Ideas for Pre/Power $9000?

I agree on system balance...I was merely stating the Elacs sale will be little help in getting better speakers to match the $9K electronics...and might be good in secondary system...and remain unsure why OP will not consider an integrated amp

I'm definitely reconsidering my allocation. Also keeping integrated amps on the table.

@lfromsalem 

OK, I’ve got a suggestin for you that’ll address quite a few of the issues that’ve already been brought up by other members. I’m not saying my answer is better, it’s just one of the ways you can skin the cat.

First of all, I’m glad to her that you’re open to buying used because you can maximize your bang for your buck that way, for sure. As you prob already know, generally speaking people who pay insane prices for this gear, especially! when they’re buying new, tend to take really good care of it. Almost all of the gear I’ve ever bought used has been in near new condition.

I’m hoping you can get over your fear of going the Integrated route because, as someone else has already mentioned, we’re now living in the 21st century and apparently the technology has improved to the point that that tends to be a bit of a misnomer now, that separates will perform better. Not always I guess.

Of course, some of the oldtimers who’ve invested a shitload of money in separates wil tell you that’s the way to go. Of course. But I’m gonna disagree. I’m taking this approach because I’m about 3 months into my ownership of a Lyngdorf integrated.

The other brand of integrated I heard mentiined is Anthem. And indeed there are some great offerings from them ... but ... theirs, or anyone else’s room control software that’s native to any other integrated isn’t going to perform as well. That’s not my opinion, it’s what all the reviewers say.

I can only imagine that some folks are gonna disagree with that statement, but I’m gonna encourage you to seek out some reviews and see what they have to say.

Whenever Ipersonally drop big bucks on a piece of equipment I read a s much as I can get my hands on, because it’s part of hat I enjoy so much about this hobby. And consistently, everyone! was talking about not only how easy the software is to implement, but almost all of them said it took things to a new level and outperformed other versions of room control.

I realize I may start a revolution by saying this around here, lol, but from the research I’ve done I learned that Lyndorf’s approach to digital amplification is uniquely different from anything anyone else is doing when it comes to class D design. Surely there are others around here who understand the electronic design and engineering stuff way better than I do.

My undertsanding is that even the digital amps that are getting rave reviews by Technics are not truly, or should I say completely digital. What’s unique about the Lyngdorf approch is that no feedack is required like in a traditional class D design.

Apparently their ICC software plays a role in the performnce also, but tbh I don’t really have an interest in the technical aspect outside of how it translates to performance.

Speaking of performance ... dude, are you ready to rock your socks completely off?

I’m not into metal, but 70’s rock and hard rock are among my favorite genres and I’m here to tell ya: you will have a big smile on your face if you go this route.

There are 3 versions of the TDAI. I’ve got the middle brother, the 2170. It was the first generation. They did away with that model and now there’s essentially a little brother and a big brothe to itr. And which one you can afford will most likely be determined by your pocketbook.

And power? The 3400 has 200 watts into 4 ohms. The good news about your Elac speakers is that the Lyngdorf will actually make them sound "the way that the speaker designer intended them to sound". And I’m thinking they’ll work just fine until you decide which speakers you want to upgrade to. And I recommend that it would be best to wait and score your speakers until after you’ve gotten to know your Lyngdorf, so to speak, so you can get the perfect match for you!

Oh, by the way, if you take this route and, let’s say you score the big brother model for four grand ... according to the budget you laid out you’ll have another six thousand dollars leftover to work with. !!! : ) Do I need to keep going on about this one box thang? Be sure and read what the reviews say about the necessity of a DAC with the Lyngdorf approach. And the wire with gain concept. It’s cool stuff.

I don’t want to try and explain the electronic design to a bunch of hard core audiophiles, because I don’t understand it nearly as wel as mostl. But surely there are some folks on this thread that can!

If you sit around and wait for a good deal to pop up and do a good job spinning a deal I wouldn’t be surprised if you could get one for four grand. Where in the world can you get this kind of performance for a price that’s anywhere close?

I read that you say you’re not covinced about the one box solution ... but I’m gonna suggest that you take another look at the option because I think it’s the way to go to get the sound you’re after!

Sorry about the epistle.

In regards to an earlier comment by the OP, many Integrated Amps are available without any DAC or digital features…digital would be completely separate and upgrades up to you…

@tunefuldude I will definitely take your advise and look into the brand. Sounds interesting for sure.

@jl35 I'm thinking analog integrated maybe the ticket for me.