Kef C40

[xs1]

Hi all

 

I thought I'd start a thread aimed at hopefully helping me making an amp choice.

 

As you can probable tell I am a bit of a noobie to HI FI, so any info will be really useful.

 

I've currently got a pair of KEF C40 speakers, here's the relative link; http://www.kef.com/history/1980/c40.htm . I now have to match this to an amp. As I am on a “student budget" I've gotta do it cheaply. My main contenders are a NAD C320 BEE or Rotel RA01. I've also been surfing trademe and ebay and watching an audiolab 8000S for Aus $400.00.

 

So, for those who know these speakers, can I get your input in which integrated amp would best suit, or even just your thoughts on a good entry level components I should know about (If need be I’ll sell the KEF’s).

 

Cheers

 

xs1

[Coops1553552671]

The C40's being a 34 design (floorstander with its arse cut off) & not hugely sensitive (although 91's pretty good) would appreciate as much current & wattage as you can give them. They also have a fair bit of surface area in the two main drivers for a smaller amp like the 320 or RA01 to control properly. Aim for 80 to 100 watts to really drive them properly, especially if you want to be able to crank them up a bit.

 

The C40's are relatively warm & not too revealing in the top end so NAD or Rotel would give them a nice tickle up being a bit on the forward side. So good choice of brands for them but I personally think you should extend the student loan & get the next model up in either range .... just for the extra wattage to control those two bigger drivers.

 

You'll find it will also give you more & firmer bass & a more open sounding midrange.

[xs1]

Thanks Coops.

 

I decided on the NAD c320 bee, it's only 50w per channel but by all accounts it a solid 50. I did look at the budget blowout C370, but compared to only $599.00 for the C320 I couldn't stretch it.

 

This review that paired the C320 against some inefficient speakers swayed my option, http://www.videohifi.com/nad_c320_eng.htm

 

Thanks again for the advice.

 

I’ve got to wait until the weekend to test my new system, if your interested I post my opinions of the setup once it's settled in.

 

XS1

[xs1]

Well I had the part of weekend to play with the system and from initial thoughts; great clear mid and top range but no bass. I mean there is virtual nothing below 200 Hz.

 

I tried to listening to favour of mine, John Coltrane's Supreme Love. There is a 5 min double bass solo of which I basically can't really hear at all let alone enjoy. I can tell something is coming out of the speakers but I can't tell it's a double bass.

 

I guess the whole process of getting a system to really hear music is a long learning curve.

 

In the defence of the system, I only had some cheap speaker cabling and a cheap interconnects (a 3 metre proal RCA cable). My starting point of change is to DIY some cat5 speaker cable and I’ve also brought 8m of QED original cable. I am also getting some IC on loan, which I probable return and DIY some.

 

I'll let you guys know how much difference it makes but I might be pinning my hopes to high on cabling.

 

If anyone has input into what I can change, let me know.

 

XS1

[PartTimer]

200 Hz, thats a bizzare cutoff point. Definitely not the amp, and am sure those Kefs handle down to ~60Hz fairly well, so....What kind of CD player are you using?

[Coops1553552671]

Somethings wrong if those speakers aren't giving you any bass. Check to see if you have them both wired correctly, if ones outta phase, that may explain the bass problem.

 

Otherwise you have a fault somewhere in that system if you really aren't getting anything below 200hz. Even tiny bookshelf speakers like a pair of Paradigm Atoms can go well below 100hz & the C40's have two big 6 inch plus drivers.

[Super_BQ]

My friend owns a pair of C40 and we just finished building his 807 PP UL tube amp (20 w/ch). Sounding quite nice though I believe the "UltraLinear" design of the circuit is a contributing factor. Regardless of speaker, the amp will always shine!

 

BQ

[ColinWalkington]

I have been lurking for over a year watching the nonsense on this site. Hi Fi Looneys are alive and well and in their abundance.

 

Well the reason is this (I think)... C40's were world champions at blowing up, and I think that maybe one of the woofers has been replaced out of phase. They have 2 woofers and this will account for the loss of bass. Check the + and - contacts for correct connections. I would say that almost every set of C40's has had a few drivers replaced in their life. Really, they are very much last century, and don't hold too many hopes for them compared to new stuff.

[Jay1553552669]

 

Originally posted by ColinWalkington

 

I have been lurking for over a year watching the nonsense on this site. Hi Fi Looneys are alive and well and in their abundance.

 

 

 

 

You make that sound like it's a bad thing

[xs1]

 

Originally posted by PartTimer

 

200 Hz, thats a bizzare cutoff point. Definitely not the amp, and am sure those Kefs handle down to ~60Hz fairly well, so....What kind of CD player are you using?

 

200 Hz is not so much a definite cut off point, its just anything below is very faint and trails off.

 

The CDP is technics SL-PG35. I've checked for material on this CDP but haven't turned much up. It was a gift. I spoke to an audio tech who said is a mid range technics player.

 

I’ve tried altering the phase of the speaker connections but with no change. I actually opened one of the speakers and checked drivers. Both the drivers (in the one I looked at) were wired correctly, e.g. purple to purple and red to red. I can also feel the bass driver move when playing.

 

I didn't realize the C40's were known for blowing up. How can you tell if the speakers have been replaced? Also, if I try reversing the wiring for the individual drivers can I damage the amp or crossover?

[ColinWalkington]

Hello XS-1

This is what you do to check everything is in phase.

Connect a D size battery up to the input terminals on the back of the speaker. Keep the - connected on the battery with your big finger, and click the + on with your wee finger. If all the woofers move out at the same time, then they are in phase. If one woofer moves in, then that woofer is connected out of phase. If all is well, then all is lost.

[xs1]

Thanks Collinwalking, everything seems to be in phase.

 

What I have noticed though, is that changing the cabling has made a difference. It hasn't added more bass exactly, but it has removed a sharp/harsh top end that I didn’t initially notice (I must of heard but not recognize it). By removing the sharp top end it has balance the sound and revealed more bottom end.

 

It has definitely made listening more enjoyable.

 

On the flipside, it sparked an interest in trying different components. I am going make my own IC with some solid cat5 and will look to moving into a more American or Canadian sounding speaker.

 

Thanks all for the advice

 

XS1

[Ayn Marx]

 

Originally posted by ColinWalkington

 

I have been lurking for over a year watching the nonsense on this site. Hi Fi Looneys are alive and well and in their abundance.

 

 

 

And what qualifies you in particular to make such a remark petal?

[Ivors Bitch]

Oh, I think Colin has been around enough to tell a lettuce from a cabbage...

[Ayn Marx]

 

Originally posted by Ivors Bitch

 

Oh, I think Colin has been around enough to tell a lettuce from a cabbage...

Darling, that's a very unfortunate analogy. Oz lettuce crops have recently been wiped out by a nasty black aphid imported all the way from NZ.

My question was a serious one however. It often helps to know the background of someones experience in order to determine what perspective a comment is coming from.

[Ivors Bitch]

Hi Ayn.

 

Sorry about the lettuces....

 

 

Wanna buy some...? GE, Nuke and black aphid free...

 

 

Colin hasnt been selling veggies for the last few decades.

 

Hes been a great retailer down South NZ for as long as I have been here, and considerably longer, I believe.

 

Welcome to the forum Colin - glad youve stopped 'browsing' :rolleyes:

[Ayn Marx]

 

Originally posted by ColinWalkington

 

Hi Fi Looneys are alive and well and in their abundance.

 

 

 

You ain't seen nothin yet honey.

 

 

 

Snip<.......C40's were world champions at blowing up, and I think that maybe one of the woofers has been replaced out of phase. They have 2 woofers and this will account for the loss of bass.

 

Who the hell does that kind of work? Even this prematurely senile old audiophool knows not to ignore the + & - signs. Mindboggling! Would we put up with the equivalent in auto servicing?

[Ivors Bitch]

 

 

Would we put up with the equivalent in auto servicing?

 

 

Frequently!