Stereo Set, which amp should I choose? Cambridge CXA81, Arcam A25+ or Cambridge EXA1000

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Hello guys,

This last week I've being reading a lot of forums about which amplifier I should choose, but, the chosen one will be defined after I choose which speaker between: B&W 606 S3 or Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and I'm open for suggestion (Kef LS50 Meta is one of them, but the LAST option).

I know that the 606's has more detail, crystal and clean sound than the Silver 100 7G, HOWEVER, Silver 100 7G has much more punch bass and get lower (35Hz) and also has a nice detail and clean sound (lower than 606's).

My actual set is B&W 602 S1 + Fosi Audio ZA3 + Denon AVR-3808CI + Subwoofer M&K MX-150 (90's), I know isn't much, BUT, I was very happy with this set for a long years, however, it's time to have an upgrade.

The set it's placed in my bedroom, aprox. 15m².

So, I have some scenarios:

1- Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G + Cambridge CXA81 or EXA100
2- B&W 606 S3 + Arcam Radia A25
3- KEF LS50 Meta + Arcam Radia A25 or Cambridge EXA100 (last option) - The edit was the order.

Again, I'm open for suggestion for another amp that I didn't list above.

Thank you,

Best regards.

 

[mglobe]

Of the speakers you have listed, I’d likely go for the LS50 Metas, and given you’re going with an integrated, maybe consider the Lyngdorf TAI 1120, which gives you the ability to manage the woofers and do room correction.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Of the speakers you have listed, I’d likely go for the LS50 Metas, and given you’re going with an integrated, maybe consider the Lyngdorf TAI 1120, which gives you the ability to manage the woofers and do room correction.

Why you choose LS50? Give me some insights, pros against the others speakers I’ve listed.

The integrated you mention, it’s way up to my budget! My budget for an amp integrated is around $1500-1800 max.

 

[Redacted]

From your list of pre-selected options, the amp choice is almost irrelevant compared with getting a speaker that suits your room.

I'd at least consider spending less on the amp by going for a class-D, maybe a chip amp, and putting the saving into bigger speakers or some subs.

 

[mglobe]

Why you choose LS50? Give me some insights, pros against the others speakers I’ve listed.

The integrated you mention, it’s way up to my budget! My budget for an amp integrated is around $1500-1800 max.

The B&W’s have a reputation for a lifted high frequency response that will likely become tiresome over time. The Monitor Audio’s are intriguing. I’ve heard the 50’s and was impressed, but the only test data I can find on the 100’s are from the 3g version, and they look uneven as well. LS50 Meta’s are quite highly regarded and test well also. I’m a big fan of room correction and the Lyngdorf seems to have all you need and very good and easy to use room correction system, something that I suspect over time you will wish you had.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

From your list of pre-selected options, the amp choice is almost irrelevant compared with getting a speaker that suits your room.

I'd at least consider spending less on the amp by going for a class-D, maybe a chip amp, and putting the saving into bigger speakers or some subs.

I don’t think it’s irrelevant, because the amps that I’ve listed have different signatures and will impact the speakers (each brand also has your signature).

I’m pretty happy with my actual sub!

And a bigger speakers, which you’d recommend?

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

The B&W’s have a reputation for a lifted high frequency response that will likely become tiresome over time. The Monitor Audio’s are intriguing. I’ve heard the 50’s and was impressed, but the only test data I can find on the 100’s are from the 3g version, and they look uneven as well. LS50 Meta’s are quite highly regarded and test well also. I’m a big fan of room correction and the Lyngdorf seems to have all you need and very good and easy to use room correction system, something that I suspect over time you will wish you had.

I know the B&W’s reputation , however, I can tame the high frequency with the right amp, probably like Arcam A25+.

100’s are pretty much the same of 50’s, only the woofer is bigger (8”) against 6,5”.

So, theoretically, if 50’s impressed you, 100’s should do the same.

 

[kemmler3D]

the amps that I’ve listed have different signatures and will impact the speakers (each brand also has your signature).

This type of heard signature almost always goes away in blind testing. All good amps sound alike, and there are many good amps out there today.

Of the speakers you listed, the LS50 will give the most even response in-room in part due to the coaxial design. I would also go for that one.

I can tame the high frequency with the right amp, probably like Arcam A25+.

That doesn't actually work unless there is something wrong with the amp, i.e. serious load dependency. This type of "component matching" is a left-over phenomenon from the 50s-70s when more amps did have high output impedance and the frequency response would change depending on which speakers you connected. Today this is mostly a solved problem.

I personally own the LS60s (somewhat similar to the LS50 in the mid/tweeter) and some B&W 602 S3. The B&W sound nice and "impressive" in a way, but it's obvious that the KEFs are more accurate and give you a better representation of the actual recording. To me that's more hi-fi. The measurements agree with this impression.

Also, welcome to ASR!

 

[Beave]

What are the actual room dimensions?

Will you continue to use your subwoofer, or get a new one, or not use one any more?

Why not keep using your Denon? It has plenty of power for your situation and probably more features than the newer amps you are considering.

What are you unhappy with about your current setup? What are you looking to improve?



I haven't seen good measurements for the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G or the Bowers 607 S3, but Amir here at ASR has measured their previous generation models.

Monitor Audio Silver 100 6G: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...onitor-audio-silver-100-review-speaker.29190/

Bowers 607 S2: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...kins-607-s2-anniversary-edition-review.21597/

And of course here is the KEF LS50 Meta that he reviewed: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-ls50-meta-review-speaker.25574/

 

[Beave]

I know the B&W’s reputation , however, I can tame the high frequency with the right amp, probably like Arcam A25+.

100’s are pretty much the same of 50’s, only the woofer is bigger (8”) against 6,5”.

So, theoretically, if 50’s impressed you, 100’s should do the same.

Amps don't tame high frequency lifts. EQ can, however.

The Silver 50s, by the way, use a 5 1/4" woofer, not a 6.5" woofer. The Silver 100s are much bigger than the Silver 50s.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

What are the actual room dimensions?

Will you continue to use your subwoofer, or get a new one, or not use one any more?

Why not keep using your Denon? It has plenty of power for your situation and probably more features than the newer amps you are considering.

What are you unhappy with about your current setup? What are you looking to improve?



I haven't seen good measurements for the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G or the Bowers 607 S3, but Amir here at ASR has measured their previous generation models.

Monitor Audio Silver 100 6G: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...onitor-audio-silver-100-review-speaker.29190/

Bowers 607 S2: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...kins-607-s2-anniversary-edition-review.21597/

And of course here is the KEF LS50 Meta that he reviewed: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/kef-ls50-meta-review-speaker.25574/

Room dimensions: 4,24m X 3,77m = 15,9m2

I’ll continue using the actual subwoofer.

This Denon doesn’t have enough current to pull the upgrades the way I want, but, I can use Denon features together with the amp.

The actual set don’t have too much detailing, sound stage, depth, due to a 30 years old speakers. My speakers are the weaker link of the chain.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Amps don't tame high frequency lifts. EQ can, however.

The Silver 50s, by the way, use a 5 1/4" woofer, not a 6.5" woofer. The Silver 100s are much bigger than the Silver 50s.

You’re correct!

 

[Chrispy]

Room dimensions: 4,24m X 3,77m = 15,9m2

I’ll continue using the actual subwoofer.

This Denon doesn’t have enough current to pull the upgrades the way I want, but, I can use Denon features together with the amp.

The actual set don’t have too much detailing, sound stage, depth, due to a 30 years old speakers. My speakers are the weaker link of the chain.

What do you mean the Denon doesn't have enough current?

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

What do you mean the Denon doesn't have enough current?

The Denon have smaller power supplies and struggle to deliver the high, instantaneous current that dedicated power amplifiers provide.

 

[Chrispy]

The Denon have smaller power supplies and struggle to deliver the high, instantaneous current that dedicated power amplifiers provide.

What model Denon is it? I have a few Denon avrs that exceed most integrated amps.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

What model Denon is it? I have a few Denon avrs that exceed most integrated amps.

AVR 3808ci

 

[Beave]

That Denon should be perfectly capable of providing enough current to make most speakers ear-bleeding loud in your room, especially when a subwoofer is properly employed to relieve it from having to drive the low bass region.

 

[JSmith]

I'm open for suggestion for another amp that I didn't list above

Anything measured here which measures well, that has the required power for the application and functions you need.


JSmith

 

[Chrispy]

AVR 3808ci

I have one of those. Good amp section and a more capable power supply than most integrated amps, particularly just for 2ch use. Benched 2ch 8 ohms 186.7 wpc at .1% thd, 210.9 wpc at 1% thd, and into 4 ohm 238.9 wpc at .1% thd, 277.3 wpc at 1% thd....and its 5 and 7 ch ratings are quite good, indicating a much larger power supply than almost all 2 ch integrated amps....

 

[RexrothPigeon]

AVR 3808ci

Definitely powerful enough, no question about it