Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

I'd probably keep it as is.

Matching a newer (cheaper and more powerful) amp may just ruin the lovely and efficient KEF speakers.

Ok, fair does, thanks for the advice. It doesnt sound bad, just thought as it was quite a cheap set up it might have room for improvement...
Quite liked the look of this http://www.richersounds.com/product/amplifiers-receivers/yamaha/as301/yama-as301-sil

Not a bad choice. I like yamaha amp sound. It could overpower you speakers though. Be careful with the volume knob though and it'll probably make the sound livelier and more rhythmic feeling.

Any ideas of a better one? I dont want to overpower/damage the speakers. Can be new of second hand. Something that looks like either my current amp or that one....

It seems those speakers are actually very similar to the LS3/5a design with a larger cabinet and a similarly complex crossover design. I'd expect them to perform better than the LS3/5a, so they are probably excellent. At my work, the LS3/5a's were usually powered by Quad 405 amps, or anything which could deliver a reasonable amount of current, because despite beingblabelled as nominally "8 Ohms", the crossover design meant that the impedance became very low at ceratin frequencies. Anyway, TLDR - your speakers' crossovers may not exhibit this same characteristic, but it's certainly possible.

for that price, not much! Maybe a cambridge audio topaz - but it'l be boring grey.

I wouldn't worry too much, you could use the yamaha with your current setup fine - just don't let a numpty whack the volume up to max.

Maybe look at a Marantz PM6005 - never heard one, just gets good write ups.

They do? Wowee, I didn't know they were still in use, I'd have thought it was all done on a laptop thesedays :) I've got some photo's I took of the transmitter hold of the Ross Revenge (I'm an Anorak as well as a tweaker.... I know...) an it was the 1st time I saw an Optimod in the flesh and what was left of the Ampliphase TX'ers. Electro-swoon!

As an aside, I'm just about to start building a pair of LS3/5a's.

NAD.

That numpty will be me.
Price could be a bit more?
Thanks again.

Cool. I have about six pairs of LS3/5a's. I may be able to offer the odd bit of advice, but I've never built a pair myself.

Anyone here want a marantz cd80?
It's taking up space in the attic at my mums and don't really have space for it at the new gaff. It still worked last time I used it about 7 years ago. Good condition apart from minor paint roller spray from the previous owner.

Oh, and I don't want any money for it - you just have to carry the heavy beast home.

Which model BRO?!

I shouldn't, so I won't. But someone should, and do a few capacitor upgrades around the awesome tda1541a dac and, if you feel punchy, a tube output stage. Fabulous CDP.

6 pairs, kerrrrrikey you need help! :) I'm available....!

Ta for the offer of advice Mr Abod. I've actually purchased an entire kit to do it from Falcon Acoustics who are one of the current License holders I believe. Not cheap but I've wanted a pair since I spent 4 1/2 years listening to them everyday whilst working in a TV/AV workshop in Camberwell/Brixton in the late 80's early 90's. Powered by a Mission Cyrus IIRC, loved the sound in that little workshop. At roughly the same time and for 19 years I lived with a pair of Rogers Studio 1a's before I discovered what Full range (sorta!) single drivers in horns could do on the end of Single-ended Valve amps and sold the Rogers to fund a DIY horn build. The new listening room at home (long-suffering partner insists on referring to it as 'our-conservatory-dear'...Pffftttt!) is gagging for pair of monitor's as we sit very close to the listening position (oops I mean comfy sofa looking down the garden).

Complex Xover is back to 15R again as they're sourcing hand build rep's of T27's and B110's. Details if you're the inquisitive type here -> http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/ls3-5a/ls3-5a-b110-t27-cabinet-kit-complete.html

Sounds great!

I hope they will/still do!

Just search for NAD amplifiers on eBay - you can get something great for about £70 most of the time and they kind of fit in with mid century Danish furniture...

No takers for the CD80?!

Noticed this really badly this morning on commute. Heard a tune I know on R1 over car radio, and barely recognised it, so much missing from the tune

I think dazaa has one?

Unfortunately they also compress the DAB networks too, despite it being technically unnecessary.

@chrisbmx116 I notice your speakers are 20-100 watts but your amp is 15.

Something like this would be good. And its a steal... Just an example.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/NAD-C320BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier-/131690115178?nav=SEARCH

how much you want for it

Bloody hell they ain't cheap. If my kefs have even the slightest similarity to them I best hold on to them. @Well_is_it that nads not pretty bro. I'll prob need the wattage thing explained a little... Best done over ale.

Your amp should be at least 1:1 with the speakers in terms of output power. Reason being that you don't want to be pushing your amp anywhere near the limit, where distortion and (if you go far enough) speaker damage occurs.