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Musical Sound Quality of AV Surround receiver vs. pure Stereo

Running Linn LP12 turntable, Bluepoint No2 stylus, with Jasmine phono pre-amp, Marantz sr5008 with B&W 685s2 on LR fronts with 686 S2 LR surround,  Paradigm CINEMASUB Cinema Sub 300W Speaker.

3 questions; 1) While I canceled out the center channel (using Marantz Audyssey setup), I am playing 99% from my turntable and CD player (Yamaha w/ DAC built in). The depth and spacial separation of the music is uncanny, but difficult to phase given it is being played in a digital (Music setting) format from one of the settings on the Marantz receiver. When I switch to pure stereo, the volume has to be turned up and the depth of the soundstage just isn't there. Would upgrading to a more powerful and musical integrated amplifier help (i.e. Anthem  Anthem MRX  720?) help with its killer room correction or 2) Do I look for a 2.1 integrated amp or tube amp to compliment my B&W 685S2's and sell the 686's or 3) do I just bite the bullet, look at a traditional good integrated amp or tube amp for around $3K with $3K Audio note AN-K speakers. Traditional sound....

Thanks, I am new to this group and have read a number of discussion threads. Obviously, a lot of you are infinitely more knowledgeable than I am, so any and all replies would be greatly appreciated. PS No man cave, this system is in my living room, so the wife is a little particular about too much gear ! Thanks everyone.
phill55
richardausten's avatar
richardausten
3 posts
 
I left B&W and Solid State for Audio Note.  But it still depends on what you are after - the B&Ws are nowhere near the same musical goodness as Audio Note IMO.  The AN K /lx is the copper wired version and all AN copper wired speakers will play much nicer with solid state equipment and push pull amplifiers in general.  Plus they are significantly less expensive.  Around $2400US and you havee over 20 finish options + high gloss so 40.  It is a sealed acoustic suspension design with 90dB sensitivity and from a corner reaches 36hz.  Not bad.  I owned the speakers for 6 months before moving to the Audio Note J/Spe which I had for 13 years.  Now have the AN E/Spx Alnico Hemp.
OOps - didn't see you bought the Revels - But doesn't look like you have heard them yet - well congrats and I hope you enjoy the Revels.  If not then the above is there because I already typed it. 


auxinput
2,921 posts
 
I would like to make a correction on my description of the Krell integrated.  The Krell integrated that I heard was the new K-300i, which uses the new iBias sliding bias full Class A amplifier module.  This is a very creamy, liquid and lush sound.  It would be excellent for the Revel speakers because it would help control that aluminum dome tweeter.  However, the K-300i is not released yet and will probably be out of your price range.
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The Krell Vanguard integrated amps use the previous generation Class AB amplifier and are very clean and crisp sounding.  The Krell Vanguard are selling "new-in-box" for about $2700 on ebay and other locations.  You can also get the "Krell Digital Vanguard", which include a very top-notch DAC for $3700 "new-in-box" from ebay sellers.   Or get a used Digital Vanguard for something like $2900. 

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The Hegel H160 can be had used for $1600-1900 and is a lot cheaper.  Ultimately, I think the Krell is a much better device and will "sing" better because of it fully discrete Class A preamp stage, but it is all about budget.
phill55's avatar
phill55 OP
142 posts
 
@ richardausten I met Mr. Vu in his new facility in Vienna, VA. He is an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate Audiophile and I heard the AN - J speakers. He has them for $3K with a new Italian tube amp w/ built in DAC and if you have the ability to set up your speakers in the corners, the combination in sublime. But the tub amp is $3K with speakers = $6-7K (including stands). But at 90dB you really don't need a huge Krell or Helgal with 200+ watts. I heard the AN -J speakers driven by a 10 watt tube amp. 
@ auxinput I thank you for your input...I went back to a local dealer (new and used gear) listen to both the Krell and the Hegal with B&W D3 bookshelf speakers. To me the Hegal H160 sounded a little more colorful, not overly produce, but enough to appear to have more color than the Krell which seemed a little too clinical. 

But, given my budget and desire to continue to upgrade, I am now looking at a Hegal H160 for $1700 (with crossover for my sub)...use my B&W 685 s2 speakers for a year or two before upgrading to a new speaker. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to own the AN speakers, my wife will not allow me to put them in the living room (in the corners) and I don't want a man cave to listen to music...I want my friends to enjoy it with me during cocktail conversation or just pure listening. 

Besides, my next upgrade will probably be in adding a Dynavector 20X as the liveliness of the stylus may very well compliment some of the short comings of the B&W's in the mid-high range. They are however, good speakers when complimented with a sub to build out that low that they just cant accomplish. 

I have to tell everyone that it is a difficult decision when getting into this hobby, there are many...many...many choices you can make. And add to this challenge the lack of really good stereo stores (that I grew up with) and your decision become even more difficult. Do your research thoroughly and trust the experiences and anecdotal comments of this group. They are all obviously passionate about this hobby and for that I want to thank everyone for taking the time to help me make a better informed decision. When everything is set up, I will send out my comments for someone else who might be making these same decisiosn. 
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