KW500 + PSU & KW25 DAC
Earlier this year having read many forums and reviews (and also having heard a friend’s non-upgraded A5, I took a gamble and acquired a KW 25 CD, a KW 25 DAC, KW500 & associated PSU for sale on ebay.
Set it all up, using our own branded cables (interconnects/balanced cables/toslink/speaker cables and power cables) driving a pair of Kralk 30/4 speakers. Power cables all plug in via a PSM 1512 Puritan block.
The DAC had already had a stage 1 upgrade, completed by John a year or so before I bought it.
The system sounded great, but sadly the DAC Toslink input was damaged in that it would not grip the toslink cable as securely as it should. I looked around and did some research on JS Audio and John – one of, if not the, leading specialist in servicing, repairing and upgrading Mus Fid (as well as other brands of high end) equipment.
Having read the testimonials and knowing the results we have had on a personal level, where we have carried out service/repair/upgrades to vintage speakers along with the odd tweak to more straightforward amps, I telephoned and spoke with John about his work, the different upgrades and what each entailed.
John was happy to advise and discuss what the main benefits would be of having the KW500 & PSU upgraded. The repair to the DAC toslink input was not a big job, but is often something that requires repair at some stage, being a common weakness of that unit.
Having discussed things with John, including timescales etc. for the work to be carried out, I decided to go ahead and have the stage 2 upgrade to the amp and PSA alongside the toslink repair. I am so glad that I had the conviction to do so. No regrets whatsoever and money very well spent.
It also made sense to me in that, given that the equipment was pushing towards 20 years old, no doubt many existing parts were probably getting tired. A complete overhaul would also, more than likely, set the equipment up for another 20 years.
On its return I plugged everything back in I let it play for 5 or 6 hours before sitting down for a listen.
However, first impressions were not what I had hoped and were underwhelming to say the least. But, knowing what I know, I put another 20 – 30 hours or so of airtime into it and then sat down and listened to it again.
The results were beginning to show through:- more clarity and separation, deeper sound stage, hidden background vocals coming to the fore, instruments more lifelike and with better placement in the overall soundstage, whilst the bass carried good weight, but at the same time was articulate and detailed without overpowering or drowning out the wonderful mids and articulate sweet top end. All this being delivered quite effortlessly.
An improvement across the board in terms of performance and overall sound. £20,000 on new speakers and an amp would not necessarily have provided the improvements I was now enjoying across many different genres, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Lady Gaga, Paloma Faith, Eva Cassidy, Stevie Ray Vaughan Ami Winehoue, Diana Krall, Royal Philharmonic to name but a few.
For anyone in a similar situation I can only advise that a stage 2 upgrade, with John, is very well worth the effort, both financially and sonically, and is, in all honesty, a no-brainer. It takes you to a whole new level in terms of music pleasure, no matter what the source.
There was minor problem with the power side, on one of the protection relay circuits (I think it was) but John quickly sorted this minor niggle out. It did not actually stop me from using the system, it just meant having to turn my DAC off and on again to effectively by pass the relay circuit.
Another 50 hours or so of play time and things have improved further. Drums and bass guitar become more vivid in the overall soundstage but remain crisp and controlled without impacting the mid and high end. An example is Adele 25 album, it is as if she is singing right in front of you with her band just sat behind her on the stage – your own real life concert – wow!!.
John a big thank you for your time, patience and skill. I will certainly be advising customers to consider upgrading their existing equipment and I am certain I will be sending equipment down to you in the future.
Rating 11 out of 10 !!