2. amps-preamps
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Advice wanted

I am looking to set myself up with a decent system now that I have moved continents and city (I am on an overseas posting).

I am looking at the following two possible combos but would be very grateful for any help on making the right decision.

My options are:

Combo 1:
Wadia 830 Cd player
Krell KSA 50s or KSA 300s power amps
Aragon 18K pre-amp

Combo 2:
Gamut CD-1
VTL MB 250 power amps
VTL TL 5.5 pre-amp

(Incidentally, the above two combos can be mixed ie Wadia with VTL.)

I have left my speaker options open at the moment as I am still looking around for a good deal.

In terms of my musical inclinations, it is very wide, from sould, funk, rock, metal, R'n b, Hip-hop, Brian Eno ambient releases etc.....its very wide and general......I like to have a warm, rounded sound with excellent detailing and imaging presence...

Both combos are available to me at very very good prices and I am not going to upgrade for a few years at least. So I need to make the right choice.

Also, I will be returning to the UK at the end of next year and I need to make sure that the set I have will be serviceable there.

So many questions, need lots of help, gratitude all around!!!
sabbah730550
pbb
1,140 posts
 
I would pick speakers first and find amplification to get the best out of the speakers chosen. If you do it your way, my suggestion is Krell, since it can probably drive the proverbial brick. The VTL preamp seems more attractive to me, for very fuzzy reasons I must add. I have never heard the Gamut player but the reviews are very positive and the price quite decent if one believes the level of sound quality the rags are touting. Make sure that the units can be made to operate at the different voltages found either side of the great pond. Good luck.
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
I am not sure what your budget is, but if you are doing digital only system take a listen to the new Audio Synthesis DAX Discrete Variable designed and manufactured in the UK. Skip the preamp and go direct to your amp. Obviously you need to figure out what your speakers are going to be before deciding on an amp. The Audio Synthesis is incredible.
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
I'll second the consider skipping the pre-amp suggestion.
For one reason or another my pre-amp needed some TLC. While it was at the "spa" I borrowed a friends Canary Island Audio VPC.1 volume control.
The pre-amp has since been sold and I bought the VPC.1.
The only down is no remote, but in my house it's only three or four paces to the unit and I'm not to the point of total laziness... yet.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I would settle in on my speaker choice first and then get an amp that can do the job. Your choice of speaker will dictate amp needs. This may also save you some $$ in the long run as there is no shortage of good amps out there.
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