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Seems like the author moved from a “speakers + networked amp” setup, to a one where with active speakers where everything is built-in. When I was buying speake

Seems like the author moved from a “speakers + networked amp” setup, to a one where with active speakers where everything is built-in. When I was buying speakers for my apartment some time ago, I was similarly considering going for the all-in-one options like this, but I’m glad I didn’t. I prefer the “dumb passive speaker + networked amp”, as it allows you to pick / replace / upgrade the separate components. Went for the KEF LS50, and for the amp Lyngdorf TDAI-1120. And that’s despite KEF having the all-in-one active version of those speakers. Very happy with my choices!

jamesbvaughan 2y ago
> Seems like the author moved from a “speakers + networked amp” setup, to a one where with active speakers where everything is built-in. Close! I moved from a "speakers + non-networked amp + streamer" setup. I'm still running separate components for nearer-field listening at my desk, where I've got KEF Q150s powered by a small Schiit pre-amp and amp.
- radicality 2y ago
  Nice! I don't have any Schiit gear, but few months ago I started reading the founders book 'Schiit Happened'. I got halfway through (and then got distracted by other books, need to pick it back up), but can definitely recommend it for anyone interested in audio, and especially if you already have some Schiit!
  - jamesbvaughan 2y ago
    Oh cool, I wasn't aware of the book but I'll check it out.
iamacyborg 2y ago
I have the “wireless” powered kef ls50 and the regular ones. The wireless model has significantly better bass response and sounds much better to my ear. I actually had a fault with them recently and they stopped working, I’d bought the speakers used on ebay and even had I had a warranty they were past 5 years old by the point the fault developed. Regardless, kef repaired them entirely for free. 10/10 would buy again.
- dsr_ 2y ago
  KEF builds an equalizer into the radio->DAC->crossover->amplifiers chain, and the default for that is much of what you are hearing. The other part is that they hugely overbuild the amplifier sections (at least by rating -- 280W for the mid-woofer and 100W for the tweeter.
cmiller1 2y ago
I don't even bother with a networked amp, you can plug a chromecast/airplay/bluetooth receiver into a dumb amp.

jamesbvaughan 2y ago

> Seems like the author moved from a “speakers + networked amp” setup, to a one where with active speakers where everything is built-in. Close! I moved from a "speakers + non-networked amp + streamer" setup. I'm still running separate components for nearer-field listening at my desk, where I've got KEF Q150s powered by a small Schiit pre-amp and amp.

radicality 2y ago
Nice! I don't have any Schiit gear, but few months ago I started reading the founders book 'Schiit Happened'. I got halfway through (and then got distracted by other books, need to pick it back up), but can definitely recommend it for anyone interested in audio, and especially if you already have some Schiit!
- jamesbvaughan 2y ago
  Oh cool, I wasn't aware of the book but I'll check it out.

iamacyborg 2y ago

I have the “wireless” powered kef ls50 and the regular ones. The wireless model has significantly better bass response and sounds much better to my ear. I actually had a fault with them recently and they stopped working, I’d bought the speakers used on ebay and even had I had a warranty they were past 5 years old by the point the fault developed. Regardless, kef repaired them entirely for free. 10/10 would buy again.

dsr_ 2y ago
KEF builds an equalizer into the radio->DAC->crossover->amplifiers chain, and the default for that is much of what you are hearing. The other part is that they hugely overbuild the amplifier sections (at least by rating -- 280W for the mid-woofer and 100W for the tweeter.

cmiller1 2y ago

I don't even bother with a networked amp, you can plug a chromecast/airplay/bluetooth receiver into a dumb amp.