Looking for an upgrate from Cronus Magnum


I live with Cronus Magnum with KT120 tube 100wpc for 2 years. I feel that it has been great for jazz, accoustic and vocal music. However I also listen to rock, pop, R&B, and movie scores. I feel the Cronus lack clarity and punch in the bottom end. My speaker is Salk HT2-TL 87dB efficiency 4ohm impedance.

I am considering the following options with a budget $3500. What is your opinion? If plan B is the better route, which integrated amp you suggest? My speaker is a bit cold and analytic, i want to add some warmth to it. Thanks.

PLAN A
Change the preamp and driver tubes on the Cronus. Cost about $300. Could enhance the clarity over the stock JJ12AU7. But bottom end would still lacking. Get a subwoofer for bottomend $1500

PLAN B
Replace Cronus with one of these SS used:
Krell Vanguard
Pass INT150
ModWright KWI200
MF M6si
Parasound HINT

Current system:
Salksound HT2-TL speaker
Cronus Magnum integrated amplifier
Oppo 105
Morrow Audio MA3 Interconnect and SP2 speaker cables



ucc118

Showing 2 responses by avanti1960

Quite honestly a subwoofer is the wrong direction if you want more bass definition.  You need to increase the power at nominally 100Hz +/- 20 Hz for bass impact and definition.  A subwoofer is poor at reproducing those frequencies.  
If your speakers have bi-wire terminals and your woofer to tweeter crossover is low enough (e.g. 2Khz max.)  you might consider adding another amp- e.g. parasound a23, and connect the Cronus sub outputs to the inputs and connect that amp to the woofer terminals.  
The CM has relatively low gain so you would need to adjust the gain on the bass amplifier by ear or measurements in order to match the tweeter level.  
Ideally you do this in a three-way system where the tube / low power amp drives the midrange and tweeter.  However there is no reason it couldn't work in your situation.
The tube amp will not even break a sweat while the solid state amp should deliver all the bass and drive you need.
I have done this successfully and am considering doing the same thing with my CMII.  
you guys with experience with the pharaoh- do you think it gives up anything in sound quality to the CM?  
does it have a sound signature?  
what type of speakers pair best with it?  
thanks.