Which Pre Amp Amp for New User? Opinions Please

Thank you for your thoughts. Valuable information and definitely appreciated.

Please comment on this set up: Marantz AV 2005 pre pro with Accurus A2007 amp, Kef R700 or R900 speakers, Velodyne DD10 sub. Kef or B&W center?

How do Sonus Faber, B&W compare to the Kef series or others (there are a bewildering number of choices)? I want a clear, warm full range sound from the speakers. The room is lacking in sonic conditioning. Stone floor, lots of glass, no carpet (25 feel long x 14 feet wide). This will be another factor in speaker selection unless I add wall coverings, throw rugs etc.

What would be the best full range speaker of those mentioned for less than about $6,000 new/used?

In regards to amp/pre amps, I believe the McIntosh/Krell/Classe are a bit out side of my financial comfort zone for now (Mercedes on Toyota budget).

Is there a significant quality/reliability/state of the art difference between the new Marantz, Onkyo, Integra or other pre pros in the under $3,000 range?

Is a quality "used" amp in "excellent" condition on Audiogon (or elsewhere) a smarter decision than a "new" (financially and practically) because "not much changes" in amps over the years?

Again, sincere thanks for your personal opinions!

Hi Dr. Linn,

Personally, i have not explored KEF in a long time, but if you look in Audiogon - Sonus Faber, for 6K you can get the Cremonas, for 9K the Extremas. For another 6-9K you can get Krell FPB600 or FPB350mcx monos...a stunning combination with either of the above speakers...comfortably in the realm of state of the art. for another 2-3K you can get a Krell amp to run the other 3 channels. Add a sub plus 3 other speakers for another 3K and you are just about at your 20K budget.

As for used amps, the benefit is not so much that technological improvement have not moved on...it is that the rate of depreciation is far faster than the rate of advancement of nearly any piece of audio equipment. Not too different from a car.

The key to watch for is that used/demo items work. What i have done is agree with the Seller they ship it back to the original manufacturer or distributor in my country. I pay for that shipping so they know i am serious. If the manufacturer/distributor confirms good working condition, i pay in full and have the distributor ship it to me. If not, then the Seller and I renegotiate repairs, or he can pay for shipping to take it back.

Good luck. Hope that is helpful. In terms of a system on that budget i would be serious about, that would be the one for me. The older generation SF and Krell imho are a magical combination, with the warmth and liquid beauty of voices for which SF are famous, but with the power and dynamics from a Krell (in particular these older generation Krell).

In terms of subs, i have owned Velodynes for 12 years or more. I now use the DD18, you can prob get a second hand one for 2.5K. Depending on size of your room, the DD18 and the DD10 are both excellent, but the DD18 adds an effortless majesty that is tough to match. I think there is a lot of 'bang for your buck' in going the extra 1.5K to get the bigger boy.

Some amazing responses here. My 2 cents for speakers are Vandersteens. Richard V. just developed a new speaker for about $6k. I have 3A Signatures and they sound beautiful. The Sonus Faber cabinets are stunning but Vandy's sound every bit as good at a lower price. You have plenty of budget for everything, have fun.

I decided on the Parasound Halo A51 and an Integra DTC 80.3. I just bought a used Velodyne DD10 sub and am continuing to investigate front speakers and a center. I appreciate your recommendations and although I gave a $20,000 budget, I am now more realistic and it is between 12 and 14,000. Economic issues. Hope someone can give their 2cents opinion about a center and will it matter if it is a different manufacturer? My fireplace mantle is only 10" deep so that is another limiting factor. Thanks again!!

Congrats...you should have good quality power from Parasound though i am not familiar with that one. Velodyne DD10 should be great and straightforward to set up...even though the final 10% of finetuning takes some getting used to. Cannot help on Centers...i still like Sonus Faber for your speakers if you're willing to go second hand. just my 2 cents. enjoy!