8-10k budget suggestions please

Been to the edge and looked over…

I started out much like you. Spent a small fortune on chasing very expensive difficult to drive speakers with with very powerful solid state amps.

I have come full circle. Non-reactive full range speakers with 3.5 watts of SET tube power.
 

I still have my pricey solid state, Levinson Monos and pre with 802D3s—it’s gathering dust  

I did try the “in between” route with push pull tube amps. To meet that seemed like the worst of both worlds, not the best….SET or just stick with solid state.

Again, nonreactive full range speakers are imperative.  These speakers almost all have a hump in the upper mid range. Sometimes a small circuit is used as a notch filter to tame this. I have had much better results with minimal digital EQ in Roon. (Side note…do not try to boost the bass with digital EQ.) I also find the use of a very fast subwoofer critical  with these speakers. Placement is also very sensitive.  
 

I am personally running the Elekit 8900 with amorphous output transformers and v caps, 2A3 tubes with 12bh7 drivers and zero NFB. Denefrips Terminator DAC, Lii Audio Speakers, a pair of REL tx7 subs.
 

3.5 watts of heaven! 

You probably could run the 804s with a push pull tube amp. I wouldn’t. I prefer solid-state over push pull tube amps. Don’t confuse the loose bass of a tube amp losing control of the speaker with tube magic. It isn’t. The real magic in tube amps is single ended triode paired with the right speaker. See my prior post. My 802D3s have got pretty good sensitivity. But, Impedance curve and phase angle are horrific! Impedance drops below 2 ohms at certain frequencies. Despite their relatively good sensitivity, they are a very difficult load for any amplifier. You don’t want to run those with a single ended 3 watt amplifier.

Search enough and you will find that many like me that have been up to the edge with systems approaching $100,000 chasing the dragon and then discover what we’ve been looking for all along was hiding under our nose. We were afraid of the flea watt moniker.  Again, the rest of the equipment is imperative. Especially the speakers and EQ.  No exceptions.

We’re all different. Maybe you wouldn’t like it. But I and many others wish we had gone that route first.  More enjoyment at a fraction of the cost. What’s not to like?

Krell will have no problem driving those speakers. Will sound great! Good source like a Denafrips DAC would be next. I like B&W speakers, but they are very unforgiving of your source. I’m a huge believer in empirical numbers and data… They are very important and a good guide, but somethings numbers just can’t measure. The most powerful audio processor ever made is between your ears. No oscilloscope, multi meter or analytical software can come close to measuring what’s going on there. I love the audio science review guys, but the best topping DAC just can’t compare with my terminator. tried one and sent it back. If you ever get the upgrade bug or tire of your current system, consider an SET as mentioned above before you start blowing big bucks. Enjoy!

… Also, don’t be afraid of a little bit of digital EQ through Roon or such.
Quick and dirty. Download an audio analyzer app on your phone. Set your speakers up. (Do a little research on speaker placement and tow in). Stream some pink noise through the system. From seating position look for any obvious frequency peaks/dips on your app. Adjust toe in and placing to smooth. Then, smooth remaining peaks with digital EQ. Don’t try for completely flat, no more than -2 to-3dB digital EQ. Don’t try to flatten every little tiny peak you see. Leave them alone. Just the big ones. Less is more. I would leave dips alone with EQ. Instead, fine-tune the placement. Don’t get too uptight about it though. Adjust and fine-tune focus and staging by ear. Moving your seat back-and-forth just a few inches can have a dramatic effect. You could also experiment with one speaker at a time measuring a meter away. And then at seating position. Just need to get in the ball park then let your brain adjust a few weeks and it will do the rest! Don’t stress over this crap too much. Have fun with it!