There is a real dearth of hifi shops here in France, as compared to the UK (I know) and North America (I think.) In the end, I travelled a couple of hours from here and listened to a series of amps at Hifidylle in 19100 Brive La Gaillarde. I'm one of those people who, at the optician's, says 'the green is clearer than the red' and then repeats that when I can see that the optician has switched the lenses....... Placed on the spot, I'm never sure of what I think!
I feared listening might be a bit like this, but it wasn't, I'm glad to say.
I took a series of discs which, I felt represented something of the range of sounds I listen to: Dowland's lute pieces, Buxtehude organ works, Mahler's 'Veni, Creator Spiritus' from the 8th Symphony, some Charles Ives, Messiaen's 'Turangalila' Symphony and Anna Clyne's 'Blue Moth'
The Cambridge CX81 came first and I was desperately underwhelmed: the sound seemed to me to lack breadth - space and the sense of instruments in the right place - and, most of all, detail.
[I find describing audio really hard, so these comments may not mean much to you!]
The Arcam was next and I am surprised at how much I disliked it: everything felt repackaged and tamed and all the interesting edges and outlying sounds were rounded out.
Next came a Roksan, which the dealer said I had to hear. (I am afraid I hadn't even considered it - from ignorance only) I was (difficulty explaining again!) really blown away by it. I felt that the music had a dynamism and presence and a vitality, without any of the slight lag that I noticed only when remembering and comparing with the Roksan. I was about to go for it, when.....
I was then introduced to Simaudio's Moon 250 After just a few bars of Mahler's 8th, which can sound congested (the popular title 'Symphony of a Thousand' may be inaccurate, but there are times when it sounds like it), I was completely sold on it - or, rather, it was completely sold to me. My words are going to be inadequate - again - but I felt all but surrounded by the music, although the positioning of the Kefs hadn't changed. There was an ease about the sound: the best I can say is that it felt that the Moon could have coped with another orchestra and choir coming in and joining forces (Ives-like!) on stage. Both relaxed and thrilling and, although I cannot justify the feeling, a very clear feeling that the Moon and the Kefs went together perfectly.
I'm not sure how well-known Simaudio's Moon is in the UK, but it's clearly got a good rtecord and press in North America (it's a Canadian brand)
Two aspects of the after-sales reinforced my confidence. If, within the first 12 months of ownership, you wish to 'trade up' for a more extensive model from Moon, then Simaudio will take back your first purchase (as long as you've got the essential original packaging) and credit you the full pruchase price towards the new product. Their products are guaranteed for 5 years, but this is extended to 10 years, simply by registering your purchase within the first month of ownership, which I have done.
I am delighted with my purchase and hope my comments might be helpful to others.
It goes without saying that I would be interested to hear of other people's experiences wth the Kefs and/or the Moon - together or separately.