2. amps-preamps
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Is it my amp or my speakers?

I've been dissatisfied with my system of late--wanting a little more brightness and color--and can't decide if it's the amp or the speakers, or both. Here's the set-up:
  • Krell KAV-300i integrated
  • Cyrus CD-T
  • Schiit Gungnir DAC
  • Tekton Lore speakers
The Krell was a hand-me-down (!); everything else was purchased new. The amp had some overpriced work done to it a few years back and I'm wondering if the workmanship is starting to show, or possibly its age (~25 years, I'm guessing). Or, are the amp and speakers mismatched?I can afford to invest about $3K in the system, but am unsure where best to put it.Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.
danto
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
That krell integrated is garbage and I own krell amps. It is cheaply made and sounds nothing like a krell. It’s fatiguing and bright and makes you want to pull your hair out. I’d dump it. Good luck.


stated too strongly, but i would have to agree with the gist, esp. on bright/harsh sound quality - i was not impressed with this unit when i had it... NOT Krell’s finest hour for sure
mglik
908 posts
 
I would agree that the Krell is bright and harsh.
From everything I have heard, the Tektons are probably good.
I would suggest looking on AG or USAmart for a used tube integrated. And roll the tubes to NOS. For $3k you can get a very nice one. And sell the Krell maybe increasing the $3k to $4k+.
mglik
908 posts
 
I would agree that the Krell is bright and harsh.
From everything I have heard, the Tektons are probably good.
I would suggest looking on AG or USAmart for a used tube integrated. And roll the tubes to NOS. For $3k you can get a very nice one. And sell the Krell maybe increasing the $3k to $4k+.
boomerbillone
356 posts
 
I build speakers and amps. Recently I acquired the Purifi Audio EVAL1 power amp modules. These use the output modules used in the NAD 33 which is getting rave reviews. It is amazing how a great amp can make good speakers perform their best. Starke Sound has its AD4.320 on a "Black Friday" special. The best buy in power amps. It sounds as good as the Purifi unit and is a complete unit, ready to go out of the box. These amps have made every speaker I have connected them to sound wonderful. They are better than anything I ever built. They make my Golden Ear Triton 1s come alive. I'd say no speaker can do its best with a poor amp. If your Krell has preamp outputs, the Starke amp will amaze you. Emotiva has inexpensive preamps that sound fine if the Krell's preamps don't do the job for you..
chorus
976 posts
 
I skipped over the other suggestions so if someone said this already please ignore this. $3k to spend. Used okay? If not you just cut your
performance in half. Know nothing of your CD player. I would buy a Cambridge Audio Integrated. Or a ChiFi Tube Integrated if you like that sound better. Upgrade the speakers to something pleasant sounding. So many choices. Assume you have $2k of the $3k left. Shop used Focal
as you like more forward sound. Borrow a better CD player somewhere
after you have the other gear. You will likely replace it too.
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