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Replacements for Dynaudio Floorstanders

Hi there.

My current system is made up of the following: Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk IIs, Krell 300il, Benchmark USB DAC, and a laptop with lossless music.

I'm looking to introduce a little warmth in my system, seeing as the Dyn/Krell/DAC combo has miles of resolution, but doesn't offer much in the way of engagement. I'm considering selling my Dynaudios for a warmer pair of speakers that I hope to find on Audiogon. $4k is my limit. My thinking is a used pair of B&W Nautilus 802s or 803s. What other suggestions would folks have, in terms of speakers that have similar resolution to Dynaudio's stuff, but offers more warmth and darkness? One outside consideration of mine is a pair of Mirage OMD-28s. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
velociti
ryder
1,689 posts
 
It might be due to setup or the room. How big is your listening room and how are the Dynaudios set up in the room? Are they close to wall boundaries? Are your equipment on a proper rack? Move your speakers around and try treating the room for a free fix. If all else fails then replace the DAC and/or the amp assuming you like the Dynaudios.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Good recommendations and it can help, but I think the essential character of the Benchmark combined with Krell and Dynaudio trio is never going to be warm. OP also wants to keep the electronics and change the speaker anyway. I do think Vandersteen might be a good option with the electronics, and certainly more full range, especially the 3A Signatures.
erikminer
433 posts
 
Good luck young Padawan.. Lots of speakers out there that are warmer and that are higher performance than your 1.8's but the Benchmark is always going to be bright and dry sounding, choosing speakers to compensate for that seems a bit ass backwards you might find that replacing the Benchmark with a Dac that isn't bright dry and sterile sounding will have you loving what you have and costing you less $$. But hey half the fun of this hobby is the learning curve, why should anyone spoil it for you :-)
macd
103 posts
 
Like I really dont want to hate on Krell. I owned a krell a few years ago and it was overall a very nice sounding amplifier. But I do believe synergy is key here. Krell and Dynaudio (in my case it was Totems that had dynaudio drivers in them) tend to sound slightly on the cool/detailed side. Dynaudios are amazing speakers and I really think just making an amp change would make you happy. Plinius SA100 mkIII or a SA102 are amazing amplifiers with liquid midrange and approching krell bass. Hope you get it figured out!!
rhmmmm
25 posts
 
Not sure where you are right now or if you've made a decision, but I had my Krell 400xi running with a Benchmark DAC and Dynaudio Contour S3.4's a couple years ago. In my case, I found the lack of warmth to be the Benchmark DAC - I found it to be harsh and "in your face." I replaced it with the Electrocompaniet DAC and it's been a fantastic setup since. I also upgraded to the Dynaudio C1's and love the sound even more.

So, for warmth, my vote would go to re-evaluating your DAC situation, but I don't think that's what you want to hear :-)
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