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Upgrading: What to use with Dynaudio 3.3's?

I auditioned a pair of Dynaudio 3.3's and they sounded fantastic, so I then purchased a pair. Hooked them up to my Adcom GFA5800 and old Marantz preamp and the speakers sounded good. Then hooked them up to my Yamaha home theater receiver (it serves it's purpose) and the Dynaudio's sound worse than the Boston Acoustics AV70's I have attached to the Yamaha daily. The highs from the Boston's were better, the mids were more open and the Boston's just sounded better. A bit disheartened, I've decided I need a new amp and preamp for the Dynaudio's. I'd like to be able to use them for HT and stereo in the future, but I'm thinking a 5-channel amp and processor for the HT and still have excellent sound for stereo isn't in the budget, so I'll do it one step at a time. Perhaps get a good two-channel and a preamp with HT passthrough and add the three channel and processor later? Is this a good approach? I've read the Dynaudio's need lots of power - does anyone have any experience?
I'm thinking of an amp that can be had used for around $1500-$2000 and a preamp that is in the $1500 range.
Two questions in addition to the ones above:
What's the best bang for the buck?
What works well with the Dynaudio's regardless of price?

Thanks!
linesplice
manuel_
38 posts
 
To my ears, in a small room the Audio by Van Alstine 350Ex amp is perfect with my 1.3SE Dynaudios. It drives them astonishingly well. Dynaudios are hyper current suckers, and the AVA gives them what they ask for. I have also listened to it with 3.0, doing a very musical, dynamic and detailed combo.
As you have the 3.3 model, I suppose your room is big, so you should go with 550Ex if you want loud volumes.
Within your budget, you can buy an AVA 550Ex new, and they have a 30 day return policy.
About preamps, the transcendence 7EC has a HT bypass for HT processors. You should give them a listen.
Hope this helps
dannylw's avatar
dannylw
172 posts
 
A friend of mine has the 3.3. At his house he had an Aragon 4004 mated to a YBA pre. Very nice. Then he hooked up the YBA to his Clayton M100's. What a difference. The speaker came to life. The Aragon sounded thin and lifeless compared to the Clayton. I was dramatically impressed. He did say he had to play with cables for awhile to get the sound right. He bought the Clayton used but I don't know what he paid.
linesplice OP
8 posts
 
Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and imput so far!

Do you think I'm on the right track wanting a preamp that can do HT passthrough, or should I stick with a two-channel system and upgrade the preamp and get a 3-channel amp at a later date?

I guess high-current is requirement for the speakers. What about McCormack or Classe?

For anyone who has listened or owned the 3.3's... how would you classify their sound? Bright? Forward mids? Recessed lows? Component matching is key, and while I plan on demo'ing gear, I don't want to waste time going down the wrong path.

THANKS!
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