2. amps-preamps
  3. 1071007468

Which surr/proc to go w/ Krell & Thiels?

I'm looking for advice? I have a Krell KAV-250a3 (3 ch. amp) w/ a pair of Thiel 3.6s and a Thiel MCS1 for the center. I'm looking for a multi-channel preamp processor that would give me balanced detailed sound without brightness. My price range is 2,500 to 3,500 used. Here's what I've currently looked up: Krell Showcase, B&K ref 50, Aragon Stage One, Anthem AVM-20, Lexicon D-8, Rotel RSP-1098, Arcam AV-8 and the Classe SSP-60. Have I left any out...yikes, too many choices. I'm curious about the Lexicon but there's no dealer near me. I'll most likely purchase the Marantz DV-8400 universal player for this system. I listen mainly to jazz (be-bop to fusion), rock (Joni to Zappa) and all types of 20th century music (Reich, Stravinsky, etc). Oh yeah, the back surround speakers are Merlins (2 way) with a Parasound 200 watt amp. Each are about 10 years old. I would appreciate any advice? thanks for looking...
gpahler

Showing 2 responses by tombowlus

tombowlus
416 posts
 
I have a pair of CS3.6's, with an SCS3 center and some older AR surrounds. While my amplification is not up to your level (I have two Adcom GFA-555II's in bridged mono pumping 850w into each of the 3.6's, and an Adcom GFA-2535 feeding the center (bridged) and surrounds), I am very happy with the results that I am getting out of my Rotel RSP-1066. The store that I bought it from (Progressive Audio, in Columbus, Ohio) said that the Krell Showcase was their highest recommendation, but that if you didn't want to (or weren't able to) pay its asking price, the Rotel RSP-1066 was nearly as good for a far lower price. I would love to have all Krell in the preamp/amp department one day, but in the meantime, the Rotel/Adcom setup works well.

How do you like your Merlins with the Thiels? My AR's are nice sounding speakers, but their voicing is a good bit different than the Thiels. So far, in surround use, I haven't really noticed, but I would like to pick up an SACD player within the next year, and my guess is that the different voicings will become more apparent when I do.

Tom.
tombowlus
416 posts
 
FWIW, I have since upgraded my amplification significantly to Theta Enterprise monoblocks on the CS3.6's, and Theta Intrepid powering the rest. I have also added a Velodyne DD-12 (great upgrade!). I still have the RSP-1066, but my next upgrade (after my Modwright tweaked Denon 5900 comes in) will probably be to either the Krell HTS 7.1 or the EAD Theatermaster 8800 Pro. I was incorrect in my prior post about the Showcase being my dealer's "highest recommendation." They really like the Showcase for the money, but sonically, the HTS 7.1 or Theta CasablancaIII woudl be their highest recommendation. Of course, they don't sell EAD.
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