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#1
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Need an amplifier to "modify" my system's sound
Recently, I changed my speaker cables from 20-year old Transparent MusicWave Super (bi-wired) cables to new WireWorld Silver Eclipses. There is no question whether the result was worthwhile; the improved clarity is really rather remarkable. However, in one regard -- what I'll call "fullness" -- my new sound is less satisfying. I am not about to return my new speaker cables, so I am asking my fellow audiophiles about the likelihood of being able to "have my cake and eat it, too" by now updating my power amplifiers.
At present, I use two 20-year old Krell amplifiers (the FPB 200C for left/right; FPB 250MC for center channel) to drive my Revel Ultima Studio and Voice loudspeakers. I recognize that Krell, among others, have made significant technical improvements in their amplifier designs and performance. Would Krell's new XD amplifiers provide a "richer" sound than my current models? Are there other manufacturer's amplifiers I should consider as upgraded replacements?
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Jonathan "Do not go quietly into that good night, . . . Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Main System: Theta Casablanca V preamp/processor; Wadia 8 CD transport and Digimaster DDC 2000 DAC (w/all updates); Theta Compli CD transport; Oppo UDP-203 disc player; Lumin T2 music server/DAC; Roon Nucleus+ core (w/Teddy Pardo LPS); SOTA Sapphire turntable (w/ Premier FT3 arm and Hana SL cartridge); SugarCube SC-2 non-destructive "click and pop" removal device; PS Audio Stellar phono preamp; Magnum Dynalab MD-102 FM tuner (w/MD-205 Signal Sleuth FM antenna amplifier and ST-2 FM antenna); McIntosh MC 611 (3), Krell FPB 200C, and KAV-250a power amplifiers; Revel Ultima Studio (2 - L&R), Voice (1 - center), and Embrace (2 sides and 2 surrounds) speakers; SVS PB-16 Ultra (2) and 3000 Micro (2) powered subwoofers; WireWorld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables; various Kimber Kable, MIT, Shunyata, and WireWorld interconnects; Shunyata Denali 2000/T (2), Denali 6000/S, Hydra [original], Hydra 2, and Venom PS10 power conditioners; various Shunyata Delta, Venom, PowerSnake, and Sidewinder power cords, and Venom Defenders (2); Richard Gray's Power Company Substation and 400 Pro; Luxul AGS-1024 Ethernet switch; Sound Anchor amplifier stand; VTI (2) and Billy Bags (4) equipment racks. |
#2
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If you can hear the difference with the new cables, specifically improved clarity and you heard fullness and richness with the older cables, then that tells you your amplifiers are capable of much more, in every aspect.
My suggestion would be give the new cables a few more weeks and everything will sound better. The ears/brain just needs to adapt. |
#3
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Perhaps all that’s needed is to give your Krall amps a tune-up. New capacitors, if needed, might breathe some new life into your 20 year old equipment.
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#4
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Need an amplifier to "modify" my system's sound
Good suggestions made already - certainly give the new cables some time to burn in. As for upgrading the Krells, yours are Dan D’Agostino designs, who is now of course Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems. You might consider his newer Progression amps.
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 |
#5
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+1 good choice for you!
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#6
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Quote:
Quote:
You may well find you don't need new amps at all.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#7
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I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my original post. Also, I want to respond to a number of their suggestions and observations. First, both of my amplifiers were sent back to Krell in 2017 for complete restorations. Second, my Silver Eclipse speaker cables have had 300+ hours of listening level music played through them at this time, so maybe additional hours will help. Third, my Revel Ultimas all have aluminum-alloy dome tweeters and aluminum midrange woofers; aluminum is known to have a tendency to be somewhat bright and even at times a bit harsh sounding. My prior Transparent cables might have mitigated that brightness with their own "mellowness", though that is just a supposition on my part.
I live a long, long way away from any high-end audio dealer. It is not really practical for me to audition a number of candidate amplifiers, should I eventually conclude that would enjoy my listening more if I had amplifiers that complemented these speaker cables (which continue to impress me nearly daily). For that reason, I am eager to receive the thoughts, insights, and recommendations of other Audio Aficionado participants.
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Jonathan "Do not go quietly into that good night, . . . Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Main System: Theta Casablanca V preamp/processor; Wadia 8 CD transport and Digimaster DDC 2000 DAC (w/all updates); Theta Compli CD transport; Oppo UDP-203 disc player; Lumin T2 music server/DAC; Roon Nucleus+ core (w/Teddy Pardo LPS); SOTA Sapphire turntable (w/ Premier FT3 arm and Hana SL cartridge); SugarCube SC-2 non-destructive "click and pop" removal device; PS Audio Stellar phono preamp; Magnum Dynalab MD-102 FM tuner (w/MD-205 Signal Sleuth FM antenna amplifier and ST-2 FM antenna); McIntosh MC 611 (3), Krell FPB 200C, and KAV-250a power amplifiers; Revel Ultima Studio (2 - L&R), Voice (1 - center), and Embrace (2 sides and 2 surrounds) speakers; SVS PB-16 Ultra (2) and 3000 Micro (2) powered subwoofers; WireWorld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables; various Kimber Kable, MIT, Shunyata, and WireWorld interconnects; Shunyata Denali 2000/T (2), Denali 6000/S, Hydra [original], Hydra 2, and Venom PS10 power conditioners; various Shunyata Delta, Venom, PowerSnake, and Sidewinder power cords, and Venom Defenders (2); Richard Gray's Power Company Substation and 400 Pro; Luxul AGS-1024 Ethernet switch; Sound Anchor amplifier stand; VTI (2) and Billy Bags (4) equipment racks. |
#8
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Of all the possibilities, this may be one of the most salient. These are, apparently, the original Studios (which I used to own) and the newer ones are significantly superior in almost every way. Consider a change here, if you insist "I am not about to return my new speaker cables....."
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#9
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If you really want to change the sound, the biggest difference is when you replace your speakers, imho.
Perhaps it's not what you wanted to do/invest, but think about it. |
#10
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Quote:
1. Speakers 2. Source 3. Amplification Many would put room and perhaps power subsystem (including cable) effects above these. YMMV. |
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