Arcam SA30 and Kef R7 or Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2

1

Hi there.

I’m in the market for a new pair of speakers and I’m really in love with the KEF sound. I’m seriously considering the LS60, which would make my SA30 redundant, but I’m still open to passive speakers as well — in particular the KEF R5 and R7, mostly because I love Dirac.
I compared the Arcam SA30 + R5 to the LS60, and I slightly prefer the way the LS60 presents music. I found the sound to be more precise, and the sense of immersion very appealing and satisfying.The R5 had a more conventional way of presenting music: still very precise and engaging, but the LS60 disappear more, and you really feel surrounded by the music.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to test the R7. According to the dealer, the SA30 might not be the best match for the R7 — and that’s where the Sonetto comes in. To support his point, we tested the Arcam with the Sonetto. The result was quite disappointing. In particular, the double bass in “So What” (Kind of Blue) was a mess — very present, but just a big blur. I honestly couldn’t believe my ears: I would never have expected such a result.

We then switched to an Atoll IN400, and it was much better. Still not my favourite — the LS60 or even the R5 + SA30 handled that specific passage better. The Sonetto still sounded a bit overemphasized, but at least I could clearly recognize the instrument.

I had to leave, so I couldn’t continue the test with other tracks (and I wasn’t particularly interested in those speakers anyway). But that experience really shook my confidence in the Arcam’s ability to be a versatile amp that can pair well with speakers that aren’t especially demanding.

Can anyone relate to this?

2

That does surprise me too. I drive a pair of Dynaudio Contour 20i’s and just to verify, I played that song and did not hear what you are describing…

The C20i also is around 4ohm. So I find it strange that de Sonettos are making the life of the arcam so difficult. Maybe it is a particular mismatch.

But hey. If you like the LS60 the most, than you’re choice is made. Not?

3

Yes, the choice is almost made. I’m just a bit hesitant to give up the flexibility of a separate-component system, and, of course, Dirac.

4

Bin there. I returned to separates…

5

What you got as stand alone?

6

As speakers

L+R Dynaudio Contour 20i. Centre Dynaudio Evoke 25c. Surrounds Dynaudio Audience 40 and Elac pipes. Ceiling and sub are B&W. Surround amp Denon x6800h, cd player Adcom, blu ray 4K from Sony. +an Apple TV 4K and of course the SA30.

7

You can do EQ in Roon to tune the LS60’s…

But you’ll have to install the Roon server on something that’s always on.

It would be a clean system though. Almost no cables if you only use streaming as a source.