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Home Theater => Audio => Amplifier => Topic started by: newbie pa rin on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:45 AM

Title: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: newbie pa rin on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:45 AM
What's a good amp to pair for the KEF LS50?
Have a pair for almost a year paired with HK stereo amp.
I feel I am missing a lot if I based what I hear from what I read on reviews regarding this speaker.
Changing amp might do the trick or not.
TIA
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Audionuts on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:17 PM
Marantz PM6006 or Cambridge CXA60
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: luis on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:21 PM
musical fidelity

 ;D
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: elim on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:31 PM
shameless plug.... emotiva! bang for buck.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: musika on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:49 PM
Sim Audio
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: sgxp on Oct 25, 2017 at 04:49 PM
Upgrade to the wireless LS50.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: markcrenz on Oct 25, 2017 at 06:09 PM
Have you tried tweaking the speaker/listener locations, distance from walls, height, toe-in angle, room treatment? I believe those are more worthwhile than an amp "upgrade." And even with a "better" amp you still have to optimize those.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: newbie pa rin on Oct 25, 2017 at 06:32 PM
Too expensive sir at almost $2200 plus tax and shipping.
Upgrade to the wireless LS50.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: newbie pa rin on Oct 25, 2017 at 06:33 PM
Any known seller for the 2 amps you mentioned?

Marantz PM6006 or Cambridge CXA60
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: newbie pa rin on Oct 25, 2017 at 06:36 PM
Sir hindi ba power amp lang emotiva? Any idea for how much for 2 channels?

shameless plug.... emotiva! bang for buck.

Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Conan on Oct 25, 2017 at 06:48 PM
Any known seller for the 2 amps you mentioned?

Watts Hifi in Makati Cinema Square carry both.

Your current amp is a Harmon Kardon? I would imagine that the sound from this would be quite warm. The Marantz and Cambridge amp would have a more detailed sound with your LS 50. The Cambridge has a bit more power than the Marantz.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Courage on Oct 26, 2017 at 09:51 AM
Rega ELEX-R
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: alvinbaronsia on Oct 26, 2017 at 10:50 AM
What's your budget and what kind of music are you into?
The lowest priced amp that sounds really good with LS50 is Rotel RA10. Best amp I've heard with it so far is the Schiit Ragnarok.
IMO, regarding reviews saying how good it is, you'll need a really expensive amp to maximize it's potential; are you ready to spend more than 2x the cost of the LS50?
Re: LS50 wireless, don't look at Amazon prices. Get it at DCM. They're a lot cheaper. And at the price, it's well worth it, and no need to keep looking for an amp. you have a class D 200w dedicated to the woofer, and a 30w class AB amp for highs.; and this is for each speaker.  And you have your streamer built in. Compared to 2 Phantom Silvers, I prefer LS50w; can't touch the bass output of the phantoms but better balanced and detailed IMO.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Conan on Oct 26, 2017 at 11:27 AM
What's your budget and what kind of music are you into?
The lowest priced amp that sounds really good with LS50 is Rotel RA10. Best amp I've heard with it so far is the Schiit Ragnarok.
IMO, regarding reviews saying how good it is, you'll need a really expensive amp to maximize it's potential; are you ready to spend more than 2x the cost of the LS50?
Re: LS50 wireless, don't look at Amazon prices. Get it at DCM. They're a lot cheaper. And at the price, it's well worth it, and no need to keep looking for an amp. you have a class D 200w dedicated to the woofer, and a 30w class AB amp for highs.; and this is for each speaker.  And you have your streamer built in. Compared to 2 Phantom Silvers, I prefer LS50w; can't touch the bass output of the phantoms but better balanced and detailed IMO.

What does DCM stand for?
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: alvinbaronsia on Oct 26, 2017 at 11:32 AM
What does DCM stand for?

Designers Collections something. http://designerscollection-ph.com/ (http://designerscollection-ph.com/)

They're the distributor of KEF in the PH.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: zram18 on Oct 31, 2017 at 02:10 PM
dcm is an audio video shop in cubao. i notice they are always present in hifi shows offering big discounts but only during hifi show period.if u can wait for it u can save a lot of money.
Title: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: juanderer on Nov 05, 2017 at 10:16 AM
my basis for amp search before is power rating. looked for amps min of 200wpc. was able to get one here sa board and im done.


some of the amps ive tried with it
 cayin 55A, 100A, 880 mono
triode tube amps*
hegel H300
audio research tube amp*
mcintosh ss amp*

* = forgot model number

yes for a while i thought id prefer tube amps, turns out my speaker and me dont heheh. so i looked for higher rated solid state amps instead.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: dukesociety on Nov 05, 2017 at 07:07 PM
heard ls50 with marantz amp, swabe naman ang tunog para sa kin. heard ls50w at hifi show, di ko masyado nagustuhan, parang may kulang or dahil dun sa music na tumutugtog. isali mo sa shortlist mo marantz and hegel sa pag audition.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: defcon3 on Nov 06, 2017 at 02:33 AM
Denon Pma 1500 rii...
I recently bought this amp from a friend. Currently tinkering with sub or with power amp to see which is best. IMHO, Power wise, 70 watts per channel is quiet enough for the ls50 At 9oclock position...
I’ve been in a hunt also for the right amp for ls50, I guess I’ve found it  :)
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: juanderer on Nov 06, 2017 at 12:32 PM
dalhin mo na lang sir sa mga audio stores yong speaker mo para ma check mo kung alin babagay sa pandinig mo.

ganon ginawa ko dati, that way marami kang marinig na amp.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: marudo on Nov 18, 2017 at 04:32 PM
Naim 5si, Rega Elex R, Onkyo M5000R or  A9070/A9000R..



Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: marudo on Nov 18, 2017 at 04:33 PM
heard ls50 with marantz amp, swabe naman ang tunog para sa kin. heard ls50w at hifi show, di ko masyado nagustuhan, parang may kulang or dahil dun sa music na tumutugtog. isali mo sa shortlist mo marantz and hegel sa pag audition.
Reference Amp ng marantz.. ls50 is too demanding..

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Arulco on Nov 18, 2017 at 07:49 PM
I've been using a lowly NAD C326BEE with my LS50 for a few years now and I never felt it was inadequate or thought that I had the need to upgrade. I do have a sealed SVS sub with my setup though.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: dukesociety on Nov 19, 2017 at 01:22 AM
Reference Amp ng marantz.. ls50 is too demanding..


Heard it with the 600 series, di naman kinapos sa hifi show. Of course, higher wattage is better.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: edison on Nov 24, 2017 at 10:29 AM
Maybe you should ask (PM) some members (friend) to try it in their system (your LS50) if their system is capable to drive your LS50. Trying different capable amps, maybe you can find what sound character performance you are looking for out of your LS50.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Letsride996 on Nov 27, 2017 at 08:04 AM
Emotiva (2) xpa 2 mono mono.....its gooood.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: t-bone on Nov 27, 2017 at 09:04 AM
British Integrated Amp
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: lithium_deuteride on Nov 27, 2017 at 09:12 AM
Give Melvin Chua of DCM a visit.  He should know what will make that Kef sing - after all, he's the distributor.  I've heard his Kef / Musical Fidelity Class A amp setup (albeit a high end one - the Kef was the flagship Blade) and it is goose-bumps inducing.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: t-bone on Nov 27, 2017 at 09:22 AM
Give Melvin Chua of DCM a visit.  He should know what will make that Kef sing - after all, he's the distributor.  I've heard his Kef / Musical Fidelity Class A amp setup (albeit a high end one - the Kef was the flagship Blade) and it is goose-bumps inducing.

(http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/business/business-as-usual/20160307/KEF.jpg)
The distributor of KEF is Johnny Cobankiat.

Melvin supplies demo equipment gratis in the KEF showroom......more exposure for the MF line.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: lithium_deuteride on Nov 27, 2017 at 09:30 AM
My bad.  Yeah, I've seen Kef being sold in other stores.  But as a resource person for what will make your LS50 sing, go see Melvin. He knows his stuff.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: kefq on Nov 27, 2017 at 09:33 AM
Have you tried tweaking the speaker/listener locations, distance from walls, height, toe-in angle, room treatment? I believe those are more worthwhile than an amp "upgrade." And even with a "better" amp you still have to optimize those.

+1
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Arulco on Nov 27, 2017 at 09:52 AM
Have you tried tweaking the speaker/listener locations, distance from walls, height, toe-in angle, room treatment? I believe those are more worthwhile than an amp "upgrade." And even with a "better" amp you still have to optimize those.

Agreed. It’s the same with subwoofers.  Also, try using the bungs to reduce the port size or plug it all together to reduce the boominess in some rooms or speaker positions.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: newbie pa rin on Dec 11, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Limited sir ung tweaks na pwese gawin since it's in the bedroom and not in a dedicated space. Actually it's good baka ung preference ko lang since we all have different preferences. Another thing that might affect the speakers performance is my use of Bluetooth and Spotify for convinience. If budget and priority permits will try to get a decent poweramp next year and see where it goes.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: resident_evil on Dec 28, 2017 at 02:28 AM
The LS50 is one of the best speakers out there. Mates well
with Musical Fidelity.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Jerkerly Tang on Apr 23, 2018 at 11:07 AM
Sir na audition mo na ba ang Kef R300? Baka un ang tunog na hinahanap mo....partner it with muscial fidelity m3si super best sounding combo
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: ganiman on Apr 27, 2018 at 06:09 AM
Kef r300 is better than LS50; which should be the case since it’s more expensive; But it really does sound excellent; it’s a 3 driver bookshelf speaker!  I’m now using a Moon neo 250i integrated amplifier with the Ls50 and I highly recommend it,
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: tony on Apr 27, 2018 at 08:06 AM
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-LS50-Mini-Monitor-Gloss/dp/B00EPDMDZ8

a thousand dollar speaker deserve a thousand dollar amp...
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: lithium_deuteride on Apr 27, 2018 at 04:06 PM
Kef pairs well with Musical Fidelity.  I've heard Kef Blade powered by an MF AMS-100.  Stupendously life-like.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Letsride996 on Jun 14, 2018 at 08:08 PM
2. Xpa 2 na emotiva.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Conan on Dec 25, 2018 at 09:02 PM
Well approximately a year later after responding to this thread I happened to find myself acquiring a pair of LS50 speakers during the last November HiFi show. I was using  Dynaudio Emit M20 speakers powered by a NAD C368 integrated amplifier. Swapping in the LS50 I was surprised by the lack of detail that I was hearing. I thought maybe it just needs to be broken in. After around a week I swapped the NAD C368 with my Cambridge CXA60 which I was originally planning to sell. Wow what a good match! The LS50 is no longer lacking detail in it's sound. After experimenting with speaker cables I eventually ended up with Chord Epic silver coated cables. They do bring out a bit more detail in the LS50.
Some experimenting with speaker positioning also had to be done with these LS50's. I found that giving them just a tiny bit of toe-in results in very good sound. In my experience with my previous bookshelf speakers, Elac B6, Mission LX2, KEF Q150 and Dynaudio M20 I could just leave them pointing straight ahead with no toe-in and the sound is already quite satisfying.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Audionuts on Dec 26, 2018 at 12:03 PM
How is the KEF LS50 and Dynaudio M20 match up?

Thanks
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Conan on Dec 26, 2018 at 12:55 PM
How is the KEF LS50 and Dynaudio M20 match up?

Thanks
The Dynaudio has bigger and deeper bass. It has an edge in detail in the highs without sounding fatiguing since the tweeter is a soft dome. It overall sounds like a bigger speaker, almost like a floor-stander. What the LS50 has is incredible imaging once you "dial-in" the toe-in properly.
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: Audionuts on Dec 26, 2018 at 01:28 PM
thanks ... i have a contour 1.1 i am very happy it's the same what you describe
Title: Re: Recommend a good amp for KEF LS50
Post by: accastil on Dec 27, 2018 at 05:16 PM
IMO, this would be the amp internally built into the LS50W version :)

yes the price is almost 1KUSd more but it comes with the amps, preamps, DACs, Bluetooth receiver.....not bad at all.