MWW%TNTECH.BITNET@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU (11/20/90)
Hi, I'm relatively new to this news group but I have really been
enjoying it. It's really nice to be able to communicate with fellow
audiophiles! Thanks to all those who make this possible.
I am planning to upgrade my current system down the road and would
like your input. I guess I should say a little about myself first.
I have a subscription to Stereophile (no I don't take their word as
gospel) and look forward to each issue. There may be some or most of
you that see Stereophile as a hinderence rather that a help. I've been
planning a subscription to TAS for a while now but it seems like a lot
of money for a publication that is just every other month. I have a
strong desire to be able to someday get a truely hi-fi system. I am
interested in a system that will reproduce the sound of it's source
(for now primarily CD and eventually Analog) as closely as possible to
the sound of the original recording. I DON'T want a system that is
going to "muck" with the sound. I realize that different equipment as
well as listening environments are going to put their sonic signature
on the sound. I'm not worrying about the room for now just the
equipment.
Of course what I want and what I can afford are two different things.
I hope eventually to gradually be able to do the buy/sell/trade-up
routine until I actually get what I want if I cannot afford it out
right. There is a certain excitment in the pursuit of the high-end
all in itself.
I have been interested in Krell electronics and have recently been
trying to gain a better knowledge of Spectral electronics. I have
heard Spectral equipment but my two attempts at auditioning Krell
equipment has fell through both times I went to my nearest dealer
(3 hours away). Obviously I am going to audition whatever I get
before I buy it!
I'm not necessarily set on Spectral or Krell they are simply two
brands that I happen to know a little about and since I don't
have a wide knowledge of all the high-end equipment I have chosen
these two to "duke it out" so to speak. Other suggestion are
welcomed, however.
So my heart says either:
Krell
KSA-150 or KSA-250 power amp (depending on my eventual speakers)
Class A $3950 and $5700 respectively
KSP-7B pre-amp (or maybe even the KBL if I get rich ;-)
$2700 and $4250 respectively
Spectral
DMA-200 power amp $5995
DMC-20 pre amp $5995
And my head says either:
Krell
KST-100 power amp $2500 Class AB
KSL pre-amp $1800
Spectral
DMA-80M or DMA-80 (what's the difference?) power amp
Class AB $2595 and $2795 respectively
DMC-6 pre amp $2795
How much of a hit do I take for going with Class AB instead of pure
Class A amplification? I'm assuming that with a good amp that it wont
be much... any comments? I have a DENON 200 watt optically biased
Class A amp now. (I wish I had went with my instincts and bought the
Adcom system instead ... argh sometimes salesmen can be so mean, but
I've learned a lot since then.)
I have a pair of Vandersteen 2ci speakers right now and I know that
they can get by on 100 watts with no problem whatsoever. But I've
been auditioning speakers such as: Apogee Stage, M-L Sequel II, and
yes even the B&W 801's but havn't heard the 802's yet. I think all of
these speakers wouldn't mind having 200 watts ;-)
I have also considered as a minimum upgrade just going with B&K's new
M-200 Sonata Series 200 watt mono block amps at $1796 a pair if I find
I can't afford the others when the time comes to take the plunge.
I'm not looking for absolute answers just your insight which I will
investigate and evaluate for myself so I can make up my own mind and
not just blindly follow the advice of someone else like I did with
the saleman who trashed Adcom and praised the Denon. Adcom is better
and I know it because now I've heard it for myself.
Thanks for listening!
Michael W. Wheeler (Bitnet: mww@tntech)
VAX/VMS Systems Support Specialist
Tennessee Technological University
Box 5071
Cookeville, TN 38505
(615) 372-3977