Active Kef LS50

[saintintn]

What are you guys using for multiple analog sources?  I’m using a Rogue Sphinx amp as it has an incredible phono stage and have my turntable and SACD player (analog) going into it. Have used my Dragonfly Red DAC via usb and Roon for MQA as well, but prefer using the usb input on the LS50W with an ifi purifier 2. Have thought about using a vintage Marantz or Yamaha receiver with preouts as their phono stages are very good and I love the vintage vu meters. I hide my Rogue in my cabinet.

[saintintn]

Yes, into RCA input.  You use Dragonfly for MQA decoding from Tidal. It's an MQA Renderer.

[saintintn]

I’m using a Mac Mini via USB from Roon.

 

I think the rca analog is just as strong as the other connections, if not stronger.

 

I tried streaming via AirPlay to my toslink connected 3rd gen Apple TV.  It was quite underwhelming. Now that Roon connects wirelessly to the LS50W’s, that’s the way to go, IMHO. 

[saintintn]

Well, this is a new one. Have had my LS50W’s for just under a year and had the right channel stop outputting sound. The selector on top still lights up and the left channel still puts out sound.  Tried all inputs (WiFi, analog, optical, usb) and balance knob on back of left speaker. No sound from right channel.  Bizarre. Sent them back to KEF so they could see what’s going on. Anyone else run into this?  

 

Btw, best sounding speakers I’ve ever had. I won’t be swapping them out for something different. 

[saintintn]

Tried that. Didn’t help. 

[saintintn]

I find that the Roon wifi connection is best with my LS50W's.  I agree that my analog sounds better than my USB, but it's close.  

[saintintn]

It’s funny, I have been away from listening to these speakers for about two weeks and spent Friday night listening to Tidal via the KEF Stream iOS app.  It sounded amazing. Honestly I’ve got Roon (MAC) and a huge collection of FLAC and DSD files and I’m scratching my head as to why I need any of that.  I’m streaming Roon via wifi, but why bother?  Has something changed?  I don’t remember Tidal through the iOS app sounding so good.