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Anyone know what amps the Kans were originally developed with? I assume a Naim pairing of some kind.
Could you elaborate on why you prefer the k20 is it because it’s easier to manage?I ran black Kan 2s on Exposure XV for about 15 years and that was great with Valhalla LP12 - much less so via CD.
Prefer Kan 1s now though and own 2 pairs but always with vinyl. They sound quite differnet to one another but both are more exciting and alive than Kan 2s - I had kustone and non-kustone 2s until recently. In fact, if the OP purchased a kustone pair on ebay then he probably bought mine as they were superb condition.
Lastly, prefer K20 to K200/K400/NAC-A5 but I'm in the minority there
I recently compared A4 and K20 again but using old Kan 1s and still prefer K20. I just find K20 lets you enjoy the music more easily - it makes more sense and is more engaging. A4 sounds cleaner and tighter though.Could you elaborate on why you prefer the k20 is it because it’s easier to manage?
I've now had about 15-20 pairs in the past few years and there's much variability. I was told by someone in the industry during the 80s that the KEF units used to vary in quality a lot and this was one of the reasons KEF produced the SP1057 version used in later Kan 1s and the Kan 2. However, the revised model isn't a true mid/bass unit and whilst they do the Hi-Fi stuff better, they definitely have a thinner / bass-light sound. It's actually hard to get a very balanced sound from them even with MC cart, pre-Cirkus bearing and a NAP250. I wonder if you heard this later version, launched in '85 IIRC. Unfortunately, the caps have drifted a lot now, esp the early ones, and they can sound quite shut in and a bit congested.This is fascinating stuff.
Many moons ago I heard a pair of Kans ( not sure if Mk.1s or Mk.2s ) on an all-Naim system.
If I recall correctly, an LP12 with an MC cartridge ( make forgotten ) was also used.
Using a well-known LP ( mine ) the sound was harsh, thin, lacking in bass and didn’t image
to any extent.
Admittedly it was decades ago and sound reproduction has improved.
Well, in some areas it has...
This is fascinating stuff.
Many moons ago I heard a pair of Kans ( not sure if Mk.1s or Mk.2s ) on an all-Naim system.
If I recall correctly, an LP12 with an MC cartridge ( make forgotten ) was also used.
Using a well-known LP ( mine ) the sound was harsh, thin, lacking in bass and didn’t image
to any extent.
Admittedly it was decades ago and sound reproduction has improved.
Well, in some areas it has...
Well today, I happen to be listening to a pair of Kan I and I'm struck by the extraordinary imaging of a classical symphony on them. It's the first time I've succeeded in arriving at a good result well away from the walls, and for the first time I'm using an SVS subwoofer. They are hooked up to my Quad IIs. Lovely stuff.Not sure any Kans image all that well.
Does anyone have experience of the KuStone vs Non KuStone Mk2s ?
That sounds like good advice TBHI’ve had both, but not at the same time! My favourite pair of Kans were my last which were a beautiful teak pair of Ku Stone IIs. They were a great pair of speakers and certainly sounded more natural over the midband than I had before, but I can’t speak in absolutes as I used Kans at so many different times over such a long period and in very different rooms and systems. They were always my default speaker for a small flat.
To be honest I’d buy Kan IIs on condition rather than spec. I don’t think there is that much if any subjective difference. They all sound like Kan IIs!