2. amps-preamps
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What amp/pre-amp would you buy for $12-15k?

My Krell 300KAV-iL died. It used to sit between a Rotel CD w/ XLR outputs and B&W 802 Nautilus loudspeakers. Also use a Denon ipod dock.

The Krell worked well for 9 years, but I want to upgrade-keeping the Rotel and B&W's. Budget is $12-15k for the amp/pre-amp and interconnects. I may add a DAC, music server, and turntable down the road.

I like the idea of a tubular system - at least for the pre-amp. I hate to "waste" the XLR capability, but will not eliminate a pre-amp just because it doesn't have it.

We listen to everything-blues, acoustic rock, opera, etc. The room is big and wide open, so the B&W's have a lot of space to fill with sound. I'm going to RMAF-anything I must see? Any other recommendations? Thanks!
smith_t_66
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Definitely dump the Rotel.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mattkimb96
107 posts
 
For the upper end of your budget you could snag some Pass XA-100.5 monoblocs, Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp to and either the Ayre C-5xe or previously mentioned Marantz SA-7s1 CD players.
c1ferrari
464 posts
 

If you're contemplating valves, I would place Atma-Sphere, BAT, and VAC on your short list and purchse pre-owned :-)

Regards,
Sam
dob
577 posts
 
I have B&W 802 and, as I am sure you know, to see their full potential you need very powerful amplifier. After many, many combination I am immensely happy with Joule-Electra preamp and Spectron amplifler.

Keep your current CD Player and later on go to Dedicated Music Server (or your general computer) & Stand Alone DAC combination - also depending on the budget you can achieve extraordinary performance. Don;t invest a penny in new CD Player - its dead end. There are more and more hi-rez music avaialble and CD Player is useless here.
nolitan
865 posts
 
Tubes and B&Ws are not very ideal. SOlid state would be preferrable.
Parasound is a good one, Classe is another good synergy with B&W.
For us15,000 you might consider a used Accuphase Int amp. They work very well w/ BW speakers.
Good luck.
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