I actually have DB1D.
Those are nice speakers. I'd go up-market a bit. Maybe NAD M23 or McIntosh MC152 or MC312.
I actually liked the idea that I could give the kef all the juice it needs under 1500$ with class d.
The NAD is a Purifi based Class D amp and measures very well:
www.audioholics.com
In my country it sells for 5400$.The NAD is a Purifi based Class D amp and measures very well:
NAD M23 Stereo Amplifier Review
The NAD M23 is a 200wpc stereo amplifier utilizing the SOTA Class D Purifi 1ET400A to push the envelope of performance and efficiency. Is this the best amplifier we’ve reviewed in our 25 year history?
My listening distance is about 4 meters.
The Purifi 1ET6525 amp from Buckeye should be a good choice for driving KEF REF1 - subject, perhaps, to an objective review of the amp if you are very cautious. Very few amps will produce better performance at most power levels and its max output matches the max power handling of the speaker. Spending more money, even substantially more money, on an amp will not give you better sound.
It is very nice, but 3700-4000$. Assuming one doesn't need its features and doesn't care about the brand name, that's actually quite bad value for money - considering you can get essentially the same raw amplifier performance for well under 2000.The NAD is a Purifi based Class D amp and measures very well:
NAD M23 Stereo Amplifier Review
The NAD M23 is a 200wpc stereo amplifier utilizing the SOTA Class D Purifi 1ET400A to push the envelope of performance and efficiency. Is this the best amplifier we’ve reviewed in our 25 year history?
Sure, but the KEF Reference line is hardly a "value" offering.
That doesn't mean you should spend 4000 when 2000 or even 1500 will get you the same.
If you're going to run Dirac with the Flex, I don't think it's redundant at all.
Agree. Just as with recent DACs incorporating hi grade delta sigma ICs, amplifier technology, with the recent class D advances has moved forward and the performance to price ratio has improved. Substantially.
