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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
rlawry
478 posts
 
You have gotten some good responses so far and I agree that the speakers will make the greatest difference in sound.  One other thing to consider:  single-driver speakers.  I have had numerous multiple driver speakers including some mentioned above, up to $42K retail.  I recently bought some single drivers and had a friend make some simple laminated mdf cabinets, total cost $1600.  I can report that I will never go back to multiple driver speakers; well, I highly doubt it anyway.  Just something to think about.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

As for speakers, keep the Krell (tested at 2x190W 8ohms both channels driven and 324W into 4ohms) as I stated above, and get full range ESL’s (electrostatics) eg: ML cls/quad etc, or next best, full range ribbons eg: Maggies ect.

And add a/some S/H active sub/s from 100hz-150hz down (these are cheap. Far better than a full range single driver or multiple driver, and the ultimate in transparency and dynamics and your Krell will yawn at having to drive them.


Cheers George

ebm
9,311 posts
 
Speaker first than a great amp enjoy!!

stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Of your selections, the Vandersteen 3A Sigs would the ones I would go with; I am a Thiel owner now but have owned Vandersteen in the past and greatly enjoyed their sound. 
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
IMO your speaker choices are vastly varied - Vandy 3A, SF Venere S, Wharfdale Jade7. 
The Vandy 3A is a time-coherent speaker (I'm a huge fan of time-coherent speakers & would go for such a speaker any time, any place) & so I'd recommend this speaker over any of your other choices. Time-coherent speakers render the music in such a natural fashion that it becomes very difficult to listen to any other speaker type once you've listened to a time-coherent speaker. Time-coherent speakers sound right every time with every music genre.
I note that stevecham is on the same page - switched from Vandy to Thiel which is also another time-coherent speaker (atleast those that were manuf when Jim Thiel was around & running the company).
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