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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
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 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
1,214 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.
buff's avatar
buff
210 posts
 
I would choose 5-6 different speakers to listen to BEFORE making a decision. The Wilsons are a great speaker and will be very nice with your Krell electronics and/or other electronics down the road. Listen to some other speakers you really like too, like buying a car - test drive a few first.

Definately get the speakers first. Boulder with B&W 7 series is a terrible mismatch.....not sure what your sales guy was thinking......
upgrade1394
1 posts
 
Go with speakers first, the ssp800 is a very good 2-ch pre-amp also. Almost on par with the krell evo-202 and the theta cb3. Changing the 700 series will be a substantial improvement though I would try non-B&W speakers just to see what other brands have to offer. Wilson is a good choice though the dollars are comparatively high (for similar improvement) vs other competing brands such as revel.
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