Review: Keces S300 HiFi Power Amplifier

Firstly I would like to thank Keces for sending me this sample to review, they are a relatively small brand but have been coming out with some excellent audio products over the past few years.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings

Tech Specs:

http://www.kecesaudio.com/S300.html

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:

The S300 is a heavy unit, it comes double boxed in 2, heavy duty cardboard boxes. Inside the amp itself is held tightly in place by dense foam inserts, it is very secure during shipping, but there isn’t any fancy retail packaging as such. It’s a power amp at the end of the day, and the box is there to provide protection, not sit on a shelf looking pretty.

Much like previous Keces products the S300 is incredibly well built, with a solid chassis and hefty weight to it. The aluminium panels are very thick, which provides rigidity along with blocking EMI/RFI interference. The inputs and outputs are all sturdy and heavy duty, and I cannot fault the build quality, it really is a solidly built amplifier.

Accessory wise you get a power lead and a manual along with the warranty slip, to be fair there isn’t anything useful that Keces could have included anyway so no complaints here.

Features:

First off, the power LED on the front can be a little bright, I would have liked to have seen them include a slightly more subtle on/off LED light. The low/high bias light is better in this respect. The front on/off button is functional and the company logo really stands out.

On the back you have RCA and XLR inputs, along with the speaker outputs, a single +/- for each channel so there is no ability to bi-wire with this amp. The outputs can be bridged so you can run 2 x S300’s as mono blocs. The input is controlled by a small switch, as is the stereo / bi-amp / bridged mode. There is another switch on the back to control high or low bias – in high bias you get a full 5w per channel in Class A before it switches to class A/B.

Towards the bottom of the back you have a 12v input and loop out so it can be switched on automatically in a 12v system.

The S300 might look small, but inside they have focussed on making it pack a punch. They put effort in to the part that counts, and kept the rest of the unit fairly simple yet functional.

Sound:

I have had the S300 in my system for a few weeks now to really have a good listen and spend some time with it, and if you want to know what Keces are about the S300 really showcases it. You get a completely silent and black background, and out from it appears such crisp and clean sound that is controlled yet powerful and realistic. It also depends on what mode you use the S300 in, personal preference leans towards high-bias but it will change depending on the system it is installed in.

On low bias you get a slightly more clinical sound through it, transients seem a little snappier. It is still a natural and enjoyable sounding amp in low bias, but it sounds a little thinner and more focussed on technicalities than reproducing a smooth and effortless sound. So if you have a warmer, smoother setup the low bias mode will help keep it in check and bring out excellent clarity in the mix.

High bias is my preferred setting though, as the S300 simply sounds effortless with perfect timing and tonality and pin point accuracy when it comes to placing instruments within the soundstage. It disappears in the system, pumping out a sonic performance that is both technically impressive and audibly utterly enjoyable. Like the S125 which came before, the S300 has the technical prowess to wow listeners, whilst also having a very enjoyable and realistic tonality that makes it a pleasure to listen to. It’s no slouch and easily keeps up with anything you throw at it, and therein lies it’s strength, it works wonders in most setups.

Bottomless depth from the bass, an open and honest midrange paired with an open and airy, yet wonderfully detailed and natural treble make the S300 a really impressive product. It might not look like much, but behind that industrial looking black box is a very well thought out amplifier circuit. They have put effort into delivering clean power by the bucket load, and this current delivery is what puts these kind of amps a class above cheaper designs.

Conclusion:

Keces might not be the most well known brand, but those that have heard their products rarely have anything bad to say. The S300 solidifies their standing in the hi-fi world, packing a huge punch in a small chassis, it can easily take on the big boys and hold its own. The S300 provides a rich, open and natural sound backed up with impressive detail retrieval and technical ability. It is in my opinion, well worth an audition if you are looking for a new power amp.

Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (That power LED is just a tad annoying)