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Component recommendations: best bang for buck.

Hello all. My first post for had very little traffic so I figure I try again. I plan on getting a pair of Martin Logans classics down the line. For now I’m looking for recommendations on the best set up for my budget of around 10-15K. My preference: HT and Audio is about 40%/60% respectively. Looking for a scalable system for future upgrades and future home/space addition. My current space is an open concept that measures about 45’x35’, 10 foot ceilings and hardwood floors with area rugsx3.

From my research, mostly reading reviews, I’ve narrowed it down to starting place:

Marantz 8802
McIntosh integrated amp: MA 8900 OR 9000

No specific brand loyalties, however I’ve read that the McIntosh equipment maintains its resale value. Open to suggestions for new or used items and going with separates as well.  Located in Oakland. Thanks very much.
128x128redphu72
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Going with the Krell Foundation option, I've read that I can either go with  a power amp or an integrated amp.  Whats the benefit of one vs. the other?

An integrated amp is just an amplifier has a "preamp" built into it.  This is, essentially, another analog stage that is meant to help shape the sound more and allow you to select from multiple sources as well as control volume.

Since you want a "hybrid" system, you would use your 2-channel integrated as the "amplifier" for the left and right speakers.  You would just connect the left/right outputs of the HT Processor to one of the source inputs of the Integrated Amp.  Some integrateds have a "HT Bypass" or "passthrough" mode that you can use for a specific source.  This will either set the volume at a static point (such as 100%) or bypass the preamp completely.  This way, the HT Processor takes over control of overall volume.  If the integrated does not have a bypass mode, you will just have to set the volume at a specific spot and make sure its the same whenever you want to watch movie/tv.

With the Krell Foundation or Marantz AV8802a, you will need a 3-channel or 5-channel amplifier to power the center/surrounds.  The 2-channel integrated will power the left/right, as I have described above.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Oh, I would post your short list of integrated amps as a new thread in the "Amps Preamps" forum and ask about the differences / sonic signature of your 4 choices.  I don't have any experience with your choices other than the normal "McIntosh" sonic signature.  I would state what kind of sound I was looking for and your exact model of speakers.  Also, list any of the sources (turntable/DAC) that you have.  That will help people advise on your "short list".
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I read your other thread. For what it’s worth, I have heard from two sources that McIntosh works very well with Martin Logan speakers.

Sorry, can’t stop thinking about possibilities. Here’s a radical idea. Get the following and pair them together:

- Krell Foundation 4K

- McIntosh MC303 - 3 channel amplifier.

You might be surprised. The MC303 retails for about $11k I think, but it has come up for sale for about $6-8k used (though rarely). There’s actually one on ebay right now with starting bid of $5800 (plus freight shipping, the thing is 188lbs in the box!!). You can get a nice, but low cost amp for surrounds (for now). The surrounds don’t have to match exactly, but they need to be in the same "ballpark" as far as sonic signature goes. The front 3 channels are the most critical to match sonic signature.

There have been several revisions of the Krell Foundation. Krell has already made a new hardware board to support 4K, and there could be other revisions as well. Definitely several firmware versions. I would look for the latest version on the used market, the "4K’ version for sure.

If the Krell didn’t give you what you want as a 2-channel DAC/preamp, you can always add an external 2-channel preamp in the future to create a "hybrid" system, such as a McIntosh C50 for about $4k, and still be somewhat within your $15k budget.

avlee
84 posts
 
I think the toughest part of all this is that you’ll find that the world
of surround processors is littered with compromises.  For instance, the Classe sigma SSP won’t include a 12V trigger...which might be a deal breaker. The McIntosh MX160 doesn’t have an HDMI 2.0b compliant chipset so you can never get HDR10 or DolbyHDR. The MX122 is literally a Marantz 8802 with some mods. The 8802/Anthem AVM 60s are probably the most solid choices, as in full of features, but the AVM lacks aes digital connectors and the Marantz has an Fm tuner I didn’t care for. The Krell system has a trigger and 2.0b chipset, but doesn’t have a USB port!

it kind of goes on and on. It’s super frustrating. 

Auxinput has a point about the loss of the newer codecs if you bypass the processor to go to the TV. It’s all about compromises, I guess. What can you live with?
redphu72's avatar
redphu72 OP
78 posts
 
Hey guys, can't thank you enough for guiding me through all this mucky muck.  Lots of good info that I need to digest and my head is spinning.  On top of that, I'm trying to get a Sprinter van so I can set up shop for near season of track day/racing.  At this point, I believe I'm going to choose either the Krell or Marantz.  With the Marantz, isn't it more a receiver where theres an amp to drive the center and rear speakers for HT and then I'd just need a 2 channel amp to do the R/L for the audio?  If this is the case, would you recommend the MC402 (only because it's available).
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