@@Soundnews Of course! I have been watching your reviews for a while have always enjoyed your input! Thank you so much going to be hitting the grindstone of 1 video a week. Only have time for that amount currently!
Thanks for another great review. I'm thinking of getting the Keces S125 based off your review. If I like it. Maybe I'll step up to this later. It's a beauty. I'm running a class D (Hypex Ncore) right now w/Buchardt S300's, but I'm using A DIY tube preamp, and a very smooth DAC (Sabaj D5). So it's not too clinical (it was w/just the DAC though), but I want to go back to class AB I think. For the slam mainly, but also I want to go back to a solid state preamp too, or no preamp, or DAC/Pre, like Audio Gd D-28. This is my main system I'm talking about. I'll still have plenty of tubes, and other different gear around for when I feel the need for something different. I have a big vintage collection, and a lot of new gear too. But I'm thinking of narrowing it down, and building a better main system. We'll see though. It's not going to be easy to part with some of it. I can't even imagine selling my Marantz 2275 for instance. But this is my main thing. My system must not be clinical, hence all the vintage gear. I know you feel the same way, but I also know you like the detail, probably more then me. However, I'm still surprised to see the new Kef speakers. They're supposed to be quite clinical by many accounts, but I've not tried any of the recent ones. Just older stuff, and I wasn't very impressed unfortunately. I like to keep an open mind though, and I am really interested in the new ones. How do you feel about the whole clinical vs musical thing w/your new Kefs? Also the bass problem you mentioned. Is that with all your speakers? Or just the new Kefs? What size is your room? Are you going to review the Kefs in the future? Sorry to quiz you, but it will really help me. As I don't have any stores near me to listen to any gear at. I buy from reviews, and hope I like it. Thankfully I've done pretty good with it this way. But I've had to return stuff unfortunately. This is another reason I like vintage stuff. I can hear it first. Thank you again, and have a great week. ✌️
Hi Scott...First off all you should know that I don't like tubes that much and secondly is that I have the most linear DAC and preamp I know. (Element X and HPA4) People can call then clinical, but they are not, those are simply getting out of the way of the music. Transparency and details is about disappearing from the chain, not about "beautifying" or "brightening" your music. KEF Ref 3 are not clinical sounding. Transparent, detailed and extremely fast sounding? That is my short description. I hold transparency and speed above anything else. If it's clean and decays naturally, then it's right up my alley. S125 has the right amount of power, slam, transparency and decay, I think its a giant killer. It will be discontinued soon, so get it while there is still stock. S300 will be its replacement at 2.5 times more expensive.
Hey mate, Reference 3 are not mine, Yet. It's a loaner for two weeks, needless to say...I never heard something better at my place, engaging and hard hitting all the time.
Hi, S300 is pretty much the same but more technical and more detailed sounding . You can make S300 slightly crisper if you use Low-Bias Mode and you can make it more like S125 with its High-Bias Mode.
Looking at the Keces E40 for low to moderate level listening. My question, is the preamp section of the Keces E40 good enough to bring out the best or close enough with an amp such as this or a bit lower (S125 now discontinued but Keces may come out with something in-between) when used together? One of the points I need is if I want to use the Keces E40 as a pre down the road. I know it's just an opinion. Thanks.
I have reviewed the little E40 just few months ago, check my videos. Wonderful little amp working always in Class-A. It drove very well a pair of Buchardt S400. E40 sounded even warmer and more natural than S125 and S300, probably because it always works in class-A. Decent DAC section and great integrated amp section.
Dear God! How much power is that thing sucking in? I know electricity is cheap in Romania but do you happen to know how much wattage would it actually drain for say 60-80w of power? Thanks Sandu and congrats for the review! :)
Not really....Heard better ones on multiple occasions..Raidho D5.1 was the most transparent loudspeaker I've experienced and there were more, but a lot more expensive than Ref 3
I'm surprised for having that large of a toroidal transformer that its wattage is quite lackluster. For instance Monoprice has the monolith 2x that has a toroidal Transformer that 800va yet it puts out 200 watts in 8 ohms and 300 watts into 4 Ohms. The Monoprice also weighs in at about 50 pounds. The Monoprice has the better value
Monoprice isn't even audiophile grade. It's Home Theater grade. Great for your average consumer that can't hear the difference anyway. But no one that actually recognizes good sound would buy one of their amps. It's just off the shelf transformers, and some old technology made by either ATI, or Emotiva (the amp modules), and put into a custom case. IOTAVX did the same thing with their AVXP1 7 channel amp, although it sounds much better then any Monoprice. But, if you consider wattage, weight, and transformer size to be most important (for some strange reason). Then yes the Monoprice is the better deal. If however you're concerned with actual sound quality. You could save your money, and get something like a Rega io for $600, Cambridge Audio AXR100 for $500, Yamaha A-S801 for $650 refurbished, Marantz PM6007 for $700, Arcam SA10 for $800, or a Rotel A11 Tribute for $800. Any of which will sound much better then the Monoprice for less, but not nearly as good as the amp reviewed here. That Keces is a BEAST! BTW unless you have the hardest to drive, most insensitive speakers ever, and want to go deaf. You'll probably never run that Keces to full volume, same for the Monoprice. So the wattage isn't very important. The high current is though, because it will control your woofers, which keeps distortion low. I'll take a 100 watt high current amp (one that doubles to 200@4 ohm preferably), over that 200 watt Monoprice, any day of the week.
@@egnw0 you haven't a clue, it's made by one of the highest grade manufacturers around. ATI is highly regarded. Gene from audioholics review and hooked it up to his $50,000 status Acoustics speakers and he said it sounded fantastic. You obviously have no clue. So you consider Keces audiophile. They are no name and have no platform in the USA. Please do some research.
@@amb3cog you are obviously Clueless. Gene from audioholics has been in the industry 2-channel and home theater for the last 30 years or so. He hooked the Monoprice up to his $50,000 status Acoustics speakers. He said it sounded fantastic. You obviously haven't heard the Monoprice. Also Monoprice is yes made by ATI which is one of the more highly regarded amplifier manufacturers around. This is hilarious that you are attempting to compare KECES....... who has virtually no presence in the United States to an amplifier made by ATI. It's absolutely obnoxious and ridiculous.
Why, Why, Why... One more thing to buy. You're a very bad man for making me want the S300. I have the Buchardt S400 speaker and the Matrix Audio Element X. No more please...
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Just ordered 2, my friend did also,screaming bargain of the century, great research , your channel is the best, thankyou
That’s how to do a review. Thorough and detailed! Thank you!
My pleasure!
Nice review man. Thank you. Congratulations on the new floorstanders you've got as well.
I wish Reference 3 were mine... :) But I'm saving
Always a great review my friend! Hopefully getting my Basx A-300 for my review! Whomever thumbs downed this review is a troll!
Glad you enjoyed it, nice channel you got there, good luck with it!
@@Soundnews Of course! I have been watching your reviews for a while have always enjoyed your input! Thank you so much going to be hitting the grindstone of 1 video a week. Only have time for that amount currently!
How does it compare to the Kinky Studio amp that you loved so much?
Thanks for another great review. I'm thinking of getting the Keces S125 based off your review. If I like it. Maybe I'll step up to this later. It's a beauty. I'm running a class D (Hypex Ncore) right now w/Buchardt S300's, but I'm using A DIY tube preamp, and a very smooth DAC (Sabaj D5). So it's not too clinical (it was w/just the DAC though), but I want to go back to class AB I think. For the slam mainly, but also I want to go back to a solid state preamp too, or no preamp, or DAC/Pre, like Audio Gd D-28.
This is my main system I'm talking about. I'll still have plenty of tubes, and other different gear around for when I feel the need for something different. I have a big vintage collection, and a lot of new gear too. But I'm thinking of narrowing it down, and building a better main system. We'll see though. It's not going to be easy to part with some of it. I can't even imagine selling my Marantz 2275 for instance.
But this is my main thing. My system must not be clinical, hence all the vintage gear. I know you feel the same way, but I also know you like the detail, probably more then me. However, I'm still surprised to see the new Kef speakers. They're supposed to be quite clinical by many accounts, but I've not tried any of the recent ones. Just older stuff, and I wasn't very impressed unfortunately. I like to keep an open mind though, and I am really interested in the new ones.
How do you feel about the whole clinical vs musical thing w/your new Kefs? Also the bass problem you mentioned. Is that with all your speakers? Or just the new Kefs? What size is your room? Are you going to review the Kefs in the future?
Sorry to quiz you, but it will really help me. As I don't have any stores near me to listen to any gear at. I buy from reviews, and hope I like it. Thankfully I've done pretty good with it this way. But I've had to return stuff unfortunately. This is another reason I like vintage stuff. I can hear it first.
Thank you again, and have a great week. ✌️
Hi Scott...First off all you should know that I don't like tubes that much and secondly is that I have the most linear DAC and preamp I know. (Element X and HPA4) People can call then clinical, but they are not, those are simply getting out of the way of the music. Transparency and details is about disappearing from the chain, not about "beautifying" or "brightening" your music. KEF Ref 3 are not clinical sounding. Transparent, detailed and extremely fast sounding? That is my short description. I hold transparency and speed above anything else. If it's clean and decays naturally, then it's right up my alley. S125 has the right amount of power, slam, transparency and decay, I think its a giant killer. It will be discontinued soon, so get it while there is still stock. S300 will be its replacement at 2.5 times more expensive.
Finally an amplifier to drive the Susvara😀 Just kidding, Great review, Sandu!
Hi Sandu, are you going soon to review the new pré amo S4 from keces?
Dude, nice review and grats on the speakers! :D
Hey mate, Reference 3 are not mine, Yet. It's a loaner for two weeks, needless to say...I never heard something better at my place, engaging and hard hitting all the time.
Is the HE-Adapter necessary when driving susvara? How about 1266?
The s125 seems very dense to me. Is the s300 crisper/brighter than the s125?
Hi,
S300 is pretty much the same but more technical and more detailed sounding . You can make S300 slightly crisper if you use Low-Bias Mode and you can make it more like S125 with its High-Bias Mode.
Looking at the Keces E40 for low to moderate level listening. My question, is the preamp section of the Keces E40 good enough to bring out the best or close enough with an amp such as this or a bit lower (S125 now discontinued but Keces may come out with something in-between) when used together? One of the points I need is if I want to use the Keces E40 as a pre down the road. I know it's just an opinion. Thanks.
I have reviewed the little E40 just few months ago, check my videos. Wonderful little amp working always in Class-A. It drove very well a pair of Buchardt S400. E40 sounded even warmer and more natural than S125 and S300, probably because it always works in class-A. Decent DAC section and great integrated amp section.
Looks like a huge beast device, but I guess that is okay with the amount of power this amp holds!!
Great review.. looking forward to the Benchmark ahb2 test...🤘💪
DC servo cleaning up the signal? Very interesting. I would think DC servo operates below 1 Hz.
Dear God! How much power is that thing sucking in? I know electricity is cheap in Romania but do you happen to know how much wattage would it actually drain for say 60-80w of power? Thanks Sandu and congrats for the review! :)
S300 is a power amplifier, there is only an On/Off button, it is sucking 1000W or nothing at all :)
Those Reference 3 are the best sounding speakers you heard?
Not really....Heard better ones on multiple occasions..Raidho D5.1 was the most transparent loudspeaker I've experienced and there were more, but a lot more expensive than Ref 3
what are the dimensions and weight of the amp?
Dimension (WxDxH): 300 x 279 x 133 mm
Net Weight 14KG
I'm surprised for having that large of a toroidal transformer that its wattage is quite lackluster. For instance Monoprice has the monolith 2x that has a toroidal Transformer that 800va yet it puts out 200 watts in 8 ohms and 300 watts into 4 Ohms. The Monoprice also weighs in at about 50 pounds. The Monoprice has the better value
Monoprice is bottom of the barrel when it comes to audiophile grade amplifiers.
Monoprice isn't even audiophile grade. It's Home Theater grade. Great for your average consumer that can't hear the difference anyway. But no one that actually recognizes good sound would buy one of their amps. It's just off the shelf transformers, and some old technology made by either ATI, or Emotiva (the amp modules), and put into a custom case. IOTAVX did the same thing with their AVXP1 7 channel amp, although it sounds much better then any Monoprice. But, if you consider wattage, weight, and transformer size to be most important (for some strange reason). Then yes the Monoprice is the better deal.
If however you're concerned with actual sound quality. You could save your money, and get something like a Rega io for $600, Cambridge Audio AXR100 for $500, Yamaha A-S801 for $650 refurbished, Marantz PM6007 for $700, Arcam SA10 for $800, or a Rotel A11 Tribute for $800. Any of which will sound much better then the Monoprice for less, but not nearly as good as the amp reviewed here. That Keces is a BEAST!
BTW unless you have the hardest to drive, most insensitive speakers ever, and want to go deaf. You'll probably never run that Keces to full volume, same for the Monoprice. So the wattage isn't very important. The high current is though, because it will control your woofers, which keeps distortion low. I'll take a 100 watt high current amp (one that doubles to 200@4 ohm preferably), over that 200 watt Monoprice, any day of the week.
@@egnw0 you haven't a clue, it's made by one of the highest grade manufacturers around. ATI is highly regarded. Gene from audioholics review and hooked it up to his $50,000 status Acoustics speakers and he said it sounded fantastic. You obviously have no clue. So you consider Keces audiophile. They are no name and have no platform in the USA. Please do some research.
@@amb3cog you are obviously Clueless. Gene from audioholics has been in the industry 2-channel and home theater for the last 30 years or so. He hooked the Monoprice up to his $50,000 status Acoustics speakers. He said it sounded fantastic. You obviously haven't heard the Monoprice. Also Monoprice is yes made by ATI which is one of the more highly regarded amplifier manufacturers around. This is hilarious that you are attempting to compare KECES....... who has virtually no presence in the United States to an amplifier made by ATI. It's absolutely obnoxious and ridiculous.
@@ryanschipp8513 I can't tell if you're being serious or trolling.
Why, Why, Why... One more thing to buy. You're a very bad man for making me want the S300. I have the Buchardt S400 speaker and the Matrix Audio Element X. No more please...
My KEF Reference 3 review will be coming soon too :)
It looks like an ugly Quad ⏏⏹⏺⏪▶⏩⏸