What is a good warm sounding amp with smooth highes for the Kef R500 for older Rock music? Secondhand i can buy a MF M6i for 1500 euro (6 month old) Also a Pathos classic one mkIII for 1000,-- euro. Or a new Hegel H80 for 1500,-- Euro.
Searching for a good amp for the Kef R500
- Thread starter obiwan kenobi
- Start date
id go for the Hegel H80, although id save for the H160 instead - then you never need to worry about amps again.
then you can also upgrade to reference series and have enough juice to get the best out of them
BTW im buying a H160 for my kef r700s and ill be collecting in about 3 - 4 weeks
then you can also upgrade to reference series and have enough juice to get the best out of them
BTW im buying a H160 for my kef r700s and ill be collecting in about 3 - 4 weeks
Frank Harvey
Well-known member
i can't imagine you'd get anything much warmer than a Pathos - unless you can pick up a used Sugden A21/A21SE. And if you want smooth, look at Van Den Hul cables.obiwan kenobi said:
I just read a review from the Pathos. They tested with a song of Nightwish. Not so good. Their conclusion; The Pathos is a amp for good recordings.
MF M6i
Hegel H80
Denon?
By the way; interconnect i was looking at a Monster M1000i. Van den Hul better?
MF M6i
Hegel H80
Denon?
By the way; interconnect i was looking at a Monster M1000i. Van den Hul better?
Frank Harvey
Well-known member
Dont know about better, but Van Den Hul cables tend to be quite smooth and laid back. Thought it might suit your preference.obiwan kenobi said:
Frank Harvey
Well-known member
Sorry, no. Although Monster would be one of the last manufacturers I'd buy cables from, based on their sales "tactics" employed in department stores.
MUSICRAFT
Well-known member
Hi o k
I would also look at using a basic interconnect. Fwiw, these are the cables we use with the H80 and H160.
All the best
Rick @ Musicraft
I would also look at using a basic interconnect. Fwiw, these are the cables we use with the H80 and H160.
All the best
Rick @ Musicraft
I can buy the MF M6i, old modell but new, for 1500,-- Euro. Seems the most interesting amp for me. And i will listen to the Exposure 2010S2D. But don't know the match with Kef R500.
record_spot
Well-known member
I hear good things of Unison amps. Just ensure there is ample power for the speakers, good damping factor and you're good to go.
toyota man said:
Not too soft bass and boring sound? I like a warmer sound and with my metal music laid back highes. But i read elewhere the MF gives too much, slow and soft bass?
The Hegel H80 must indeed very good, but i read on the bright side. Not good for me.
I read also good things about Exposure 3010S2, but i think it is also on the bright side.
If you're after warmer amps, maybe consider:
Arcam A39
Marantz PM8005 (although this is significantly cheaper than the others here, I think there are forum members who have this combo and rate it highly)
Peachtree Nova 220SE (has switchable tube pre-amp that could increase the warmth if it's not enough for you with certain music. Also includes a DAC and is very powerful. An excellent value bit of kit IMO).
As always, demo demo demo before purchasing. In the case of the Peachtree this might mean travelling some distance, but surely £50 on fuel is worth it when you're making that sort of investment.
Certainly my experience of the Hegel was that is was quite forward and clinical, so might not suit what you're looking for. Have you actually bought the KEFs yet?
Rather than limiting yourself to one pair of speakers, it might be more productive if you just try a handful of dealers near you, explain the sound you're looking for and the music you listen to (take your music with you) and let them come up with some suggested combinations. They may come up with options you may never have considered that meet your needs spot-on.
Arcam A39
Marantz PM8005 (although this is significantly cheaper than the others here, I think there are forum members who have this combo and rate it highly)
Peachtree Nova 220SE (has switchable tube pre-amp that could increase the warmth if it's not enough for you with certain music. Also includes a DAC and is very powerful. An excellent value bit of kit IMO).
As always, demo demo demo before purchasing. In the case of the Peachtree this might mean travelling some distance, but surely £50 on fuel is worth it when you're making that sort of investment.
Certainly my experience of the Hegel was that is was quite forward and clinical, so might not suit what you're looking for. Have you actually bought the KEFs yet?
Rather than limiting yourself to one pair of speakers, it might be more productive if you just try a handful of dealers near you, explain the sound you're looking for and the music you listen to (take your music with you) and let them come up with some suggested combinations. They may come up with options you may never have considered that meet your needs spot-on.
I will go listen to the new Exposure 2010S2D. It has 75W. Must be enough for the Kef R500? This amp has the name it is perfect suitable for rockmusic.
SteveR750
Well-known member
I auditioned the MF M6i (also primarily for rock / blues music) and concluded it wasn't very exciting to listen to. Just sounded a bit soft and ponderous to me in comparison to the ATC SIA250 I heard at the same demo. i thought the H160 was a step above both. One man's forward and clinical is another man's detail and insight. One thing you do need for rock music is sufficient power, as you know it's not a genre to be listened to quietly in the background.
Covenanter
Well-known member
MickyBlue
Well-known member
Not forgeting Leema, i paid £1200 for my amp and its not going anywhere, solid and superb! partners beautifully with kef imo....
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