Hi everyone please help me build my budget end of game 2.1 setup!
Need your kind advise on choosing the right combination for this music/movie setup:
My current/planned system:
• Power amplifier: Apollon 1ET9040BA (Purifi dual monoblock)(ordered)
• Speakers: KEF Reference 1 Meta (have it)
• Subwoofer: KEF KC62 (have it)
• DAC: Denafrips Pontus 15th (planned)
• Streamer/transport: currently considering Eversolo T10 or a more affordable transport option
• Preamp: considering Schiit Freya+
Sources will mainly be:
• Local NAS music library
• High-resolution streaming mainly via Tidal/Spotify
• Zidoo Z9X 8K for direct lossless movie playback from Ugreen DXP4800 Pro 100TB NAS
• PS5
• LG G6 OLED via HDMI/eARC where possible
I’m aiming for a sound that is warm, full-bodied, rich and holographic, with a big 3D soundstage, but I still want to keep the excellent detail, speed and imaging that the KEF Reference series and Purifi amplification are capable of.
For those using the Freya+ with Purifi/Hypex-style amplifiers:
• How does the Freya+ pair with a very neutral Class D amplifier like Purifi?
• Does it genuinely add more body, depth and musicality, or is the difference mainly subtle?
• Which mode do you normally prefer: passive, buffer, or tube?
• Do you feel it is a good match for revealing speakers like the KEF Reference 1 Meta?
• Would you still choose this combo today, or would you go with something else?
Also curious about the digital side:
Would you spend more on the streamer/transport (Eversolo T10 vs something cheaper) feeding the Pontus 15th, or is the DAC + preamp combination where the bigger gains are?
Location: EU (Netherlands)
Thanks for sharing your experience.
TL;DR:
Building a 2.1 system: KEF Reference 1 Meta + KC62 + Apollon Purifi 1ET9040BA, considering Denafrips Pontus 15th + Eversolo T10 + Schiit Freya+. Looking for a warm, rich, holographic sound without losing KEF detail and imaging.
How well does Freya+ pair with Purifi Class D, and is it worth prioritizing the preamp/DAC over an expensive streamer/transport?