@richardbrand experience ?… just 2 pair of ESL 63 a coaxial Theil and now an absolutely coherent pair of TAD… and no point source has off axis radiation ?…. and your point is reflected sound is irrelevant ?..,
Incoming - Pair of KEF Reference 1 Meta Speakers
Hi All,
I'm rather new to the Audiogon forum area, so hopefully I'm starting this post correctly. In short - I recently purchased a mint condition pair of pre-owned KEF Reference 1 Meta speakers (with matching stands).
Long and short: Our new home's configuration (and listening room) isn't quite big enough to accommodate my large Audiovector QR-7 SE towers. So sold those and put the funds towards my new KEF's.
My room dimensions are roughly 17' x 13'. The front wall (wall behind where the speakers will go) to my listening chairs is the 13' length. Which allows me roughly 9' or so from the front baffle and where our listening chairs are. That also buffers in 12-15" of room to bring the speakers off the wall. I try to find the sweet spot in terms of bring any speaker off the wall as much as possible while also leaving as much room as possible between it and my listening chairs.
Big decision for going with the KEF's was their friendly on and off axis dispersion. And should be rather full-range in my small to medium size room. This way, things will hopefully sound good for all listening in the room. As we have a lounge sofa and 2 chairs on each side. I have attached pictures of my current setup. I also have a pair of REL T9/X SE subwoofers (via high level connect) but those might be too tricky to integrate well with my new KEF's.
I wanted to get opinions regarding my current electronics/components to gather thoughts on synergies with my incoming KEF's soon to come.
Current components (I stream music only, no vinyl, CDs and such):
Mac Mini M1 (with Audirvana loaded on it - via my Audio Quest Diamond USB cable)-->Bryston BDA-3 DAC (via Kimber Kable Carbon XLRs)-->Musical Fidelity M6 preamp (via Pine Tree audio's Iso-Braid XLR cables) -->Audio by Van Alstine M750 monoblocks and/or McIntosh MC-452 power amplifier (balanced all the way down)...Currently, those are my 2 reference-level amps I plan to keep and experiment with. Of course, I think the MC-452 will look stunning sitting between the new KEF's..Something tells me either amp pair will sound great.
Given the fact both of my amps are powerful (and I know KEF like's power for optimal everything/dynamics, etc..) I'm thinking my M6 preamp (powerful solid state) should drive things well. Especially in terms of fast dynamics and all, of which i knew these KEF speakers are known well for.
However, I have also heard the Bel Canto PRE-5 preamp is a wonderful match with the KEFs.
I'm currently exploring potential other line-level preamps as preamps with a ton of inputs/output options isn't necessary for how I listen/use them.
I welcome other line level/solid state and/or potential tube recommendations even (??) as far as a new/potential preamp goes. I would prefer to not break the bank and keep budget within the $2,500 range (new and/or pre-owned market). I've learned in this hobby most things can get you "95%" or so there without spending an entire fortune.
Likewise, I welcome other general recommendations folks might have.
Also to note, I do have a dedicated 20AMP circuit (and corresponding 20AMP outlets) ran off my main electrical panel for stereo stuff only. I use a Pangea power conditioner of which I plug it (directly into the wall) and then my preamp and Mac Mini into the Pangea. Likewise, I plug my PS Audio Ultimate outlet conditioner into the Pangea and then my DAC into the PS Audio outlet (for the digital audio/DAC).
Lastly, most all my power cords are also from Pine Tree Audio. I plug my power amps directly into their own dedicated 20AMP wall outlet.
Summary: Trying to optimize where I can in effort to bring the best out of my incoming KEF speakers, etc..For someone like myself, they were quite the investment - even a pre-owned pair.
Thanks!
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- 29 posts total
@jdavis8510 Congratulations on the system and welcome to A’gon A couple of things I have learned that led me to be very happy with all 3 of my systems. - If your speakers need power (like KEFs) give them a lot of power. I like Class A power the best. - If your source is weak, you are not going to improve the sound downstream. Not saying you cannot warm up a bright source but that is adding lipstick to a pig and not what I am referring to. Do not use the bad source in the first place. - OTL/OCL designs are my favorite because they are super detailed and holographic. I am not a big tube fan but if it has OTL/OCL I am interested. I have heard DACs and preamps with this design, and both are outstanding - GIK is a good source, and I worked with them for a difficult room. Another software option, especially if you use ROON is Digital Room Calibration Services, Convolver, Headphone Filtersets I used to say ditch the computer and get a fibre optic streamer. However, my experience with the latest Schiit DACs lead me to believe that using a computer is not the cardinal audio sin I used to think it was. A streamer is better, but I think your DAC is the weak link. So, my suggestion to you since you have an amp that works for you is to improve your source, the DAC. In my office setup I am using the $3500 Schitt Byggy DAC with the $500 Schiit Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL preamp with the Forkbeard app. This would be a huge upgrade over the Bryston DAC. The Byggy is now my 3rd fav DAC, and I have recently heard many DACs all the way up to $26k (such as the PlayBack Designs MPD-8). The Byggy will be available soon in the used market for around $2700. The Forkbeard app allows me to change the volume on the DAC using an iPhone or Android. The Valhalla 3 does not have a remote. I could get a more practical preamp like the Benchmark LA4 to go with the Byggy but the Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL sounds better. The LA4 has no sound and is also great. My favorite DACs 1) imersiv D-1 2) Allnic D-15000 Signature OTL/OCL (new Allnic ASRA DAC at $10k is supposed to be similar) 3) Schiit Singular (Byggy)
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A true point source would have 360-degree radiation in all directions. I believe that the ear / brain system quite quickly learns how to integrate coherent reflections into an illusion of a large soundstage given suitable source material. Did you ever stack your two pairs of ESL-63s? |
- 29 posts total

