[IM954]

Looking for input on which NuPrime setup would work best for a pair of KEF LS50 speakers. Listening room is 12x15 and is on the top floor of an apartment building. Listen to female/male vocals, singer songwriter, pop/rock (60's to current) and jazz. Forgoing subwoofer and no headphone input needed.

Sources will be coming from the following - all hardwired: iPad Mini 4 (via USB) for iTunes, Pandora and Tidal. Samsung LCD (via either analogue or digital out) for movies from Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime. No other sources.

Was looking at Wyred 4 sound mInt integrated or either Wyred 4 Sound mAmp mono blocks or Hypex Ncore (NC500 or NC400) mono blocks with some sort of passive pre with analogue attenuator (Tisbury, Luminous Audio, Goldpoint, etc), but believe the NuPrime to be the best and most cost effective route to listening pleasure.

Builds, from $$$$ to $ would be as follows:

1 = 1 x ST-10 & 1 x DAC-10 = $3,090
2 = 2 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-10 = $2,793
3 = 1 x IDA-16 = $2,600
4 = 1 x ST-10 & 1 x DAC-9 = $2,344
5 = 1 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-10 = $2,144
6 = 2 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-9 = $2,047
7 = 1 X STA-9 & 1 x DAC-9 = $1,398
8 = 1 x IDA-8 = $995

Want to get the tightest best base out of the KEF LS50 as well as keeping the mids and highs natural and clean - if not slightly warm. Cost is important, but more from a standpoint of the best fit for a 12x15 room and getting the most out of the KEF LS50 (i.e balanced vs unbalanced, overkill vs not, etc...).

Thanks for in advance for any and all input.

[mresseguie]

Model   LS50
Design   Two-way bass reflex
Drive units   Uni-Q driver array:
HF: 25mm (1in.) vented
aluminium dome
LF/MF: 130mm (5.25in.)
magnesium/aluminium alloy
Frequency range (-6dB)   47Hz - 45kHz
Frequency response (±3dB)   79Hz - 28kHz
Crossover frequency   2.2kHz
Amplifier requirements   25 - 100 W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m)   85dB
Harmonic distortion
2nd & 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)   <0.4% 175Hz-20kHz
Maximum output   106dB

I'm driving 83.5 dB monitors with my IDA-8 in a larger (longer) room than yours, and I normally get enough volume to satisfy me. However, there are times when I wish I had more power: Bluetooth sucks power away from the amplifier forcing me to increase the volume to 75 or 85 depending on the music, which makes me nervous [I should ask Jason if there's a valid reason for my concern.] My experience with amps tells me I'll get a richer/fuller sound from a more powerful amp, so I do find myself looking at the ST-10 or the IDA-16 as replacements (or using my other amp and buying a DAC-10 to pair with it).

If I were buying now with a budget up to $3100 and armed with 3 1/2 months of using the IDA-8, I would ask John (Casler) to send me an IDA-16 to audition. If it didn't satisfy my needs, I'd get the ST-10/DAC-10 combo. The IDA-8 has just a single optical in, but I have two devices that I like to attach via the optical; the IDA-16 has two.

Now, I have heard neither the DAC-9 nor the DAC-10. I can't tell you A is better than B, nor which has the sound I prefer. I'm very curious myself. I wish I lived a few miles from John, so I could borrow this or that unit to figure out which combination works for me. Until then, I must suffer with written words.

What else? If I had more efficient speakers (87dB to 89dB), I'd stick with the IDA-8, but send it to Bob at TDSS to tweak.

I hope this helps you rather than confuses you. 

Michael

[wellpleased]

Looking for input on which NuPrime setup would work best for a pair of KEF LS50 speakers. Listening room is 12x15 and is on the top floor of an apartment building. Listen to female/male vocals, singer songwriter, pop/rock (60's to current) and jazz. Forgoing subwoofer and no headphone input needed.

Sources will be coming from the following - all hardwired: iPad Mini 4 (via USB) for iTunes, Pandora and Tidal. Samsung LCD (via either analogue or digital out) for movies from Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime. No other sources.

Was looking at Wyred 4 sound mInt integrated or either Wyred 4 Sound mAmp mono blocks or Hypex Ncore (NC500 or NC400) mono blocks with some sort of passive pre with analogue attenuator (Tisbury, Luminous Audio, Goldpoint, etc), but believe the NuPrime to be the best and most cost effective route to listening pleasure.

Builds, from $$$$ to $ would be as follows:

1 = 1 x ST-10 & 1 x DAC-10 = $3,090
2 = 2 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-10 = $2,793
3 = 1 x IDA-16 = $2,600
4 = 1 x ST-10 & 1 x DAC-9 = $2,344
5 = 1 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-10 = $2,144
6 = 2 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-9 = $2,047
7 = 1 X STA-9 & 1 x DAC-9 = $1,398
8 = 1 x IDA-8 = $995

Want to get the tightest best base out of the KEF LS50 as well as keeping the mids and highs natural and clean - if not slightly warm. Cost is important, but more from a standpoint of the best fit for a 12x15 room and getting the most out of the KEF LS50 (i.e balanced vs unbalanced, overkill vs not, etc...).

Thanks for in advance for any and all input.

Option 7 will be all you need and later add another STA-9 if you want more power.

[JackD]

I agree with Mark, though in your situation with room size and downstairs neighbors the IDA-8 may be more than enough to do what you need and it's sound profile fits your stated wants. 

[fiveoclockfriday]

I'm very interested to hear what you choose and your thoughts!

I own a pair of LS50s, and I'm using them with a Nuforce DDA-100. It's not bad, but I could use a little more power and I notice some sibilance on some songs - something a little 'warmer' might be good. I was considering the IDA-8 and STA-9/DAC-9 combo as well.

- Eric

[firedog]

I agree with Mark, though in your situation with room size and downstairs neighbors the IDA-8 may be more than enough to do what you need and it's sound profile fits your stated wants.

I agree with Mark, though in your situation with room size and downstairs neighbors the IDA-8 may be more than enough to do what you need and it's sound profile fits your stated wants.

If you are sure you want the Kefs, I'd buy them and then audition them with the IDA-8 from a vendor that allows returns; I'm guessing the IDA-8 will be all you need.
Of course if you want to buy something pretty much state of the art, go for option 6. That will probably work with any speaker setup you could ever have in the future.

[maty]

SPL (Sound pressure level) calculator

-> http://www.doctorproaudio.com/doctor/calculadores_en.htm#calc_spl

KEF LS50, 85dB with 3.7 Ohm minimum. Put 5 Ohms in the calc to be more conservative.

I have KEF Q100, 86 dB with 4.7 Ohm minimum (6 Ohms in the calc). With AV Marantz SR4500: 80W at 8 Ohm (really 105W with 0.1 THD) and I do not need more power.

[maty]

Other useful calc:

Calculate Enclosure Resonances

-> http://www.mh-audio.nl/standingwaveinbox/calculator.asp

[John Casler]

Builds, from $$$$ to $ would be as follows:

1 = 1 x ST-10 & 1 x DAC-10 = $3,090
2 = 2 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-10 = $2,793
3 = 1 x IDA-16 = $2,600
4 = 1 x ST-10 & 1 x DAC-9 = $2,344
5 = 1 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-10 = $2,144
6 = 2 x STA-9 & 1 x DAC-9 = $2,047
7 = 1 X STA-9 & 1 x DAC-9 = $1,398
8 = 1 x IDA-8 = $995

Thanks for in advance for any and all input.

Sorry I missed this post, and I was going to call you tomorrow anyhow.

There is actually another OPTION.

That is the HD AVA - $2995.



This basically gives you the IDA-16 2 Channel Integrated, with a Multi-channel and HT Processor.

Not sure I mentioned this earlier when we talked since I don't think you mentioned "Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime".  I recall "iTunes, Pandora and Tidal".

With the HD AVA you can go 2 channel, 3-7 channels, and all the .1 (subs) you want.

It also has USB Hard Drive Inputs to expand your Digital Storage Libraries, and Access Capabilities.

However, as you have already seen, NuPrime covers a lot of bases.

[downunder55]

Any update on the final choice, and feedback on the install ?

[rustydoglim]

How do you connect iPad Mini to the rest of the stuff since you have the LCD TV too ?
Do you use the lightning to HDMI and then optical from TV to DAC?
Or use AirPlay to stream video to TV and output audio to USB ?
If the later case, you can even use NuPrime uDSD or Encore mDSD with STA-9.
You only have one source, so I think you can start with the portable DAC and STA-9 for a super cheap setup.
Then upgrade to STA-9X2 or DAC-9 + STA-9.

Or just go with IDA-8 and be done.