sense."

Now my room isn't huge and I sit about 8 feet from the speakers and don't play them past 30 for loud CD's and 40 for quiet ones. (Unitiqute 2 volume is a digital number)

Basically you need something 100 watts or higher to get the maximum out of these speakers.

 

[MickyBlue]

the brio-r is a cracking little amp but is more suited to the r100's than the ls50's, you need to be looking at creek,leema,naim xs etc to get anywhere near the ls50's potential.