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

@asmithkash - what music (2 channel) do you listen to?  And at what volume level (minding the size of your listening room)?

One reason you may be getting varying opinions of the B&Ws is that they've made many different speakers over the last 30 years or more with the 804 numbers.  It's unlikely all the generations were voiced exactly the same.  If you have really early ones, you may need to replace surrounds, ferrofluid, or crossover caps eventually.

If I were you, I'd get tickets to a concert or play in Houston, book a hotel room, take your wife on a well-earned night out, and spend the next day listening to some contemporary setups.  That'll help orient you a bit & give you a chance to see if there's a dealer you want to wok with.  If your wife is like mine, she'll love you for the night out, but might find other things to do for all or part of the next day.

For 7k, the KEF LS60 are getting strong reviews and gives you streaming, amplification, & a new set of speakers

Hey guys, thanks for all the help.  I'm pulling the trigger on the KRELL.  

Petaluman,  that is a great idea!  I will definitely do that as I move through this journey but the Krell makes sense to me.  I listen to rock, some country, and that is about it.  I have the little LS Kef's in my living room and love how easy they are with everything built in.  They sound great, but nothing close to my B&W's.  At least to my ears.  

any suggestions on cabling guys?

have you listened to the Krell or just pulling the trigger? For 8K, separates make more sense (as I read, not that I ever tried)

just pulled the trigger.  I will have this amp for 30 years.  Its everything I need right now.  Maybe one day Ill go with Harbeth's and tube separates!