8-10k budget suggestions please


Hey guys, 

been out of the game about 10 years, got a new wife, new house, and plugged in my old B&W 804's.  Connected them to a Denon receiver expecting to want to do surround sound.......But forget it!  I really want to maximize my 804's for 2 channel listening.

My room is 15ft long by 13 by 9.  not very big but I need amplification and streaming capabilites.  Will add TT later as I do have vinyl.  Room tx is on it's way so let's just assume it's already done.

 

Thanks for all your help!

128x128asmithkash

@laaudionut 

I think you should give listen to the modern-day B&W diamond series. When auditioning, I compared 802D3 to Paradigm and Kef Reference. The B&Ws were the warmest of all. I did not find the tweeter bright at all. The Paradigms were like nails on a chalkboard! 

Also, I see you don't care too much for McIntosh. I just purchased a C2700 tube preamp and MC611s. The system is not broken in yet, but it has provided me with some of the most realistic vocals I have ever heard. The MAC integrated would provide great synergy with B&W and a pretty nice DAC (upgradable) and future phono capabilities, as the OP wishes. The icing on the cake would be HDMI (ARC) for hookup to the tv!

Daledeee1. Definitely doing room tx

 

jeffreyw. I have no opinion on Mac. It seems like with audiophiles it’s kind of like when you were a kid…. you were always looking for the new band that nobody knew ….and if you were the first one that found the new cool band you felt like a boss. Bands like the Beatles were good but if you were the first to find out how good Led Zeppelin was well crap you were a boss. Kinda feel like Mac is the Beatles. Does that make sense? People wanna be first to find the new special brand.
Also so many different perspectives on what you find important. I don’t even know yet. Maybe I’m so new I just want something to blow me away but in the future I will have a different opinion on what I appreciate

In the first 15 years of my Audio Bug, so to speak, I was completely infected by the McIntosh Brand. C42 Preamp to a C2300. MC150, MC300, MC501 Monos, MC601Monos, MC2301 Monos...the handsome looks and Big Blue Meters had me in a trance. Only when my audiophile peers within my circle of influence began venturing into brands like, Pass, Audio Research, Krell, Accuphase, Luxman, Coda etc. did I realize the the Big Mac sound that I had long coveted was not the sound that I (now)preferred. I suppose I should not speak so disparagingly of the brand because for many years as mentioned, I was as loyal as those I now question. 

i never make an audio purchase w/o 1st consulting Absolute Sound . a quick look at their site presented a review of Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier which is "highly recommended" at a nice price as well . maybe this is good enough for you and suits your purposes though i am not certain of them . --Best

Go for the KRELL. That K-300i integrated is fantastic. I am working a second job to buy the KRELL KSA i400 amp which has some of the same tech as the K-300i. I had the K-300i integrated and then the Duo 175XD amp. Both sold to get the KSA i400.

The KRELL is very smooth and buttery. Perfect for B&W speakers (I think). Only heard B+W at dealers.