2. amps-preamps
  3. 1286118265

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
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.
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
I second the idea of Ralph 'Mr. Atmosphere"'s preamp. Surely one of the best going.
If you want to try something different go for the Chinese Doge 8.

btw I have found a tube preamp with SS power to work very well in my system. Tube preamps are so much more detailed and refined sounding yet they balance the dry leaning SS with some warmth. ying and yang.

e
cajunpepe
255 posts
 
You can do a McIntosh MC401 power amp at 400 watts per side and a c2300 tube pre new for about 15k retail. However you can usually find both here on agon for a good bit less. There is also a tube pre, the c220 for a little less money, and the MC252 power amp at 250 a side. I believe all have balanced connections. All are available here and would leave you enough money for a CD player.
BTW...the c2300 has a great mm/mc phono stage built in.
More to discover