Dream Speakers = landed. Now I need to feed them!
@millercarbon my budget is roughly a hundred times yours and am I using separates? No! https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/836I've followed your system for years; guess it's time for me to applaud your design theory. |
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BTW - didn't mean to gloss over this one, just been mobile most of the afternoon/evening and am only now back on the laptop - lastly if your speakers are original consider updating the tweeter and crossovers huge improvements here. Bob Crites is reasonable priced and will bring the Bells up to modern spec. not to mention make the high end much smoother and enjoyable. The boys over at the Klipsch forums also suggested that I convert the AB crossover to an A, making a few cap replacements, but I'm NOT good with a soldering iron. I might look him up when it comes time to make that tweak. But I have the K-55-M tweets, which from all technical reports (including some direct A/B spectrometry) is the far superior option - were you thinking of the old K-55-V's? |
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At 104db I think this could be very good match, as glennewdick stated, a 20w Class-A Schiit Aegir, it will be smooth and extended right through the mids and highs (horns love class-A) yet still have solid state control in the bass. https://www.schiit.com/products/aegir Cheers George |
The Klipsch are 104db 1w1m? Not going to recommend a 300WPC amp, unless it’s tube watts. You will still neeed 200wpc for the headroom :) took me just about 4.5 years. Of saving every bill I could save, missed lunches, being mr pink for a while, but in paid offf. Just use what have for now, while you save 2500-3K for a killer amp (s) with those 104 db beasts, I highly recommend a used Sunfire with the tubey taps, or a nice pair off tube blocks to help with the mid and treble of those speakers. If I had those speakers,... honestly, I would enjoy them while I saved for a bada$$ pair of tube monos, That’s just the way I do it. Don’t have the. Funds like many on here, so I had to save a bit every week or month, roll it up, not touch it, hide it from the wife, I had a great place in the basement. Carver 275 tube monos, are nice, only 75 watts, might not give you the headroom you want. I ramble I know. Enjoy the journey! |
I'm on an even tighter budget than you - but I power my Belle Klipsch horns (ca. 1984) with an older Antique Sound Labs MG SI 15 DT SET integrated amp rated at 5/15 wpc (triode/pentode) running upgraded tubes. http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/the-antique-sound-lab-mg-si-15-dt-singleended-class-a-tube-integrated-amplifier I'm not advocating this particular brand or model - just illustrating it doesn't take much juice (or $$) to get decent sound from the 104 dB SP Belles. Like you - I'm dreaming of one day upgrading to the QS monos (or something comparable). My maximum "bang-for-the-buck" system also includes a Denafrips Ares II R2R DAC ($700) and a refurbished Cambridge Audio CXC transport ($400). Whatever you end up going with - plan on adding a decent subwoofer. Terry |
"...just checked the Quicksilver website. That’s a sweet pair of blocks for 1500. I might just have to find some extra cash under the cushions for those!..." I have a pair of Mini-Monos I’ve used for many years now. They are a top amp and my favorite matched to my Cary SLP-98 pre. Better than my Cary (AES) six-pacs and maybe my PrimaLuna. They will be dead quiet with the Klipsch and still make your Belles sound their best. Call Mike he will tell you what is best for your Belles. |
Why not "cheap out" initially with Fosi? It’s fast and easy and no risk. If you don’t like it you can return it or maybe find use for it elsewhere in a second system for practically nothing by high end audio standards. In general, I find it is a mistake to jump straight into the "high end" deep water. Better to take things one step at a time. Amplifier technology has come a long way in recent years. Much like DACs. You might be surprised what not very much can get you if you are just smart about how you go about it. |
There is no right or wrong way to go. If you were to try Townshend Pods, some Synergistic Orange Fuses and Master Coupler power cord, and a $400 integrated amp, I think you would be shocked to discover they each give about as much improvement as the other. I know this is the case from having played around trying one thing at a time with systems I was building for friends and family. At one point I put a $1200 interconnect between a $400 amp and $400 CD player connected to $400 speakers. So $1200 IC into a $1200 system. And you know what? Darn thing made just as much improvement, was just as easy to hear, and sounded just the same as when used in my main system that it came from. Just that one thing shattered something like three audiophile myths! This is the difference between talking and doing. Go and do it. You will see. |
If you want to get started with Bluetooth in an amp that will probably sound pretty good for a pittance with zero risk (returnable) as an easy start consider: Amazon.com: Fosi Audio I have one of these driving a pair of KEF ls50s, not an easy task, and was shocked at how well it does. My little $80 Fosi with bluetooth is no slouch by a longshot, its dead quiet in my application and might just do great with a pair of high efficiency speakers like those Klipsch. |
@mesch - that last line is the key for me. Upgrade path. Start with components I can replace as both my needs and budget increase. But at the same time, there's wisdom in the idea of taking individual steps and see how my needs evolve. Maybe just getting a DAC to address the TV problem, build the HTPC, then, free of the need for BT, make a more SQ-focused choice for a pre or maybe even an integrated unit. I mean, I said they sound great with the Sony, but I've heard these things truly sing at the Klipsch HQ on a tour, so I know how far I have to go before I hit that potential. |
One suggestion, 1)buy a DAC having USB, coax, and optical inputs (there are budget ones that are very good); 2)buy a passive preamp like the Douk Audio off Ebay (~$40), 3) buy a used tube amplifier given the vintage nature of your speakers I would consider a refurbished Dynaco ST-70. Most DACs have have more that enough gain to satisfy need of an amplifier without active preamp. The DAC will supply required signal gain and serve as selector for multiple source components. The passive pre has single input and output with volume control. Amplifier drives speakers and a tube one is know as a great fit with your speakers, sonic and power wise. Not the only way to go, however does fit your budget and allows for easy upgrade path. |
You’re on a tight budget. You already have an amp. Granted it is a receiver, the second lowest rung in audio (at least it is stereo, the absolute lowest is AVR) but as you say it sounds amazing. You will definitely get better sound from a better integrated amp. But going to separates on a budget is a huge mistake! The sound you get is the total performance of everything, including the wires powering and connecting everything together. The more separates the more power cords and interconnects. Leave these for guys with money to burn. Look, my budget is roughly a hundred times yours and am I using separates? No! https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 Nuff said. Forget stuff like 300B. Not that it’s not great, but you can get a lot of magic from any tubes so why pay the premium? Any good used tube amp will soar over your receiver, last a long time, and have good resale value when you upgrade down the road. Avoid made in China, look for deals, save some for a good interconnect and speaker cables. |
Decware, Finale Audio (used most likely), Schiit audio ( Freya + tube preamp possibly) come to mind for low powered tube gear that is good value. there’s a ton more out there. I’d pass on 300Bs though too expensive for tubes IMO specially at your budget. 300B’s need very good transformers to sound their best you really don’t get that sub $2k IMO. used would be ideal more value for the money. also don’t discount a good class A, SS amp ( 20wpc is all you need) maybe matched to a tube preamp. maybe a dynaco st70 modern build like the tubes4hifi amps. their quite a good value for the money. I run LaScala’s and have tried a bunch of amps. clean power and low noise is what your looking for, specially the low noise. Also consider the over all gain of your system if to high you’ll have no volume range at all. surprisingly good is a Schiit freya+ tube pre ($899) and their Aegir class A amp ($799) or their integrated ragnarok ($1499). lastly if your speakers are original consider updating the tweeter and crossovers huge improvements here. Bob Crites is reasonable priced and will bring the Bells up to modern spec. not to mention make the high end much smoother and enjoyable. ok i’ done that’s all i can think of off the top of my head. cheers glen |
Avoid Chinese audio gear unless it's made by Topping, or well known Chinese Hi-Fi companies. (Like Woo audio) Above brands are great. (No racism). I'm saying this because some Chinese companies are really sketchy and use cheap computer caps in their amps. (not audio grade). Along with that, a lot of toxic crap inside. Monoblocks are nice...you can drive the speakers with authority. Good luck...read a lot of amp reviews..before you choose. |
