2. amps-preamps
  3. 165540-159832

Dream Speakers = landed. Now I need to feed them!

So I scored a pair of Belle Klipsch (1987 models, AB crossover).  I would have gone for Khorns, but the room they were going in just wasn't going to work.  RIght now, I'm running a cheap little Sony (STR-DH190) stereo receiver on them, and even that sounds amazing, but I know I've barely scratched the surface of what they're capable of.  The dream is a pair of SET monoblocks (probably 300B type), though I'm worried about not being able to drive the bottom enough.  I listen to a wide array of music from classical and opera to extreme metal, though my wife is decidedly more of a rock person, so I definitely need something that will push those woofers proper. 

Due to lifestyle and logistics, a big piece of my source audio is going to be HQ feeds from my laptop via Bluetooth.  I know, not an ideal source, but until I build my HTPC, it's just going to have to work.  I also need to run optical out from my Sony Bravia (which I can't do right now because the receiver doesn't have optical in and the TV doesn't have analog out).  

Here's the hard part: Right now, I can't really spend more than $1k for the whole shebang.  So I started hunting.

At first I was sniffing around looking for a tube preamp that can handle both Bluetooth and Toslink, but all that seems to be out there are suspiciously cheap Chinese integrated amps that have no pre out for later use.  I also looked at some dedicated DAC's such as the Cambridge Audio DACMagic, that I knew I could pair with a BT-capable tube pre.  But I'm still sketchy about the cheap Chinese kit.  I've heard positive things about Dared, though, and I was thinking their 5BT would be a good foundation alongside the aforementioned DAC, because I could use its power stage for right now, and if I can't stay in the right now budget to get a good pair of monoblocks, then I could wait for a while and buy the right ones later. 

Thoughts? Opinions?  Alternative ideas?  


jerkface
jerkface OP
73 posts
 
Don’t care what anyone will say but you can’t do HT and two channel with one system without major compromises to the two channel sound. Even if you have to plug and unplug the speakers for the different applications keep they systems separate. Trust me been there three it thought it was great but soon realized it was a big fail. Went to two channel independent and never looked back.
I have no intention of trying to deploy a surround system.  "HTPC" was probably better termed as "Media Server".  

Meanwhile, I think I might have found a one-box answer to the various and sundry connectivity questions, and enable me to keep the Media Server in the office where it belongs.  

Anyone had any experience with this seemingly perfect little solution?  

https://www.abt.com/Denon-HEOS-Link-HS2-Black-Wireless-Pre-Amplifier-HEOSLINKHS2SR/p/100967.html?cam...
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Hideous. Look, the last thing you want to do on a budget is throw money away on absolute crap. There are two kinds of people here: one or two like me who know what's what and will tell you no matter what, and a whole herd who will happily encourage you to spend, spend, spend. You've got your info. Choose wisely.
jerkface OP
73 posts
 
Hideous. Look, the last thing you want to do on a budget is throw money away on absolute crap.

It's a DAC that also handles Bluetooth.  I do need a DAC here.  Why is it hideous?
jerkface OP
73 posts
 
And having a DAC that also handles Bluetooth means I don't need to worry about having Bluetooth capability in the Pre.  Seems like a win-win to me, being able to focus exclusively on SQ in my pre... 
mofojo
2,288 posts
 
Cayin A100T on USA audio mart asking 1200. HELL of a lot of great watts for the money. Also with the sensitivity of your Klipsch you want something quiet and the one I had was dead quiet. Check it out. Could offer a grand and see if they bite. 
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