Amps for KEF Blade 2

Wow, thanks for taking the time to answer. The T&A HV amp is within reach and looks good, but the HV pre is tough to justify at +$30k for a blue collar guy like me.

My only Krell was the kav 300il and while it's not the same level as the xd stuff it was the only piece that could tame my old kef R105\3's so I'm not surprised you like them. My problem with krell was the 575 monoblocks I heard in a fellow audiophile's home driving the salon 2's and the pairing was rough. The H590 is close but i'm starting to notice some midrange congestion I hadn't previously on some recordings, I also recently joined qubuz so it's possible the difference is im the recordings, that I can work out myself. Hegel finally updated the H30 with the H30I if I can find 1, that still leaves me shopping a dac preamp. 

Thank you for your patient reply, I'm leaning towards the T&A if I can get a decent price.

There is a Hegel H30 on USAM for $6K. I was under the impression that the upgrade to the H30I was due to part not being available to make more H30's.

I just found out that the KRELL KSA i400 was shipped out today, $36.5K

Looks like someone demoed Kef Blade 2's with the new Hegel A30 in Munich. I was not there but read the the H30A is really good, better than the H590 and should be able to drive anything. The cost of course doubles if you're gonna use it in a mono configuration. 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/hegel-reference-h30a-reference-power-amplifier-p30a-preamplifier-kef-reference-5-meta

Since the blades tend towards a lifeless sound I think an amp with some life, like maybe a tube amp would do them some justice.  I had the blade 2s with the Theta Prometheus for a few years and I'm sure this contributes to my opinion of the speakers being lifeless.  I don't think the Prometheus is a lifeless sounding amp, especially for class D but with a speaker like Kef that leans towards a lifeless and dull sound you get a bad combo.  I bet a Pass amp might sounds good.  Personally I would just avoid the blade altogether, I think personally there are much better speakers for way less money and the Blade is a cheaply made speaker too, mine developed a rattle inside and just touching the cheap plastic base makes you wonder how they justify the price.  Very very cheap and light when you consider the price.  

The fact tact that it does not weigh much is really a feature and not a bug. Ever see the demo with the quarter on edge on top of the Blade while some hard rock is played through them. That is some space age engineering. The Blade does not need concrete like weight to be stable.

Interesting that you thought it was lifeless. For me it produces the most realistic sound, especially for live performances. The sense of being in the audience is unparalleled with anything I have heard, even at 10x the price.

Good thing there are so many different speaker choices for everyone.