Amp for KEF LS50 Meta

[mattpitts74]

Hi there, this is my first post here, so please be gentle. I have recently aquired a pair of Kef LS50 Meta speakers and I'm looking for a better amp to pair with them. My current old amp is a NAD D3020. , I have now tried several other amplifiers with the Kefs including:

Rega Brio
Audiolab 6000A Play
Powernode
NAD D3020 - my current amp

So far I have preferred the Rega, but would like to try one of the more powerful Rega amps.

Also, these speakers often get paired with Arcam amps, although their current models are out of my budget there seem to be several used models that might suit the Kefs such as the:

Arcam A85
Arcam FMJ A39

Other used options I have been considering are:

QUAD 405-2 or larger
Linn LK140

In reality, I'm in a pretty small room of only 4m x 4x and play at relatively low volumes of 65-70dB. So interested to hear people's ideas and views on any of these.

 

[bigrod]

What is your budget ?

 

[ChemMan]

I have the LS50 with an Arcam A39. It sounds good. I've put four or five amps with them and they always sound good, but I'd probably steer clear of some of the basic Class D designs like the power node and NAD's less expensive stuff. I'd pass on the Linn as well.

I find they are somewhat power hungry and while not all watts are created equal in the world of HIFI amplification, I would try to find a 100W or more. With that said, my 60W tube amp makes them sing.

 

[tackleberry]

My Sony 770es would run em!

 

[mattpitts74]

What is your budget ?

£500 - £1000

 

[ChemMan]

£500 - £1000

You should be able to find something good for that. My Arcam goes for €800-900 second hand.

 

[Lurch]

@mattpitts74
Here you go, 100wpc and only £350.
https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/inca-tech-claymore-2.110977/

 

[Iceman 16]

How about this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15530917...WASbHbhRGS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

or this but collection only I think.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27556498...WASbHbhRGS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[ChemMan]

How about this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15530917...WASbHbhRGS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

or this but collection only I think.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27556498...WASbHbhRGS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

great prices on those!!

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

Where are you based? Maybe some kind folks would pop round with an amp or two to give you an idea.

 

[Iceman 16]

great prices on those!!

Im temped myself for my bedroom system as I used to own the A29😀

 

[Jezzer]

I used to have an A85 about 20 years ago and my memory of that amp is of good power and refinement but perhaps a little laid back for the LS50 Meta (which I also had). I think a pairing with one of Rega’s more expensive amps is a good shout - they tend to have a punchy and fast character. I would also put Simaudio on the list. Then again, if you want smoothness then Arcam is a good shout!

 

[nak]

I had a very brief demo of the Kef's once. The amp used was a Musical Fidelity M2si. I'd never heard either before but they seemed to work well together.

 

[uzzy]

The Metas have an efficiency of 85db and an impedance load that drops to 3.5 ohms.

Personal view is save your pennies as all the changes above are IMO sideways steps but not a step to significant improvement.

Look to buy something like a Krell KSA 80 or 100 or how about a HaflerDH200 or 220 ? - These all will handle below 4 ohms. The bargain choice is the Hafler IMO (the Halfer drove my Gale 401s to deafening levels without complaint) they sound great and cost about £200 to £250 second hand - then match it with the preamp of your choice (I use an Audio Research SP9) and in my view this combination would wipe the floor with any amp you can buy for up to £3 or £4k or more (let's put it this way I trialled a pair of EAR 509s and they did not offer enough to make me want to change).

 

[Iceman 16]

The Metas have an efficiency of 85db and an impedance load that drops to 3.5 ohms.

Personal view is save your pennies as all the changes above are IMO sideways steps but not a step to significant improvement.

Look to buy something like a Krell KSA 80 or 100 or how about a HaflerDH200 or 220 ? - These all will handle below 4 ohms. The bargain choice is the Hafler IMO (the Halfer drove my Gale 401s to deafening levels without complaint) they sound great and cost about £200 to £250 second hand - then match it with the preamp of your choice (I use an Audio Research SP9) and in my view this combination would wipe the floor with any amp you can buy for up to £3 or £4k or more (let's put it this way I trialled a pair of EAR 509s and they did not offer enough to make me want to change).

His budget is £500 - £1000 and those Krell ksa I think is worth more than that and still need a pre.

 

[Rockchild]

The Metas have an efficiency of 85db and an impedance load that drops to 3.5 ohms.

Personal view is save your pennies as all the changes above are IMO sideways steps but not a step to significant improvement.

Look to buy something like a Krell KSA 80 or 100 or how about a HaflerDH200 or 220 ? - These all will handle below 4 ohms. The bargain choice is the Hafler IMO (the Halfer drove my Gale 401s to deafening levels without complaint) they sound great and cost about £200 to £250 second hand - then match it with the preamp of your choice (I use an Audio Research SP9) and in my view this combination would wipe the floor with any amp you can buy for up to £3 or £4k or more (let's put it this way I trialled a pair of EAR 509s and they did not offer enough to make me want to change).

Uzzy, have you heard the combination your suggesting with the Kef’s?

 

[Rockchild]

The Arcam a39 is more than capable of driving the Kefs as suggested. There are many modern amps out there which will also drive them with ease. The trick is to get the synergy right.

 

[Iceman 16]

I used to own the LS50 (not meta) and my 35w Musical Fidelity drove them without any problem. Ime it’s not only about watts.

 

[Rockchild]

I used to own the LS50 (not meta) and my 35w Musical Fidelity drove them without any problem. Ime it’s not only about watts.

Yeah your right Jayson. Plenty of ‘current’ buns in that AMS 👍🏻

 

[t1no]

What if you went with a used Kef LS50 wireless (active speaker) around 1K and sold the Metas to pay for them. Same speaker no separate amp to worry about? 🤔