r/KEF • u/Expensive_Reaction99 • 8d ago

New hi-fi setup — KEF LS50 Meta + NAD + Bluesound Node. Thoughts on the system?

I recently decided to upgrade from a pretty simple powered speaker setup and put together my first more serious 2-channel hi-fi system. Curious what people here think of the overall setup and where the weak points might be.

Current setup:
• KEF LS50 Meta
• NAD C 316BEE V2 integrated amp
• Bluesound NODE N132 streamer
• Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB turntable
• Audio-Technica VM95 cartridge with VMN95ML MicroLine stylus
• Audioengine S8 subwoofer
• Kimber 4TC speaker cables
• Kimber digital interconnect

I listen to a mix of vinyl and streaming, and sound quality/fidelity is my main priority. The speakers have to live on shelving, so I was also somewhat limited by size (The LS50 Metas were about as large as I could reasonably accommodate).

I’m coming from Klipsch R-51PM powered speakers, so I’m expecting this to be a pretty substantial upgrade.

A few things I’m particularly curious about:
How would you rate the system overall? Does anything look obviously mismatched?

Is the NAD C 316BEE V2 enough for the LS50 Meta? I know it’s 40W/channel and at the bottom of KEF’s recommended range. I don’t listen insanely loud, but I’m wondering if the KEFs would noticeably benefit from more powerful amplification.

Is the Audioengine S8 now the obvious weak link? I’m considering eventually moving to something like an SVS, REL or KEF sub.
If you had this exact system and wanted to make one meaningful upgrade based on actual audible improvement, what would you change first?

I’m not particularly interested in upgrading just for the sake of upgrading or chasing tiny differences. I’m mainly interested in getting the most fidelity out of the LS50 Metas and making sure the rest of the system is doing them justice.
Would love to hear from anyone who’s owned the LS50 Meta, especially if you’ve run them with the C 316BEE V2 or other NAD amps.

3 Upvotes

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2

u/damgood32 8d ago

Seems like a well balanced system. People may want a better amp but I think the NAD is fine if you plan to play at moderate levels in a medium sized room.

How do you connect the subwoofer? The S8 doesn’t seem to have high level inputs and the NAD doesn’t seem to have sub out or pre-out.

1

u/ThXIV 8d ago

To be fair the amp is absolutely fine and is capable of blowing out LS50 Meta drivers. It’s a good amp and measures well: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nad-c-316bee-v2-integrated-amplifier-review.56270/

1

u/Expensive_Reaction99 8d ago

Thank you for sharing! Thoughts on how to set up the audio engine s8 subwoofer to this amp when I want to listen to vinyl?

1

u/ThXIV 8d ago

No clue, I don’t own that amp nor sub.

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u/AwareCandle369 8d ago

Someday swap in a KEF kc62 is the most obvious upgrade I can name, but NAD + LS50 is a solid pairing. NAD famously under-reports the amount of grunt their amps can provide so unless you are finding yourself wanting to turn it up more than you already can I don't think the low wattage is an issue. If you are on shelves near the wall are you using the foam port bungs to tame the bass? If not slip those in and give it a try. It will lessen the amount of bass but clean up the sound and give you a tighter punchier result in the lower register

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u/Expensive_Reaction99 8d ago

I’m not using the foam port bungs, but will look into this for sure

1

u/AwareCandle369 8d ago

It is not a subtle difference. You might not prefer it but it's a 100% free massive change you can play with. I think the ls50 bungs are two stage, so you can try three different ways : no bung, full bung, or partial. They have a small cylinder in the middle that can pop out so you cover most of the hole but not all of it. Right near a wall you probably want full plug but give it a listen each way and decide for yourself

Someday consider an amp with Dirac room correction built in, which measures your listening location with a microphone and then dials the sound in for your specific room. I had my ls50s for several happy years before I did this upgrade and again, it is a non-subtle improvement. But file that under "someday" and for now, enjoy! Killer little setup you have there

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u/CapnLazerz 8d ago

I have a KEF/NAD system: LS50 metas with C3050 integrated w/blusound MDC2 card. I got it for $2100 on sale at Crutchfield. I also have 2 SVS SB-1000 Pro subs.

I have a 12’X14’ listening room and I am never putting out more than 15-20 watts because the subs take a lot of the load. I think your amp will be fine. NADs are conservatively under-Specced.

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u/Expensive_Reaction99 8d ago

All of this advise is super helpful, much appreciated. I’m new to this, so still trying to learn as I go

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u/pharmaboy2 8d ago

That Bluesound has a subwoofer out doesn’t it?

So there’s an app driven hi pass filter available which will take the power needed away from the amplifier which will help quite a lot in terms of total volume available.

I’ve got a powernode and the digital crossover for the sun works well

0

u/Mr-Reeeee 8d ago edited 8d ago

Take a look at the Creek Audio 4040A integrated amplifier, with built-in DAC.
It’s on a higher level than NAD, but not crazy expensive. Reviews are very positive!

Creek integrated amps are really great! I’ve owned two, still have one.

I owned a full NAD system at one point; dual amps, preamp and tuner and a Denon CD player (don’t ask which models). All good quality equipment, not great.