What Amp for KEF LS-50s

[adosero]

Hi Everyone,

I read almost all related topics on this forum and now I have a shortlist of amps for my KEF LS-50s. I can find them second hand but in very good condition:

-A two year old Nait XS around 1,000 euros,

-Pioneer A-70 around 750 euros (w/internal DAC)

-Nait 5i-2 around 550 euros.

I didn't have any chance to listen to them because it's really hard to find a store here where I am. Do you think I should pay a premium for XS or other two amps are will be more than sufficient for my ears in my small flat (25 sqm). I listen mostly jazz, soul and r&b type music.

Thank you very much for your answers and excuse me for my english as Im not native

Best

 

[BigH]

Have you heard Naim amps before? Some love them and some don't, so I think you need to hear them first.

 

[adosero]

I really want to hear them first but I dont know how since I will command them online, the stores in my city dont have any Naims.

 

[Replicant666]

David at Frank Harvey recommended the Pioneer A50 to me and Im very happy with the result for a relatively low price the results are superb on a wide range of music, apparently KEF use one of the high end Arcams to demo the LS50s so depending on your budget you may want to add that into your mix

 

[adosero]

Thanks Replicant. A-50's brand new price is 680 euros, a-70 for 730 euros would maybe the way to go.. :?

 

[CnoEvil]

What about the Harman Hardon HK 990?

 

[adosero]

It's way more expensive than other three amps.

 

[CnoEvil]

It's way more expensive than other three amps.

IIRC it used to sell here at around your budget.....though it may no longer be available at the cheaper price.

 

[Native_bon]

Why are more 2 channel amps not designed like the Harman Hardon HK 990?...

 

[drummerman]

The Naim XS is a lovely amplifier

Regards

 

[Replicant666]

Far bigger price difference in the UK, if it had been that close then Id have grabbed the A70 like a shot , if you can buy from somewhere that offers a return policy I think you wont be disappointed. I only had chance to compare it to the similar Rotel but I much preferred the Pioneer

 

[moriarty]

I drive my LS50s with a Naim Nait XS with VERY pleasing results!

It's front-ended by an LP12 (mostly) or FLAC & digital radio streamed via a Squeezebox touch.

I've been really pleased with the combination; incredibly detailed & very easy on the ear.

 

[moriarty]

I drive my LS50s with a Naim Nait XS with VERY pleasing results!

It's front-ended by an LP12 (mostly) or FLAC & digital radio streamed via a Squeezebox touch.

I've been really pleased with the combination; incredibly detailed & very easy on the ear.

 

[adosero]

Im sure I wıll get the best results with Nait XS. However if I go with the XS, I will have to buy a dac as well (at least 300 euros?) and the total cost will be twice as the Pio a70. I konw this is a rather expensive pleasure but I still try to optimize the value for bang :roll:

 

[adosero]

I had chance to listen Roksan Kandy K2 with some BW speakers today and I really liked the sound. They are selling brand new Roksan for 900 euros. what do you think guys, a brand new Roksan Kandy or a 2 year old XS for almost same price (900Eur vs 1.000Eur)?

 

[drummerman]

Im sure I wıll get the best results with Nait XS. However if I go with the XS, I will have to buy a dac as well (at least 300 euros?) and the total cost will be twice as the Pio a70. I konw this is a rather expensive pleasure but I still try to optimize the value for bang :roll:

The residual value of the XS will probably be much higher two or three years down the line so if you want to change amplifiers you should get back most of what you paid.

Then there's pride of ownership ... I know some laugh about that but this whole hifi business consists of more than 'just' the music. As it happens, the XS excells there too.

Wherea's the 5 series has always been regarded as an entry product, albeith a fairly expensive one, the XS stands proud as a product which may be all anyone wants if you dont need headbanging volume, though it gets fairly close to that too. I can't speak about the new 5. It may have closed the gap somewhat but the difference was fairly profound before, even though the power rating didn't exactly make that clear with only a few watts more on paper.

Or you could go with one of the new cyrus integrateds. Hifi World had a shootout with some big names, amongst them Moon, Audio Analogue, Icon, Electrocompaniet, Pathos and a couple of others I can't remember. Cyrus's 8 series integrated was called best in test. - I know that may not mean much but it also measured superbly with good power supply regulation and very low distortion. The reviewers of that magazine usually favour valves. Just shows that not all cyrus products sound bright and harsh ...

regards

 

[adosero]

thank you drummerman.

 

[adosero]

Just bought the Pio A70 and I think not bad at all

However I was wondering if oneyone uses this amphi with an external dac? Do you think we can improve the result (especially for a warmer sound) with a relatively good dac (Nuforce d-80 or a teac 501)?

Thanks for your advices.

 

[MickyBlue]

I have had extensive demo's with the LS50's and my favorite was the leema elements integrated amp, a smoother more controled sound with tight punchy bass and drives the ls50's with ease.

naim xs was excellent and drove the ls50's very well, but i found it too clinical for my taste.

Heed was not up to the task, very nice at low volume but couldnt control the bass when pushed, and sounded bloated.

Rega brio-r was also nice at low volumes but the ls50's require a more substantial amp to drive them correctly.

I have heard the pioneer was good with the kef's but hav'nt had chance to listen to them with it.

external dacs to consider would be;

Naim V1

Leema Dac

Chordette QuteHD & EX

This is my next dilema...

 

[paulhh1967]

Just bought the Pio A70 and I think not bad at all

However I was wondering if oneyone uses this amphi with an external dac? Do you think we can improve the result (especially for a warmer sound) with a relatively good dac (Nuforce d-80 or a teac 501)?

Thanks for your advices.

Great choice :cheer:

I have also choosen for the A70 above the A50 a few weeks ago. The A70 is much better (sweeter sound, more in balance) than the A50, it sounds also more powerfull...more lively.

I bought a good pair of speakercables and analog interconect for cd player (PD50): Oasis 6 speakercable and an Equinox 7 interlink....both from Wireworld.

The sound is amazing with the LS50's, better than with the Yamaha A-S700 i had before. Sound is extreme open (spacious), lots of detail in a balanced sound from top to bottom......yeh i'm very pleased :dance:

I have also tried a digital connection between player and amp (so using the internal dac of the A70), maybe strange but the analog connection "using the PD50 dac" sounds better (more into the music).

Paul

 

[paulhh1967]

Just bought the Pio A70 and I think not bad at all

However I was wondering if oneyone uses this amphi with an external dac? Do you think we can improve the result (especially for a warmer sound) with a relatively good dac (Nuforce d-80 or a teac 501)?

Thanks for your advices.

Great choice :cheer:

I have also choosen for the A70 above the A50 a few weeks ago. The A70 is much better (sweeter sound, more in balance) than the A50, it sounds also more powerfull...more lively.

I bought a good pair of speakercables and analog interconect for cd player (PD50): Oasis 6 speakercable and an Equinox 7 interlink....both from Wireworld.

The sound is amazing with the LS50's, better than with the Yamaha A-S700 i had before. Sound is extreme open (spacious), lots of detail in a balanced sound from top to bottom......yeh i'm very pleased :dance:

I have also tried a digital connection between player and amp (so using the internal dac of the A70), maybe strange but the analog connection "using the PD50 dac" sounds better (more into the music).

Paul

 

[wilro15]

I've also got a Leema Elements Integrated + DAC to go with my LS50s. I demoed the Leema, Audiolab MDAC+MPWR and NAD 356BEE DAC (an amp + dac solution was what I was after). The Audiolab was VERY bright, far too much treble and was hurting my ears a bit. I tried different filter settings but none seemed to make any difference. The NAD was LOUD, bass heavy, a great party amplifier but it lost loads of detail.

The Leema I found a nicely balanaced sound, not too much of anything. A very clean and solid sound, detail is there but is not over the top (analytical).

Wondering myself what the next ugprade step would be, if any...

 

[adosero]

Thank you very much for your reponses. I absolutely agree that Pioneer A70 drives Kefs really well and gives a very clear sound but I think that my system still needs a bit of analog touch . That's why Im considering to add an external dac.

What do you thnin about nuforce and teac dacs. I can order these dacs at my local store (cant listen tho) thats why Im insisting on these ones

 

[bigzooks]

I tried mine with many combos of my vintage receiver/amp collection and was running out of patience until I hooked it up to my recently refurbed Rotel RX1203 which really made these speakers sing like nothing else I've heard .

I've really struggled the past few years to find speakers to match all my old stuff but now my quest is over, 120

wpc of vintage goodness ,sublime especially on the old jazz,funk,soul vinyl.

 

[paulhh1967]

Van den Hul interconnect with carbon (the First "ultimate", the Second or the Third) will give you also a more analog touch. You could also try that.