Help on System Upgrade


Hi...I am new at this...Though I fully appreciate good sound quality, not a full blown audiophile per se. I listen mainly to jazz, blues, rock, pop. I currently have a compromised system in order to enjoy my two hobbies, music and movies. However I will be moving and thus will now be able to have a separate system for 2 channel audio only, and one multi-channel which wld be mainly for movies.

The system upgrade question is obviously about the 2 channel system

current set up
Camelot Tech Roundtable 2 for DVDs and CDs - want to explore SACD, considering EMM Labs + Phillips transport
Pre-Pro: Linn 5103 & 5125: these will go to the movie system
Lin Klimaxx Mono blocks
main speakers: Pro Ac Response 4
surround: Proacs and Paradigm
Elco cables
PS Audio 300 regenerator

of this system, only really the Klimaxx monoblocks will survive towards the 2 channel system: front end likely to be EMM Labs...thus I need to decide on a pre-amp and new speakers

I do not want physically imposing speakers (spouse acceptance factor) while tube pre-amps seem to makes sense to counter-balance then Linns...or am I on the wrong track here? Room size is medium, neither large nor excessively small

some reading around (still need to auditon) has led me to think on speakers: Wilson Watt Puppy 7, Sophia, Cremona, Eidolon, Kharma Ref 3.2, Genesis 501....

pre-amps, LAMM 2, Hovland 200, BAT 51 VK SE...

Am I on the right track here? Any pointers? Can Kharma's handle rock?
henryhk
finally Jtinn....u were spot on about the Kharmas. I didn't get to listen them to much lauded synergistic Tenors nor Lamms, but solid state Pass Labs 350 mono blocks, which I actually requested, thinking it would resemble the Linn Klimaxxes the most (amongst the dealer's amps)....they were amazing and yes they can ROCK. There was a suck out heard when I stood, but not enuff to make it a major problem, and who listens to music stadning anyway?
I've started a new thread...SHOP W.Me....i had asked pointers in several to the extend I was creating unnecessarily too many threads all kinda related.

Hope to hear from you guys there.
The Cremona and Verity are very beutiful sounding speakers, that lean toward the warmer side of real. I would definitely say the Kharma and Von Schweikert speakers lean toward the more lifelike sound. Both have amazing clarity and detail.

By running the DCC 2 direct and bypassing an outboard preamplifier, the level of clarity increases a great deal. Noise also seems to go down.
thanx Jtinn.

I listen to rock but not head banging stuff nor at glass shattering levels

which of the speakers u had recommended, which has the best inner detail? the u are there feel if u know what i mean

by hooking up via dac directly sans pre-amp, what sort of audible chgs will happen?
If you are considering the EMM Labs, save yourself some money on a preamplifier and look into the DCC 2 which has a reference grade preamplifier built in.

As far as the speakers go, since you are going to keep the Linn Klimax amplifiers, I would look at speakers like the Cremona, Kharma 3.2, Von Schweikert and Verity. The other speakers combined with the Linn's might sound a bit lean.

The Kharma's can handle rock, but at reasonable levels. If you are listneing mainly to rock n' roll, you might consider the Von Schweikert's or a more full range speaker.