Looking for new desktop amp to drive Kef LS50s under 1000$ - Recommendations?

[kniff]

New user, love the site! Science-based reviews is rare (but welcome) in the audiophile world.

Currently driving Kef LS50s with a Sabaj A4 that works OK (Had the Emotiva Basx A-100 / Schiit Modi 1-combo earlier) but am still curious if i can get them to open up with more oompf.

I'm considering the new Topping D50s with the XTZ EDGE A2-300 Class D Icepower amp (2x150W @ 8 ohms) which seems like a crazy package for under 800$ unless i am missing something?

I did look at Hypex since Class D fascinates me, but it would bust the budget quite a bit..

Any other recommendations for either an integrated that fits on my desk, or a combo like the one above?

Thanks!

 

[Blumlein 88]

Assuming that XTZ Edge really meets its spec, you'll probably have trouble doing better for the price.

 

[kniff]

Assuming that XTZ Edge really meets its spec, you'll probably have trouble doing better for the price.

Thanks for replying, this was my thinking as well. Here are some published measurements of the amp (posted by another member here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...mplifiers-to-test-and-review.2238/post-142912)

I've also contacted XTZ (i've had heaps of their gear throughout the years and use their floorspeakers in my livingroom) to contact the site so we can get some in-depth numbers from Amir.

 

[georgeT]

That XTZ amp looks good for the price, if you don't mind high THD+N values above 5khz.
Going by all the measurements available here there really aren't any amps with better price performance ratio than the nc400 based units.

 

[BillG]

ICEPower based, fully integrated so you wont need a separate DAC or headphone amp, and should work well with whatever you choose to drive with it - just add a streamer and go:

https://www.amazon.com/A8-Amplifier-Headphone-Solution-ICEpower/dp/B076BG9XRC

 

[kniff]

ICEPower based, fully integrated so you wont need a separate DAC or headphone amp, and should work well with whatever you choose to drive with it - just add a streamer and go:

https://www.amazon.com/A8-Amplifier-Headphone-Solution-ICEpower/dp/B076BG9XRC

Reviews seems scarce but worth looking into further, thanks!

 

[March Audio]

Cough

P122

https://www.marchaudio.net.au/stereo-power-amplifiers

 

[BillG]

Reviews seems scarce but worth looking into further, thanks!

Its little brother has had its DAC performance measured, which should give you an idea of the quality of the device:

http://archimago.blogspot.com/2017/08/measurements-smsl-a6-as-dac-part-ii.html

And ICEPower modules are a known quantity at this point: They measure well, but not as well as Hypex...

 

[kniff]

Cough

P122

https://www.marchaudio.net.au/stereo-power-amplifiers

I've looked at your site when i was searching for premade Hypex amps (some truly nice gear!) as well as Apollon and a few others, if my budget was a tad higher i'd be more inclined to go down that route but alas - taxes, customs and shipping to Sweden is no fun..

Its little brother has had its DAC performance measured, which should give you an idea of the quality of the device:

http://archimago.blogspot.com/2017/08/measurements-smsl-a6-as-dac-part-ii.html

And ICEPower modules are a known quantity at this point: They measure well, but not as well as Hypex...

Thanks for the link!

 

[Mtbf]

New user, love the site! Science-based reviews is rare (but welcome) in the audiophile world.

Currently driving Kef LS50s with a Sabaj A4 that works OK (Had the Emotiva Basx A-100 / Schiit Modi 1-combo earlier) but am still curious if i can get them to open up with more oompf.

I'm considering the new Topping D50s with the XTZ EDGE A2-300 Class D Icepower amp (2x150W @ 8 ohms) which seems like a crazy package for under 800$ unless i am missing something?

I did look at Hypex since Class D fascinates me, but it would bust the budget quite a bit..

Any other recommendations for either an integrated that fits on my desk, or a combo like the one above?

Thanks!

Here is a link to a recent review of the XTZ EDGE A2-300. It’s in German.

https://www.lowbeats.de/test-xtz-edge-a2-300-leistungsstarker-endverstaerker/

 

[Ajax]

Hi kniff,

I have the the Topping D50s, and can recommend it as does Amir.

For the amplifier check out this hypex nc252mp based power amp from the French company Audiophonics, which is within your budget.

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...reo-amplifier-ncore-2x250w-4-ohm-p-14185.html

Archimago gave it a very solid review and now uses it as his reference.

http://archimago.blogspot.com/2020/01/measurements-hypex-ncore-nc252mp.html?m=1