Cambridge Audio AXR85

Just upgraded from the q150s to the LS50 metas, pairing them with a Cambridge audio AXR85 and a kef kht 3000 sub. Don’t have my dac or music library setup yet, but even Spotify over Bluetooth already sounds better than the q150s and I can’t wait to get them dialed in. That being said, I still think q150s are the bargain of the century if you can get them half off (which is pretty easy to do if you’re patient).

One is a Behringer A800 that was pre-amped by a Schiit Jotunheim 2, and the other was straight through a Cambridge AXR85 - neither are considered high end by any means. The Behringer + Jot 2 combo didn't sound any different versus just playing straight from the Jot 2 on it own, but the AXR85 did help provide a noticeable bass shelf and quelled some of the treble.

I have only ever heard the one HE6se v2 that I own, and my current chain is from a Bifrost 2 to a Cambridge AXR85 speaker amp. It's not that my other headphone amps don't suffice, but there is that little extra *something* this Class AB amp does to the sound, which puts a bigger smile on my face. The fact that it can pull double duty to drive my Emotiva bookshelf speakers, for nearfield listening, is icing on the cake.

I would avoid powered speakers, they can be a great value, but I want the ability to change out the amp in the future. Amps: Denon PMA600ne, $499, Cambridge AXR85 $549, or Emotiva TA1 $549. All three have phono preamps, DACs and Bluetooth.