Advice For Building System Around KEF 103/3 Reference Speakers

[jnhitf]

Hi all. New member here. Recently inherited a pair of KEF 103/3 Reference speakers. They seem to be in excellent condition (belonged to a late relative who used them but they have been in storage for a couple of years). Browsing the forum and other sites got me interested in setting up a system so that I can enjoy them. My takeaway so far has been that the KEFs are a bit dated but still good, and continue to be well regarded. Here are the relevant details that I can provide at this point:

-Speakers are just two boxes, no stands.
-No Kube with them, however there is a Definitive Technology Powerfield Subwoofer. Don't know much about this component.
-I also have an Onkyo TX-SR505 receiver from a home theater system, circa 2005. This was not part of the older inherited gear, so may not be compatible at all.
-No cables, cords, or other accessories at this point

Would welcome any advice/suggestions on building a basic system around these pieces--or at least the KEFs. I confess I'm not a hi-fi guy, so I'm starting with only the most rudimentary knowledge. I do however have several boxes of old vinyl and CDs that would be fun to listen to again. Overall budget is modest (a couple hundred?), but I would be willing to invest if it would yield a nice sounding system.

 

[jayvis]

You'll have to bump your budget up quite a bit unless you plan on using your Onkyo AV receiver, which I wouldn't recommend. Your KEF 103/3 are 4 Ohm speakers and your Onkyo is only capable of driving 6 to 16 Ohm speakers. Your KEFs need a higher grade of amplification.

 

[Tedrick]

+1. Those KEF's are quite good and worthy of a quality amp and preamp to get the best out of them. I have a pair of 102/2's matched up with an Adcom GFP-750 preamp and an Usher R1.5 (150 wpc). The combo sounds excellent.

 

[jnhitf]

Thanks for the feedback. There is an Adcom 750 preamp, w/ an Adcom 5802 amp for sale local for $2K. Is this the caliber of equipment I should be looking for? (And is that a fair price for this gear?). Def more than I was looking to spend but may consider for the right setup. My question is, is there a less expensive route that would be suitable? For example, there is also a Crown DC300 amp for sale for $275 that seems like it might work. Thoughts?

 

[GChief]

This is good bang for the $. I'm running one with a Schiit Saga +.

Less than $850 for both delivered to my door.

BasX A2 Stereo Amplifier

The BasX A2 the ideal amplifier to serve as the foundation of a great sounding stereo system that powers the front main speakers on a surround sound system.

emotiva.com

 

[jayvis]

And here's a good one box solution. Buying something new will allow you to try it in your system for a while and ship it back for a full refund if you don't like it.

BasX TA2 Stereo Preamp/DAC/Tuner With Integrated Amplifier

Welcome to Emotiva Audio Corporation. Home Audio Systems, Speakers & Accessories and more. We use science to evoke the true emotion behind every note.

emotiva.com

 

[jnhitf]

And here's a good one box solution. Buying something new will allow you to try it in your system for a while and ship it back for a full refund if you don't like it.

BasX TA2 Stereo Preamp/DAC/Tuner With Integrated Amplifier

Welcome to Emotiva Audio Corporation. Home Audio Systems, Speakers & Accessories and more. We use science to evoke the true emotion behind every note.

emotiva.com

This looks like a compelling solution. Great point about going new (and returnable). Thanks.

 

[nailer]

This looks like a compelling solution. Great point about going new (and returnable). Thanks.

Sounds like a winner. Half the price of the used Adcoms, with a phono stage, DAC and tuner. All the bases are covered.

 

[A23gt]

This is good bang for the $. I'm running one with a Schiit Saga +.

Less than $850 for both delivered to my door.

BasX A2 Stereo Amplifier

The BasX A2 the ideal amplifier to serve as the foundation of a great sounding stereo system that powers the front main speakers on a surround sound system.

emotiva.com

What are your thoughts on it being a straight Class B? Do you lose anything to a good Class AB that is audible?

Edit- Never mind. My source of information was wrong. It’s an AB. Says so right on the Emotive website. It sounds like a bargain at that price.

 

[ktm-don]

I also have inherited a pair of 103/3 speaker that I originally picked out and purchased for my sister. I was pretty excited about the KEF's when I purchased them, and they are getting revived after being partially submerged in a 'Texas Flood'. You will be able to find out a lot about these speakers, but here is what I know.

1) The stands are important. The woofer are downward facing in the 103 enclosure, and you need a matching hole in the stands. The bases also allow angle the speakers upward slightly. If you need some help I can measure and take some pictures of the bases that I have. I salvaged some parts of the bases, re-manufactured others.

2) From everything I've read, the Kube is necessary to get the best out of these units. I was fortunate to get the Kube and power supply with my 103/3's, I did find some info on the web about the Kube, they do show up on Ebay occasionally. There were different 'Kube' models for different KEF models.

After repairing the bases and grills, I'll disassemble the boxes to replace the woofer dust caps (surrounds look OK from the outside) and replace the Ferro Fluid in the tweets. I'm very interested to hear these speakers again.

I have a variety of amps that I might use, including the B&O receiver from the original system. I also have a DC300A, my only concern about that amp is that a failure can result in DC at the speaker terminals. Since the speakers have definite sentimental value, that's a concern. But there are aftermarket protection devices that can fix that. I have a Denon PMA-900 rated at 120 WPC that I'm partial to, I will definitely try out that combination. As mentioned in an earlier post, these are 4 ohm speakers, rated at 200 Watts. You are right to look for a quality high-powered solution.

You will find out more with little searching on the AK forum, I think your effort will be rewarded. Good luck building up the system!