$4000 budget for amp and preamp


Hi all,

Been a while since I posted here...  Been searching the hell out of AVS, ASR and Agon and I can't decide on next steps for my system.  My 2-channel set up has been, for a few years now, QoBuz > Audirvana > Wadia Di122 > Simaudio i-3 > Totem Rainmaker.  This sounds pretty solid in my 10' x 10' home office.  I've been trying to listen more in my living room since I bought a new house.  I've got my older HT there - Streaming or PS3 > ifi DSD or Simaudio D100 > Integra 50.2 > and my new Revel F35's + SB 1000 Pro (plus a Wharfedale center that I picked up on the cheap because wifey liked that it was the same color as the F35's).  I'm pretty satisfied with this set up - but really just for HT.  I'd like to make this my main listening room and I'm wondering if I should just switch to a 2.1 set up.  

I've tried my i-3 with its HT bypass > Integra and I wasn't impressed. I really couldn't tell the difference, to be honest. I tried Direct, Stereo and my native 3.1 with various sources.  I have six Acoustimac 2x4 foot panels that I've yet to hang.  I tried this with and without Audyssey, Dynamic EQ, etc.  

So.  2-channel with a nice amp and pre combo - maybe SS amp with tube pre (+ remote)?  I'm good with used and have always loved the thought of owning an AR tube preamp, but I haven't heard one in such a long time. I was thinking of going a couple different ways.  On the lower end, two Schiit Vidars and a balanced preamp?  There's a mint LS17 SE listed here for $2,200 and I could stretch to allow another $2k for an amp.  I'm also wondering how modern preamps stack up to the older AR models.  Or, should I be looking at something like the Parasound P6?

If the Benchmark AHB2's were available, I might have already pulled the trigger.  Anyway, I'm spinning around here trying to figure out this first world problem.  I've got a 14 X 12 x 11' ceiling room and I listen to rock and hard bop most of the time.  I think I'm okay with the F35's and I'm glad I didn't spend a couple thousand more on the Klipsch Fortes that I so desperately thought I wanted.  When I had a chance to audition them, I thought they were just awful.  To be fair, the room was a warehouse, they were about 5' apart and they were hooked up to a Denon AVR.  

If I got this set up right, I'd probably spend about 80% of the time with music and the other 20% with Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.  After rereading this, I'm not sure what I'm even asking because there's so much information.  Maybe it's how can I best spend $4,000 for the F35's?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.





chuke076
The Benchmark AHB2 + Topping pre90 + Ext90 (if you need more XLR and RCA source connections). This system will cost you $3850 purchased new. I maybe willing to sell my Topping pre90 + Ext90 since it does not work well with my CODA #8. I will be putting it into storage shortly once another preamp is returned from repairs.

The Topping pre90 is like the Benchmark LA4 (so very neutral and clean) and actually measures a bit better. The LA4 is more robust (works with everything) and much better feature wise. However, when the pre90 is matched properly with an amp, the pre90 is very similar to the LA4 sound quality wise. One of the Stereophile reviewers uses the AHB2 + pre90 combo on his main rig. I did too for a while but went back to the LA4 (long story).

I tried the following amps with $599 pre90:

1) LSA Voyager 350 GAN (does not work well, too loud)
2) CODA #8 (does not work well, too loud)
3) Benchmark AHB2 works great
4) Parasound A21+ works great ($3500 new)

With the AHB2 + pre90 combo you are taking the neutrality of the system to the extreme. You will really only hear the sonic character of your source.
I just recently put together a second system. Parasound Hint Halo 6… very quiet integrated with plenty of power + HT bypass
B&W 805d3
Two REL T7x. 
Sounds beautiful, but sound is always to your preference. Good luck as there are many choices.
Check out Belles Aria preamp and amp at $1500 and $2000 very good sound and made in NewYork if you can swing $500 more get the mono blocks

Enjoy the Music
Tom
I have the Raven Blackhawk and the Peachtree preDAC and the
GaN400.

Both are awesome, both around $4000.