Need advice picking out an Amp for my LS50's

[Alex00322]

I'm going to be purchasing a pair of KEF LS50's in the next few weeks. I will be using them as computer speakers.
I would love to receive some advice on what amp I should get. This entire setup will need to fit on my desk. I'm not exactly cramped for space but I can't have something gargantuan either. Something with a built in DAC would be nice as well. Also, what do you guys thinking about getting desktop speaker stands? Just something short and solid to lay them on.

So far I've been looking at NAD C375BEE DAC and the NAD C275BEE with a MagicDAC Plus. What do you guys think? Any suggestions and ideas will be much appreciated.

 

[macddmac]

How big's the office? A NAD D 3020 might get it done for you and has the dac built in
Cheers,Mac

 

[Alex00322]

Ah, sorry. I should have said that I need at least 100 watts per channel. I don't want to starve the LS50's and they need at least 85 per channel. I looked at the NAD D 3020 today and it's very nice. Just doesn't have the juice unfortunately, as it'd be the perfect solution.

 

[macddmac]

Ok,if you want lots of power in a compact form, how about a W4S's mint. Cost is 1500.00 but its a little beast at 100wpc, integrated dac and well reviewed. It's also overkill IMO for a desktop system but a very nice pice of equipment all the same.
ymmv.
Cheers,Mac

 

[Alex00322]

Why do you think it is overkill? Obviously I won't be blaring the speakers at their max when they're right in front of my face. But I want to insure they're never starving for power. Is 100 really overkill?

 

[ImcLoud]

I use an Emotiva mini x with a d1 dac, sounds and works excellent. Your speakers are 85db sens. so 50 watts will get you 102 db ea at 3 feet... I can't put mine half way up. Are you going to use a sub?

I would buy an svvs sb12 nsd sub and make use of the internal high pass filter on the sledge amp, then grab an innexpensive dac like the muse or d1 and a small amp like the mini x, apa150, or topping tp60...

 

[Ponzio]

Why do you think it is overkill? Obviously I won't be blaring the speakers at their max when they're right in front of my face. But I want to insure they're never starving for power. Is 100 really overkill?

I agree with you about not wanting to starve the LS50's; they are hungry little buggers. I know, I own a pair and I think your spot on with wanting a minimum of 100 WPC. But I'm a bit confused on why you plan on putting them on your desk or on stands right in front of your desk. I have mine set up about 5 to 6 feet away and 8 feet apart and the soundstage is fantastic. I may be wrong but I feel you're not giving them enough room to give you the maximum depth to shine. You my want to consider getting an A/V rack (not the space eating monster like mine below) and get a standard AVR (most of the models in the last 5 years have built-in DAC proccessors), like a Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, etc. or a 2 channel amp. The advantages of an AVR are obvious for future consideration with their built-in flexibility for HT use (center channel, subwoofer, surrounds in addition to the 2 front speakers, HDMI pass-thru, etc.). Here is my setup with a Yamaha RX-V2700 with 140WPC and a EMP Tek 1010i sub to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

 

[macddmac]

Your near field use of the of the LS 50's won't require any more than the first watt of output from your amplifier, allowing for headroom of roughly 15 db with the NAD D3020 amp. An upgrade to to the NAD 7050 would net you a couple more db and a 100 watt amp would get you close to the max 106db output of the LS50's.
If you are contemplating other placement options, I would recommend a more robust 4 ohm rated amp.
Crutchfield carries the compact NAD lineup with an easy return policy,so it's a fairly risk free proposition if you decide you need more amp.
Just my opinion and no, I don't own any NAD or KEF. I have listened to the LS50's a few times and absolutely loved em! Enjoy whatever you decide on.
Cheers, Mac