Power amplifier for kef ls50s

[msboon]

I was wondering whether anyone has any suggestions for good power amps to match the LS50s. I already own the LS50s but as I am only likely to be using digital sources (sonos and possibly mac) from now on I was thinking of building a system around a dac/preamp running into a power amp.

Previously I've used a MF M3i to drive the LS50s and liked the sound. The consensus seems to be that the Ls50s need a powerful amp and a lot of the power amps in my budget range up to £1000ish seem to be around 50w p/c. I wasn't sure if that would be sufficient to drive the Ls50s.

Any suggestions would be appreciated although obviously I'd want to audition once I have a short list.

Mike

 

[Big Chris]

There's a used Quad 909 on eBay at the mo', might be worth keeping an eye on.

 

[msboon]

Sorry to resurrect this post but since my original post above I've been thinking about the NAIM DAC V1 paired with the NAIM NAP 100 power amp.

My question is would the NAP 100 (50 watts) be powerful enough to drive my LS50s?

Grateful for any thoughts.

My room is about 6m x 3m but my listening "area" is about 3m x 3m at one end of the room.

Mike

 

[davedotco]

Powerful amplifiers at this sort of money are quite rare. Roksan Kandy maybe, but then I am no fan of the integrated so probable would not work for me.

The Naim is probably fine, up to a point, only you really know if you would be asking more than it can give.

I would be tempted and dig a little deeper and try a pair of PMC DS-001 monoblocks. Only just over £1200 and a hefty 200wpc of real power, Class D though, depends how you feel about that.

 

[wilro15]

The Leema Elements power amp is decent. It outputs 56W into 8 ohms, 110 into 4. So eventhough you might read that as "only 56W" it actually has a lot of grunt in reserve.

 

[msboon]

Looking at the specs of the NAP 100 it is 50w into 8 ohms and 75w into 4 ohms.

I suppose I am attracted to the ideal of pairing the dac v1 and nap 100 given the similar sizing and aesthetic match - they were obviously designed to be paired together. Just a question of whether it is powerful enough for the ls50s.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

How about a Cyrus X-Power? 70wpc, which can be increased to 120wpc with a PSX-R.

 

[nima]

Looking at the specs of the NAP 100 it is 50w into 8 ohms and 75w into 4 ohms.

I suppose I am attracted to the ideal of pairing the dac v1 and nap 100 given the similar sizing and aesthetic match - they were obviously designed to be paired together. Just a question of whether it is powerful enough for the ls50s.

Since it can drive Quad ESL... But it sure can't be much trouble getting a demo.

 

[msboon]

Looking at the specs of the NAP 100 it is 50w into 8 ohms and 75w into 4 ohms.

I suppose I am attracted to the ideal of pairing the dac v1 and nap 100 given the similar sizing and aesthetic match - they were obviously designed to be paired together. Just a question of whether it is powerful enough for the ls50s.

Since it can drive Quad ESL... But it sure can't be much trouble getting a demo.

sorry you've lost me. Who said it can drive Quad SELs?

 

[MickyBlue]

The Leema Elements power amp is decent. It outputs 56W into 8 ohms, 110 into 4. So eventhough you might read that as "only 56W" it actually has a lot of grunt in reserve.

indeed, its not all about watts you know.. 😉