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Amp or speaker first, upgrade

Hello audiogoners, it's the Brahman on a beer budget with an upgrade dilemma.
I currently have a Krell s300i, a pair of Definitive technology bp8080 as my system.
Now, I want to upgrade both but, one at a time and was wondering which of the two 
components should I dispense with first?
Here are the amps I've been looking to audition, Icon Audio st40 mkiiim, Luxman 505ux, McIntosh Ma5200
and Prima Luna Dialogue Premium. As you can see there is a solid state in the bunch.
As for speakers, I'm interested in the Vandersteens 3a signature, the Sonus Faber Venere S, and the 
Wharfdale Jade 7. I know this topic has been brought before so I'll welcome some new and refreshing
ideas and comments! Thanks a bunch Audiogoners!

barbman
jl35
4,013 posts
 
in your particular situation I would do the speakers first
ricred1
2,041 posts
 
Speakers "usually" have the most impact.
marktomaras
544 posts
 
Absolutely speakers.  I have owned Def Tech speakers, and when I upgraded them to a far more sophisticated speaker (Rockport Mira Monitors) I was extremely pleased.  Overall I was not particularly happy with my def tech speakers (I had the Mythos STS Super Towers) and I kept them for only about a year and a half.

The Krell amp you have has more clout amongst integrated amps than your def techs have amongst speakers.  I'll bet that Krell will really impress you with some good speakers.  In fact, I would recommend putting all of the budget for the amp and the speakers towards the speakers, and keep the Krell for a good while longer.  Sure, you may upgrade it eventually, but in my humble opinion, you'll get more improvement in the system with an outstanding speaker than you will with a speaker and amp upgrade sharing funds.

these may or may not work for your budget or your interest, but there is a pair of Wilson Watt Puppy 7s in excellent condition on agon that have dropped in price of more than a grand over the past few months.  At 4 ohms, your Krell's 300 watts should be fine with them.  I auditioned them (not the exact pair) and was very impressed!. I wanted to buy them, but I was drawn to a different pair of Wilsons closer to home.  As I said, these may or may not be for you, but worth a look and a ponder anyway.
ricred1
2,041 posts
 
As someone who owned Wilson's,  I  encourage you to listen to Aerial 7Ts and Revel F208's depending on your budget.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Amp or speaker first, upgrade

I would do speakers first, as your Krell even though it’s a smaller one it still has good current, being Bi-Polar(BJT) output stage, and will drive most speakers out there and it’s not a bad amp, very good in fact. 

If you do amp first and it’s not as ballsy (current) as the Krell then it may not drive future speaker.


Cheers George

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