In Reply to: RE: New to DACs here...for better sound, get better CD player, AC for current player? posted by Jeff Starr on October 5, 2016 at 05:55:19:
"That picture is it your house? If so, what is that on the top shelf?"Yes, that is in my house. On the top shelf is a Krell FPB 400cx power amp, which is being driven by the front L/R channel pre-outs of a Denon AVR-X5200W receiver.
Yeah, I know the Krell is supposed to be a power house amp, but when I installed it in place of my McCormack DNA-1 power amp, I didn't really notice all that much increased bass prowess and/or impact, connected to my 1990s era Legacy Signature II speakers. Hence, my curiosity as to how I might obtain the sound I'm looking for.
So far, which I guess should be expected, the Signature SE speakers are not an improvement in the depth or impact of the bass over the Signature IIs, although they clearly are a large step forward in the definition of bass instruments such as an electric bass.
Now, a couple of wrinkles with respect to the Krell. Could it be that the Krell is not being properly driven by the Denon receiver? You know, input and output impedance and voltage, etc. Also, the Krell only has XLR inputs, so I had to buy a RCA to XLR adapter.
Further, the Krell info states that it should be used with a 20 amp circuit and plug, which I do not yet have installed. I do have it connected to a high quality 15 amp plug that I installed years ago.
One thing I need to reiterate is that in the system I heard with the Focus SE speakers, which had the awesome bass, the pre-amp and power amps were tube, albeit very expensive and powerful tube power amps. Hence, my curiosity about whether I should move in that direction.
Finally, regarding budget, I appreciate your info regarding the maintenance cost of tube power amps, as that will be a problem for me. Surely there is some solid state power amp that can be set up to grab hold of and really rock these speakers! I don't really have a set budget yet. I first need to figure out what type and level of components and setup are required to produce the kind of sound I'm looking for.
Edits: 10/05/16
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Follow Ups
- RE: New to DACs here...for better sound, get better CD player, AC for current player? - mtrot 07:06:17 10/05/16 (2)
- RE: New to DACs here...for better sound, get better CD player, AC for current player? - Jeff Starr 10:17:57 10/05/16 (1)
- RE: New to DACs here...for better sound, get better CD player, AC for current player? - John Elison 10:57:13 10/05/16 (0)