KEF X300A My solution to bringing music to another room

[Ebeauchamp]

Hi Richard, thanks for the detailed explanation of your setup. It's very well described and useful. I am proceeding now with the purchase of the X300A speakers. I was wondering if you could share the model of the speaker stands shown in your pictures? They look like a great fit for these speakers. Thanks, Erik.

[Clemmaster]

Hello Richard!

Many thanks for the thorough review and all the details you gathered from KEF Direct.

 

I, however, have 2 questions:

- Will the analog input (Aux) bypass the internal DACs and signal will be transmitted to the slave speaker (through the USB cable that links them together) as an analog one? Or will the analog signal be converted to digital (by mean of a ADC), processed by the internal equalizer (DSP), sent to the slave speaker digitally and finally converted back to analog using the internal DAC?

Now that I think of it: do both the speaker have a dedicated DAC? Or does only the master speaker feature the DAC (stereo) and the signal sent to the slave speaker actually is analog?

 

- You mentioned the Airport Express as one possible way of transmitting a wireless signal to the speakers. I didn't really understand how you connect them together though. The basic way would be to use the analog output of the AE to connect the Aux input. But, as I understood it, you actually can connect the AE to the speakers using the USB output of the former?! Did I miss something here or did Apple finally enable USB Audio output on their Airport?

 

Thanks,

Clem

[REShaman]

Hello Richard!

Many thanks for the thorough review and all the details you gathered from KEF Direct.

 

I, however, have 2 questions:

- Will the analog input (Aux) bypass the internal DACs and signal will be transmitted to the slave speaker (through the USB cable that links them together) as an analog one? Or will the analog signal be converted to digital (by mean of a ADC), processed by the internal equalizer (DSP), sent to the slave speaker digitally and finally converted back to analog using the internal DAC?

Now that I think of it: do both the speaker have a dedicated DAC? Or does only the master speaker feature the DAC (stereo) and the signal sent to the slave speaker actually is analog?

 

- You mentioned the Airport Express as one possible way of transmitting a wireless signal to the speakers. I didn't really understand how you connect them together though. The basic way would be to use the analog output of the AE to connect the Aux input. But, as I understood it, you actually can connect the AE to the speakers using the USB output of the former?! Did I miss something here or did Apple finally enable USB Audio output on their Airport?

 

Thanks,

Clem

 

Clem,

As the literature states at KEF Direct and in reviews, each speaker contains a Dac. The left speaker has a volume control but on the back and the right speaker contains a balance control.

 

I am told by one of the KEF Direct internet specialist that the USB connection to the left speaker has precedence over a simultaneous connection to the Aux. in reviews, it is stated that if one uses the Airport Express, one is limited to 44.1/16 even though the Dac is capable of 96/24.

 

Not sure what you mean about USB and audio enabled when using Airport Express. While I have not used the Airport Express to stream music tomthe KEnF X300A, I understand that one can send audio data to the left speaker from APE with the limitation of resolution to 44.1/16. There is a link at KEF Direct for a review that refers to this. You can even plug in a bluetooth device that KEF Direct offers to stream to the left speaker.

 

Yes, of course, the right channel isntransmitted via the connecting USB cable between right and left speaker.

 

ADC? Recommend you contact KEF Direct, directly (pun intended) and put your questions tomtheir staff specialist so that I do not misinform you. As I did not pose some of your questions for answers you are asking me for. Bestm to keep the information reliable.

 

Hope this was somewhat useful,

Richard

 

In

[REShaman]

Clem, here is the link for the review. Perhaps you already readbit. If not,

 

KEF Direct

 

Best,

Richard

[REShaman]

Clem, again from that review (link I supplied) in the comment section.

Best,

Richard

 

I found the following comment in your review a little strange: "The X300A's built-in DAC sounded sweet, but it didn't come close to my desktop reference Schiit Audio Bifrost DAC ($449). I also preferred the sound of the HRT MicroStreamer ($190) over the KEF DAC, it wins on resolution of fine detail."

 

That comment seems to imply that there is an analog signal path through these speakers. There isn't. You never avoid using the KEF's built-in DAC. The analog input in the KEF X300A is digitized by a WM8782 ADC, then processed by a DSP, then sent to the KEF's internal DAC (a PCM1754 in each speaker).

[Clemmaster]

Thank you Richard for the involvement and the answers.

 

I read that review and I was about to make the exact same observation before I read this comment and saw it's been already pointed out.

 

As for the Airport Express, one has 2 ways of taking the sound stream from it:

- In analog, using the dedicated jack output. If the above comment is right (unless the connection between the 2 speakers is analog, the signal from an analog source (in the Aux input) must be digitized by an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) before it is sent, digitally, to the slave speaker. That slave speaker will then convert it back to analog using its dedicated DAC.

- Digitally, using the TOSlink (optical) output hidden in the same jack. But, the KEF don't have any SPDIF input (coaxial or optical), so this connection is physically impossible. The only way to get digital audio entering the KEF is by mean of its USB input. I saw here and there that using an Airport Express, you would be limited to 16/44.1 even if the KEF feature a 24/96 DAC. This 16/44.1 is a limit of the Airplay protocol used by the AE. It's been known for ages and that's not a concern for me. My concern is that I understood this statement as: "you can connect the AE to the KEF an use their internal 24/96 DAC, but it will be limited to 16/44.1". Since the only digital input on the KEF is USB, I was assuming that, finally, connecting a DAC to an Airport Express on the USB port was now enabled. It seems it is not the case and one must connect the AE to the KEF using an analog jack. So the signal will be converted by the AE once, then digitized again in the KEF (by the ADC), processed by the equalizer and converted back to analog by the KEF's internal DACs.

 

Best,

Clem

[REShaman]

Thank you Richard for the involvement and the answers.

 

I read that review and I was about to make the exact same observation before I read this comment and saw it's been already pointed out.

 

As for the Airport Express, one has 2 ways of taking the sound stream from it:

- In analog, using the dedicated jack output. If the above comment is right (unless the connection between the 2 speakers is analog, the signal from an analog source (in the Aux input) must be digitized by an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) before it is sent, digitally, to the slave speaker. That slave speaker will then convert it back to analog using its dedicated DAC.

- Digitally, using the TOSlink (optical) output hidden in the same jack. But, the KEF don't have any SPDIF input (coaxial or optical), so this connection is physically impossible. The only way to get digital audio entering the KEF is by mean of its USB input. I saw here and there that using an Airport Express, you would be limited to 16/44.1 even if the KEF feature a 24/96 DAC. This 16/44.1 is a limit of the Airplay protocol used by the AE. It's been known for ages and that's not a concern for me. My concern is that I understood this statement as: "you can connect the AE to the KEF an use their internal 24/96 DAC, but it will be limited to 16/44.1". Since the only digital input on the KEF is USB, I was assuming that, finally, connecting a DAC to an Airport Express on the USB port was now enabled. It seems it is not the case and one must connect the AE to the KEF using an analog jack. So the signal will be converted by the AE once, then digitized again in the KEF (by the ADC), processed by the equalizer and converted back to analog by the KEF's internal DACs.

 

Best,

Clem

 

Precisely, Clem, as you state. I was disappointed early on when I discovered this limitation even before I received delivery. Because I was one of the early preorders KEF Gifted me iwth one of their bluetooth devices. But as this is also hampered by 44.1/16, I merely but the device away. I never even attempted to use the Airport Express.

 

Instead I ordered two 5m USB cables in advance and becuase of the proximity to my main system connected the KEF X300A to my Mac Mini using AMS (Audio Midi System) to choose between my Wyred 4 Sound Dac2 and the KEF X300A for output.

 

Then settled back to enjoynthe system(s) depending on in which room I happen to be sitting. With my iPad 2 access is highly convenient and Amarra 2.5 Symphony performs flawlessly for me though I do not use Preload with the KEF X300A when playing music for my wife during her massage as the wait time is unsuitable.

 

Your understanding of the limitations is accurate; and I am hoping your experience of the performance will be rewarding nevertheless. It is for me configured as I described for my situation.

 

Let us know, when you can.

 

Enjoynthe music,

Richard

[wgb113]

Richard,

 

You've had about a year now with the KEFs. How are you liking them? Any regrets?

 

Bill

[REShaman]

Richard,

 

You've had about a year now with the KEFs. How are you liking them? Any regrets?

 

Bill

 

Bill,

 

Your timing is prescient.

 

They play beautifully. Lately, I am having trouble with some HDtracks DLs that are 88.2/24 and 176.4/24. Some time ago I replaced the Cables To Go 5m USB cable terminated with mini B on one end with a newly released Wireworld 5m USB cable. I don't know what is causing the intermittent static with those particular resolutions which only occurs with the auxiliary setup and not with my main system (same tracks). Can't be Amarra Symphony 2.6 with iRC which has added significantly to the SQ for the KEFs in my office study room which is what DRC is supposed to do. The cable? The KEF Dacs? Haven't sorted it out.

 

Regrets? As my software player of choice is Amarra Symphony 2.6 with iRC and does not down sample with the KEF X300A Dacs limited to 96/24, my tracks at higher resolutions cause Amarra to delegate play to iTunes for resolutions not supported by the KEF Dacs. The SQ is very decent with iTunes but that requires me leaving the room to change the resolution, which defeats my use when iTunes is the player. That is a regret, but not a huge one. Still...

 

Consequently, I am considering selling my KEFs for the KEF LS50 and buying separates which will add up in costs and defeat the advantages of the KEF X300A's self contained AB amps and Dacs at a significant savings while delivering what it does well Very well. Weighing the advantages vs disadvantage, I have not acted on my preferences.

 

To answer your question, putting my preferences aside, the KEF X300A perform very well. As an auxiliary system, I am more than satisfied which soothes the itch to scratch with an upgrade as it is truly meant to be an auxiliary system and my main system is used 90% of the time. If the limitations I described are not deal killers for you, I am comfortable recommending the KEF X300A (still).

 

Good fortune with your decisions.

 

Enjoy the music,

Richard

[wgb113]

I'm actually trying to decide whether I should push my brother into trying them out. He's having a hard time getting his MMGs to sound right in his room and I think the KEFs might be a good fit for him. Prior to the Maggies he was using a pair of Nola Lil'Rascals.

 

Bill

[REShaman]

I'm actually trying to decide whether I should push my brother into trying them out. He's having a hard time getting his MMGs to sound right in his room and I think the KEFs might be a good fit for him. Prior to the Maggies he was using a pair of Nola Lil'Rascals.

 

Bill

 

Hello Bill,

 

Those brands are hard to beat. And I have not heard either the MMGs or the Nolas.

 

Wondering if the LS50s are more appropriate. However, the need for more equipment and cables can add up significantly. The W4S Mini Pre and Amps are a lovely combination and well reviewed at 6Moons but then one is in the territory of $5000 with everything including cables Whereas with the KEF X300A with stands (Sound Anchor works wonders) and cables somewhere around $1500.

 

I use the KEF X300A ten to fifteen percent of the time. I must say, they are NOT fatiguing and the SQ is very enjoyable. DRC has improved on the SQ but that is what is being fed to them and they oblige by passing the improved SQ to the listener. I have them on stands and do not use the plugs. The bass is more than adequate, truly. They are true to the sound. Feed them badly produced tracks, they oblige and play them as such.

 

Of course, any assessment is subjective and what your brother may prefer matters most. I doubt he would be disappointed with the combination of amp/Dac/KEF used. I'll ask the obvious question, anyway: Is there any opportunity to hear them in advance?

 

That's about it from my end. But I am available to answer anything else you might be interested in asking.

 

Good fortune with your advice to your brother. Hearing them should make it an easier decision. What else is new?

 

Enjoy the music,

Richard

 

[wgb113]

I'm not sure he'd be able to try them before buying as the closest dealer is a bit of a haul and by appointment only. I've considered lending him my Q300s or LS50s. He's liked both here at my place so I know he likes the KEF "sound". We'll see I suppose.

 

Bill

[REShaman]

I'm not sure he'd be able to try them before buying as the closest dealer is a bit of a haul and by appointment only. I've considered lending him my Q300s or LS50s. He's liked both here at my place so I know he likes the KEF "sound". We'll see I suppose.

 

Bill

 

KEF Direct is in New Jersey. Anywhere close to your brother? I am sure they would audition them for him if he arranged for one. They're very friendly. Good fortune in any case. BTW: You know they also now (actually for some time) offer a wireless edition of the KEF X300A.

 

Best,

Richard