Set-up
Contents
The Keces E40 replaces a Bryston B60r in the system below:
- Audio vector Qr1
- Metrum Acoustics Onyx
- Nad M50
- Rega Planar 2
- IsoAcoustics Aperta 155
- Wiring: Audioquest, Supra, Grimm
- Testosterone
What immediately strikes you is the exceptional low-end that this amplifier sends through our speaker. We have seldom heard so much power and control from such a small box. The Rega Brio is the closest but the Keces E40 goes far beyond… Bizarre. A lot of modern monitors can use a kick in the butt, but of course it’s important to keep an eye on them. With our little Cabasse Surf mini-monitors it was sometimes too much of a good thing.
As with everything in audio, the interaction between the different components (and space) is essential. It may not work at all, just sound good, or magic may happen. Our Audio Vectors with their ‘pure piston’ technology have no problem with that extra shot of adrenaline. They just think: Bring it on! These speakers continue to amaze and transform us again and again with the Keces E40 from a fresh to, dare we say it, rather warm and full sounding speaker.
Balancing exercise
Although the first few minutes seem a bit too much, the beats remain tight and fast. It is mainly getting used to because we simply do not expect this at the Audio Vectors. But after half an hour we don’t notice it anymore. There is a warm blanket over the presentation / sound. But in a good way. After a few days we find the sound very pleasant and complete. We have the idea that the treble sounds a little milder and less sharp, but without sacrificing detail. The Audio Vectors seem perfectly balanced. Nice!
Voices get more body and instruments sound less shrill. Especially for inferior recordings this amplifier is a godsend. But in the end, it is, course about the total picture. A budget amplifier can not conjure up all instruments and voices very precisely on stage, but there is more going on. The playback is not only fun, it is also sufficiently exciting and sophisticated to satisfy even a seasoned audiophile. We rarely if ever see both elements so well combined in this price range.