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Need help on speaker decisions

I have a budget of $8000 for a pair of speakers and components. So $4000 on speakers, $3000 on components and $1000 on cables. I listen to mainly vocal, rock, movie scores, jazz and R&B. I have a medium size vaulted ceiling room open to other rooms. I would appreciate for your inputs.

Recently I heard the KEF R500, LS50, Goldenear Triton 7 and 2, Monitor Audio RX6 & 8, B&W CM10, Fritz Carbon 7 SE. The best sound of those to my ears was the KEF R500 with Primaluna DiaLogue One Integrated Amp. It was clean, warm, and rich in voice. However when the R500 was paired with a Denon AV receiver, the "magic" was gone. The LS50 was also very good but I prefer a floorstand since I have kids. For the components, I really like the warmth and richness of the Primaluna tubes, not sure if I can found a solid-state with the same warmth and richness, but SS amp would be easier for future HT expension.

The following speakers are on my short-list that I have not yet audition.

1. PSB Synchrony One - heard great things about it but most likely the tube amp won't have enough juice to drive it. What would be the best SS amp to pair with PSB for musical, warm and rich sound?

2. Von Schweikert VR-33 - heard that this speaker is perfect for tubes. I checked with Albert, I will need to wait for 2-3 weeks for audition as they sold out even the demo unit recently. Also I found very few feedbacks about this speaker. How does it compare to KEF R-series, Focal or Salk? Those seem to have many people rave about it.

3. Sierra Tower with RAAL - A cheaper option that allows me to put more $$ on the components. But I may need to get a pair of subs for the bottom end and may lost the coherent in music.

4. Salk Veracity ST - No online review but on AVS people were rave about anything Salk made.

5. Tekton Seas Pendragon - People seem to love it but it may take a long time to wait for it.

6. R500 - it was great with the Primaluna tube. But I would still need to add a pair of subs for the bottom ends. The overall price would be greater than other options.

For components I am debating either tube or SS:

Tube: I love the musical presentation. The warmth and richness. But to integrate into a HT system with AV receiver can be tricky. I may buy a speaker switch between the receiver and tube integrated amp, but I could one day accidentally damage the equipment if I forgot to turn off the power before switching.

SS: More juice for the above especially the PSB and Salk both rated 4ohm. Easier for future HT expansion if I add an AV receiver for HT. However I will miss the tube sound I heard from Primaluna.

Any suggestion?

Thank you!
ucc118
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
There's a wide gulf between an all tube integrated such as a PrimaLuna and an SS Denon receiver. There are very good SS amps that aren't terribly expensive that would do the KEFs justice. Examples are the Odyssey Khartago or Stratos, a pre-owned Bryston, or new Parasound, whether from the Classic or Halo product lines.

Given that you really like the KEF R500s, I think you should get them. You could get a multi-channel AV surround preamp/processor (NOT a receiver) and a Parasound 2-channel amp for the KEFs. The pre/pro would also have a subwoofer output and you could get a powered sub to flesh out the bottom octave of bass. You'll want that for home theater anyway.

Then when you're ready to go multi-channel, just buy the amplifier(s) you need for center and surrounds and you're good to go.

You could also shop for an integrated that has the inputs/outputs to provide home theater bypass. This enables you to use the premium amp for two channel listening and integrate it into the multi-channel setup (under control of the multichannel pre/pro) for 5.1 or 7.1 home theater.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,375 posts
 
I agree I think if you liked the Kef 500 and tube amp get that. We all have our preferences. I wouldn't get that if I had that money to spend but that's just me. Sounds like you know what you like and can tell the difference so chances are if you buy anything without an audition first you might be disappointed. I personally don't like tubes for the reasons mentioned above and most of all for me you can't really leave the amp on all the time. I like my gear on for listening at a moments notice. I don't really do listening sessions and then turn off. If that is the way you work, turn your stereo on and listen then turn it off then tubes are awesome.

Oh and personally I would avoid speakers that are going to need a sub. Personally I have never been able to make a sub work wonderful. If it was me and the Kef 500s didn't do it for me in the bass I'd try and find a model up from that did. Others disagree but that's my .02 on subs.

Do you have to buy source gear as well in the budget?

For reasonably priced cables I think the Grover Huffman cables are really good. I've had a lot of cables and to me these cables sounded good and good enough price that I just quit buying cables and stuck with these.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I agree with Robsker.
dayglow
1,915 posts
 
It appears you like a speaker capable of a high level of resolution with an extended treble. Consider a used Thiel CS 2.4 which also has usable bass below 40hz, no sub needed here. Another option is the Martin Logan Electromotion which would give you the choice of tubes or a small class A amp. Bass on the ML is claimed down to 43hz, sub(s) could be added later if you go the HT route. With the Thiel I would look into a new($2500)Wyred4Sound-STI 1000, plenty of power and a high damping factor for bass control on the 2.4. On the ML consider a used Marantz 11S2 which will soften any electrostatic edge and be up to any impedance dips in the treble.
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
There's nothing old fashioned about modern tube amps...they can sound amazingly clear, accurate, and capable. The added advantage over SS amps is people will think you're a better person than you actually are.
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