Levinson or Krell

I have heard both extensively. The Wilsons are very revealing speakers but a little on the dry side by themselves, in combination with the Krell they get pretty analytical and fatiguing after a while. However being this a matter of preferences, I acknowledge that many people like this combination. I have a good friend that has it with also a Krell cdp/pre unit, extremely revealing but a little bright arid and fatiging. You have a much better front end (one of the best) so should'nt be as much.

Levinson gear on the other hand, would give you a more musical and less analytical/fatiguing presentation. However if you want to really get your system to play music, do your self a favor and try the Lamm M1.1 hybrid monoblocks. They are mainly solid state amps. with superb punch and a single tube in the gain stage that will give you an superbly musical presentation with all the virtues that any Krell or Levinson gear may offer and much more,check it out.

If for any unthinkable reason you are not convinced with Lamm, other worthy alternatives and better matches with your speakers would be Jeff Rowland (specially the old gear, 8Ti and 9Ti) or Ayre. But please, whatever you do, stay away from Transparent cables which tend often to be combined with the Wilson/Krell combos, (more brightness into your system) unless of course, that is your prefered sound, in that case just go ahed and remember is the music that matters, enjoy it.

I have heard your speakers with a Krell FPB 200, ARC VT 200s and Reference 300 Mk IIs, VTL 150s and Lamm ML1s. Quite frankly, any of these will give you a lot of musical enjoyment; I thought the Krell to be too analytical for my tastes, but I'm a tube lover so you should recognize my bias (I thought the Lamms and ARC 300s were the best with them, FWIW). Given your preamp, the Levinsons might be a better choice than the Krells, simply for the synergy of the same manufacturer's sound. However, if you liked the way the Krells reproduced the bass with the Watt/Puppies and that was what you liked best about them, I'd say go with the Krells, because none of the amps I've heard seem to be able to control bass as well as the big Krells do (others may reproduce a fuller bass, but not have that absolute control over the speaker in the deep bass).

IMHO the Wilsons sound more like live music with Krell. The Levinson doesn't seem to have the speed and dynamics that the Krell provides. Just my opinion. You should be able to audition both with out to much effort. At these prices, I'd listen to a lot of alternatives as well. I haven't heard the Wilsons with as many other electronics as the previous posts. Though I haven't heard the Wilsons with them, I have always liked the Pass gear!

People who say that the new Krell amps are not musical and are fatiguing haven't listened to them. They are some of the best sounding amps I have ever heard and I have heard and owned almost everything from OTL tube amps, Audio Research tube and solid state, Conrad Johnson, VTL, BAT, Levinson, McIntosh and many more I can't begin to list. And in addition they will drive any speaker out there to it's fullest potential.

I went down the same route I think levinson is warmer and smoother than krell but krell is straight forward, super fast and very revealing and very much so with watt puppys. I ended up with linn klimax solos they split the difference so well speed of krell and detail and warmth of levinson. You cant go wrong with either of your choices it depends on your stlye of music, your associated equipment and what (sound) you are looking for. good luck