Keces Audio E40 Stereo Hi-Fi Integrated Amplifier
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ม.ค. 2020
- Can you get a fully loaded stereo amplifier that comes with a remote control, phono stage, USB port, headphone jack all of top quality for sensible money?
We take a look at the £549 wonder box from Taiwanese manufacturer Keces Audio
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Had this amp for over a year now and it is very, very good.
Yep, it's a crackling little thing, a lot of sound for your pound.
@@EdenAudio Don't see why these are not more popular even against the competition.
Not sure if your from the UK or not, but my impression is if it's not from a British manufacturer and hyped up by a certain magazine people just wont even look.
@@EdenAudio Just a suggestion, if you still have the display unit Keces e40, would you consider reaching out to A British Audiophile? He's a great reviewer of budget higher end gear with a sizable following. He's in your country. I think it would serve the Keces well and improve sales, IMO.
Regarding the Keces E40 dac section, do you think it is good enough at its limited 16-bit / 48kHz resolution to sound as good as say a mid tier dac, say around 300 pounds or so would for YT, basic music streaming up to that resolution?
Also, regarding its dac, is the stage more flat or does it give some depth?
The goal is to use something on the desktop. If I want to stream higher quality music I would get a streamer and send to my main system. Thanks. Speakers to be used would be Dali Opticon 1s for nearfield. Any thoughts appreciated.
The on board DAC is OK nothing more nothing less, ideal for those who want a all in one box solution, as you say OK for youtube video, spotify etc but above that on separate DAC will be a big improvement.
@@EdenAudio Thank you.
Hello sir, I have enjoyed your review. What I would ask is that the KECES is said to have a warm but still detailed presentation though rolled off so to say in the highs. I tried a FOSI HD-A1 that some say is similarly described but I found it rather veiled not only in the highs but also the mids as they tried to make it sound "tuby". The FOSI seemingly is of similar power but I have a feeling the KECES is not the same in audio quality. I have a Hegel and find it excellent with my Focals and am willing to give up some capability but not a vieled, dull sound that doesn't allow say sources/dacs to be held back in their capabilities. From what has been described by other reviewers, this integrated is of high interest to me. Being favorably compared to a Rega Brio which I briefly heard but liked, I get the impression it is not so much veiled/dulled in presentation but offers good bloom with tight bass and detail. Would you concur?
The alternative is class D for downsizing weight/size. My listening habits are lower volumes to moderate (apartment). I also watch movies and like clear voicing in 2 channel which is also a function of speakers. This KECES seems like it could fit my needs and lastly, is the preamp section good enough to add a better quality amp if desired? The plan is to add a dac to the integrated which should do everything I need so the internal dac isn't a consideration.
I have listened to a Musical Fidelity M2si (flabby bass and gritty midrange), some class D (either dull or those that do sound decent lack the dynamics of class AB) and lastly a SoundArtist SA-200ia which lacked low end authority and was way too prominant in the upper mids and possibly the highs.
I listen to alot of Piano, sonatas, Nick Cave and other folk, jazz, blues and some rock. I also like depth and instrument separation with enough layers in voice and some airyness/sparkle without being overly analytical...something to grab hold emotionally. Alot of under a grand receivers just sound flat 2-D but at this price, another option could be a marantz receiver though I hope the KECES is a step up or two.
Any thoughts and guidance appreciated.
Hello, thanks for your question. it's a little hard to answer as i'm not familiar with the FOSI nor the other amplifiers you mention. The Keces is an excellent budget to entry level amplifier to be used with speakers I would suggest in the £500-£1000 price bracket. It has an onboard DAC and phono stage which are of decent quality, they don't match separate DACs or phono stages. It has a nice transparent sound, powerful and good detail, ideal for room that are around 15sqm. You can add later the S125 power amplifier if you wish.
It's really hard to say to someone as we all hear things differently, but like I say in a not to large a room with speakers in that kind of price bracket I would really recommend this little amplifier for those who want everything in one box, but if you are going to add DACs and phono stages latter I don't think I would bother and just go higher in Keces range.
HTH.
@@EdenAudio Thank you.
@@EdenAudio Is the pre section good enough for the S125 or like amp?
@@nc3419 Yes I think so, I am using like this in one configuration using Aurelia loudspeakers and it sound pretty good to my ear lugs.
@@EdenAudio Thanks again. I am trying to assemble a versatile system that can be used for either a desktop or room, with added dac and bookshelf speakers.
My main is a hegel h160 which is smooth, with really good lows, linear and some say cooler side of neutral but I think warm enough with Focal speakers to boot. I also have small Triangle Zetas. Some amps are too bright in the upper mids though with French speakers. I may also try the new Wharfedale 12 series.
It seems from reviews the Keces has good low end and low bass presence with a rolled off top end, but how would you describe the upper midrange? How much would I be giving up in instrument separation, resolution and depth of stage?
I think in terms of musicality this little amp might do. In comparison, I am also looking at class d amps such as the XTZ Edge (similar price point), among a few others. The KECES E-40 is also described as having a class A bias which seems to point to being a smoother presentation over say gritty or glassy. I also don't like a veiled, dark presentation which as previously stated the FOSI had trying to mimic a tube like sound.
I think this information would be helpful to me as well as others who are looking for versatility, a smaller footprint yet a more or less audiophile but pleasing sound particularly when one listens at lower volumes as I do.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Have you tested a Primare SPA22 or integrated amplifier I20/21 from them?
Sorry but No I haven't.
Thank you for the review! Is Keces E40 class AB or class D?
Thanks for the comment, it's Class AB. It's good for medium sized rooms, in a larger room it will run out of puff.
@@EdenAudio Any idea if it can be a good partner to ls50 in a desktop enviroment?
@@illialynx2592 I can't give you an absolute answer as I've never tried it with KEFs, but I see no reason why not, I use mine for a desktop system and it sounds stunning, so I think they should work well together near-field.
What is the best amp you have heard in the £1500 price range ?.
Sonneteer Alabaster.
Deal breaker 16 bit come on. That is Stone Age for USB ,DACs cost so little . I would have bought it but this is so stupid of Keces.
Agree, it's a pretty crappy DAC to boot, very flat sounding. The amp is very nice but the DAC section is a bit of a waste and best avoided.
Works well enough for desktop for Y/T and podcasts. Otherwise, hook up an external dac. I currently have two hooked up for comparison. The Keces is good enough to justify a dac costing up to a grand US. For size, weight, and performance of amp section, it's a great product. Been using mine for 2.5 years with no issues. Actually picked up another NIB from a private seller.
Works as a main driver too with reasonably sensitive speakers. It handles 4 ohm loads well but wouldn't suggest for hard to drive speakers that dip much lower and less sensitive than 86dB. I play mine anywhere between 10 to 1 oclock on volume position. very satisfied.
@@nc3419 Yes the onboard DAC is fine for podcast youtube etc. It's a cracking amp, the latter ones have more power to boot.
@EdenAudio Latter ones? Just checked their website and nothing new as far as the amp is concerned. Know something we don't?
@@nc3419 I think they increased the wattage as the spec is different. 40 to 50 watt I believe.