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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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? |
+1 @deep_333 You can absolutely fit a floorstander in a room that size. If you take care of the room properly. |
Ditch the Mac mini buy these two things and get a decent short rj45 like the furutech NCF lan-8 ipolex Gigabit Single-Mode LC... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P4YX697?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share likely you have a lot of electrical hash (there’s always hash even if you have fiber internet. The router/modem introduce a ton) and unless you have a streamer with really good filtering you’ll just be comparing trash to trash. Even with good filtering this optical isolation does a ton for a system. I’ve made many gains in my system that sometimes i forget the goods the piece is bringing till I do a/b comparison but with this optical isolation and Furutech lan cable I notice every time how much better and cleaner my system sounds and in a natural way Ive Had two pair of reference 1 meta. They’re a decent speaker but they don’t give off a soundstage like a good tower speaker does. It still sounds very much like a bookshelf. Performance wise it’s good medium tier. Never really enjoyed their matte texture on sound and my modded magnepans (which beat everything in detail and transparency) were a step or two above them. Wasn’t till I got my blade one metas that I set the Maggie’s aside for a while. Sold the blades 😢 but will never tire of the transparency and flow the Maggie’s bring. There are other speakers I’ve heard that do their own things that I still love listening to however. Maggie’s don’t have the texture and uber detail some box speakers can have. |
