I would not buy the used Spectral as you are limited on the cableing and most likely would need a matching Spectral preamp as well. There is better for far less $$$. There are plenty of high powered, high amperage amps available on this site.
Starting from Basically Scratch. Help me power some Wilson Watt Puppys
Alright hopefully the title explains the basics. I just made a deal on some Wilson 4Ω Watt Puppys (Series 7), along with a self powered Wilson Watch Dog.
Starting from scratch for PreAmp/DAC/Amp. This is actually to use primarily Firestick, Chromecast, and PS4 (I have a bunch of consoles, but those all get HDMI combined into one HDMI port and sound is not priority these obviously). Music is pretty varied. Hip Hop, Orchestral, Jazz, etc. Will likely try to stream some Hi-Res Audio where I can, but can tackle that bridge later, but keeping that in mmind for components today...
I’m OK with all in one Integrated. I’ve been looking at the Linn Majik, which looks like it would do everything, with 43-100W of Power (power depending on generation I find). I feel like the Puppys would want more power though.
Also looking at splitting everything up with Schiit components.
I really like the look of the Devialet Expert 200-220.though I would need a pre-amp to get all the sources to that one. Can find that for $2k-$3k used
I’ve always loved the idea of McIntosh, but the budget won’t allow it here.
I have a fair knowledge background in car audio, but the more I look at home audio, I see huge differences that I haven’t learned yet. For Example High end big speakers, talking about "minimum power of 12w" etc.
Thoughts? It’s always fun to spend someone else’s money right?
Thanks everyone that reads this chapter one of my book.
Kurtis
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@sunshdw You're spot on with some of my hurdles. I can buy a CLEAN used Linn, and basically use it to combine the HDMI Sources, and either go Analog out using the DAC of the Linn, or go out digital optical, and use different DAC or a seperate or part of an integrated. Also send everything to the TV and HDMI ARC or Optical out is an option. 🤷♂️ |
In my humble opinion and for future upgrades, I would run all your sources into the TV and run optical back to whatever integrated. Once you get rid of/upgrade your current sources that Linn would basically be useless since it's main focus is HDMI sources and seems to be the only connections. I'd buy something with as much power that you can afford (the Hegal is a good option) that has a optical input and those Wilsons will thank you for it. |
@sunshdw "I’d buy something with as much power that you can afford (the Hegal is a good option) that has a optical input and those Wilsons will thank you for it." I somewhat thought the same thing, just don’t know what to trust. A 10 Year old Sharp TV, or something designed moreso for the job (Linn specializes in this stuff).But Digital in = Digital Out Right?. The other thing I left out, and can be done slightly differently is I am also receiving a Wilson Watch Dog (Powered) Sub. It is configurable for Analog in, with crossover out to the Puppies. Oh What to do. 🤦♂️ |
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