2. amps-preamps
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Better to change Speakers first or new Preamp+amp

I would like some advice...

I currently have a Classe SSP800 with a Krell Theater Amplifier Standard (5x200) and a Krell KAV2250 running a B&W 700 surround sound system(703s for the L/R with the matching center and surrounds). I watch a lot of movies, but listen to mostly music; probably 30/70.

I am ready to upgrade and I really feel like my B&W speakers are now the limiting factor. I am interested in going with the Wilson Sophia 2s with the Watch Center. A big chunk of change, but I was blown away by their sound.

I told the sales guy my plan to upgrade and he told me that if I enjoy music the most I am better off buying a good preamp along with a good two channel amp with the money instead of the speakers first. (He recommended a Boulder 810 Pre with the Boulder 860 two channel running in home theater pass through for movies). I can then later upgrade the speakers.

Does this make sense?

Thanks
rshad0000
maineiac
649 posts
 
This seems like this scenario is repeated over and over again and again. It seems like a lot of shops are good at selling B&W with classe, krell, or rotel and then the poor buyer gets wore out by the sound and has to effectively start again. I guess it must be a path of least resistance thing.

My advice, do a ton of listening to a wide variety of speaker types with different types of pre/amp configurations before you plunk down the dough. The speaker and amp combo is so important that you could get into an expensive tail chasing exercise.
soix
9,456 posts
 
One of the most important and hardest things about building a system you truly love is finding the speakers that really blow you away. Sounds like you may have found that, and I'm sure they'll sound pretty damn good with your electronics -- probably not up to their potential but you'll certainly get a lot of what made them so special to you. You can always experiment w/ lots of amps and pres later (much easier than carting speakers to your home to audition by the way), and I'd bet a good buck the sound you'll get in the meantime will be more satisfying than if you hooked the Boulders up to the B&Ws. Not sure the salesman has your best interest in mind here -- go figure. Best of luck.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Rockadanny,

As for room, I'd say for a very small room (12 x 12 feet) then I'd tend to lean towards a nearfield listening position, away from any walls and with small monitors and a sub. The intention would be to reduce the impact of the room as much as possible.

In the ideal case of a medium sized room (20+ feet to 50 feet on each side) then I'd go large three way floorstanders and with one or two optional subs.

Very large rooms (50+ feet) don't tend to be as good as you can long reverb times - jut like a gymnasium - unless very heavily treated for acoustics.

So the room/application is important prior to selecting tyeh speaker...
missioncoonery
1,215 posts
 
A 12x12 room is the absolute worst room you could start with..A square room is something to avoid like the plague,most if not all know that..I cant imagine having a house with a room 50' wide either...
rshad0000 OP
268 posts
 
I personally thought that the sales guy was just trying to sell me more gear, but I wanted to get this forums opinion.

Thanks for confirming my suspicians.

By the way my room is 16 x 20. And, yes, room treatment will definitely be a part of the set up.
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