Build a new system around pair of Snell Alll's?

When a speaker does as many things well as the Type A's do, a relative shortcoming becomes that much more pronounced. As already mentioned, soundstage depth is probably their biggest shortcoming. But, that does not mean that there is NO depth; there is. The B&K receiver will stifle a lot of the depth information before it even gets to the speaker. Electronics that excel in the depth department will allow the Snells to produce sufficient depth to possibly satisfy, IMO.

Marty, out of curiosity, did your friend use tubes or SS?

To this day, one of the most memorable systems I have ever heard was in a showroom at the downtown NYC, Sound By Singer. Snell AIII's, VTL 300 mono's, Audio Research SP14, Roksan table, Koetsu Rosewood Sig., MIT cabling. It's been about 25 years and I remember it like it was yesterday. "peach fuzz" feel of tubes? Not a chance. Beautiful tonality with very dense images and rich timbre, and some of the best imaging I have ever heard. I have been lusting after a pair ever since, but have never had the right room for them. I really think you are making a mistake ruling out good, modern tube amplification for these wonderful speakers.

Tccaux, 300w of quality tube amplification would be expensive. But, who says you would need 300w's? Read these comments by Peter Qvortrup, CEO of AudioNote UK, who now manufacture variants of the classic Snell's:

http://db.AudioAsylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=speakers&n=181344&highlight=Snell+type+AIII&r=&search_url=%2Fcgi%2Fsearch.mpl%3Fforum%3Dspeakers%26searchtext%3DSnell%2Btype%2BAIII

Your B&K is a nice receiver. I own the 307 in my HT setup driving
Totem's. But, the B&K's are not known for their performance into lower impedances. The 707 is rated at 125w into 8 ohms with no indication of the output into 4 ohms. My 307 puts out 150w into 8 ohms and 185 into 4 ohms; a far cry from the ideal "doubling of power" as you half the speaker impedance. The Snell's are rated at nominally 4 ohms, with probable dips somewhat below that, and 86db efficiency; not exactly an easy load. Having said all that, as the audio cliche says: "It's not about the number of watts as much as the QUALITY of the watts".

I like tubes, and the stereotype of tubes necessarily sounding soft and mushy with "peach fuzz" is simply not true. What a good tube amp gives you is a sense of dimensionality and tonal correctness and fullness that many SS amps don't give you, IMO. While it is true that great SS amps can surpass many tube amps in bass control and power, many tube amps do very well in that department. This is a subjective opinion also shared by many, but tube amps also give the music a sense of aliveness (dynamic energy) that only the very best (expensive) SS can give you. Certain speaker/tube amp combinations just seem to have "the magic". That is what I heard with the Snell/VTL combo. Please remember that these are my opinions, and I fully expect some who read this to disagree. Another thing to consider is that the most often stated shortcoming of the Type A's (lack of soundstage depth) will be somewhat compensated for by what is one of the fortes of good tube amps, their superior rendering of dimensionality.

When I mentioned the VTL/Snell sound, I was not suggesting that the Type A's would not sound good with SS, only that they CAN sound fantastic with tubes. I have heard the Type A's sound great with Krell amplification, and I have no doubt that they would sound great with other
QUALITY solid state like Levinson, Classe and others. All simply more capable than a B&K AVR. But, it's a different kind of sound. Your choice.

As price is concerned, there are options available used right now that would certainly pique my interest. As far as tube amps go I would say $1500-$2000 is probably rock bottom. An older 150+w VTL could probably
be had for that, and there is a Jadis Defy7 for sale right now that is a fantastic amp, and I think would be fabulous with the Snell's. For SS and in that price range you should not have trouble finding a used older Krell, Levinson, Classe, and for a lot less, maybe a McCormack, or Bryston.

If you are not familiar with this site, it might be of interest:

http://www.snell.no/forum/index.php

Good luck.

Ohnwy61 makes some good points, and I like the idea of Rowland amps.

Tccaux, the B&K gear is not bad. And sure, upgrade your amp and keep your preamp and you would probably have an improvement. But, IMO you are really limiting what that speaker can do using the receiver's preamp section. And how can you be sure that it is not the preamp itself that is the cause of your dissatisfaction? You certainly could try it, but I would be prepared to get a better preamp in the future. And BTW, no reason you can't use a tube amp with a SS pre (even your B&K; for now).

Great that you are getting to hear different things, but be very careful about conclusions based on listening to other speakers; especially as different as the 801's are from the Snells. I thought you were taking the Snells to the dealer?

BTW, which integrated did you listen to? All three amps you mention are power amps. Also, which amp was too warm you?

Tccaux, listening to your Snells with a variety of amps is a fantastic opportunity. If the Snells are keepers (I think they should be), you are doing exactly the right thing. I would only encourage you to approach it with an open mind. "Neutrality" means different things to different listeners. I personally think the Snells are definitely closer to neutral than not; MY definition of neutral. But, I think a lot of audiophiles (perhaps most) would think they are more on the romantic side of things given their very full bodied sound, and dense images. I am not familiar with the mc stuff you have listened to so far, but can't encourage you enough to listen to them with tube amps if you have the opportunity at the dealer. Tubes don't have to mean too dark and with rolled off highs. You are going to the trouble of going through this, I think you owe it to yourself to experience what tubes can do with these speakers. You may decide that it's not for you, or that you can't deal with the hassles (heat, etc.), but you may just be blown away.

Excellent! have fun, and don't forget to bring some of your favorite music.

Thanks for reporting back. I think what you are doing is just great, and an invaluable experience. I am not surprised by your reactions/comments. We sometimes get used to excessive brightness and think it is more lifelike or "live"; until we hear how right music sounds without it. Your reaction to the vinyl setup is, likewise, as expected. I think you are definitely on the right track to putting together a killer system; you are openminded and willing (and able) to reconsider your preconceptions. Have fun and please keep reporting back.

Good for you! BTW, your posts should be read by all the cynics who believe there are no decent dealers out there. Never heard the Magtech gear, but sounds like a great match for the Snells. Personally, I would look at a CAT preamp. Based on what seems to appeal to you, and the possibility of an analog setup, a used CAT is hard to beat. The dimensionality and magic of tubes with a highly resolved, clear sound. Good luck.

How's it going?