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September 19, 2009 - 2:51pm
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Cremono speakers - want to upgrade from integrated to separates
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You are not saying what price range you are considering, but since those are not cheap speakers, I assume that $10,000 or so is not unreasonable.
I think that the preamp that I have is hard to beat, and also the amplifier. I have been listening and improving my system for 30 years, and am extremely happy with the superb sound of this equipment.
They are the Audio Research LS-26($6000) and the Bryston 3BSST2 $3500). If you want even more power, you could go up to the 4BSST2($4500).
Given the efficiency rating of your speakers, however, I am sure that the 3B has more than enough power. Yours are more efficient than mine, and I have far more power than I need in a VERY large room.
Audio Advisor has the specs and info on the amplifier, as does the Bryston website.
http://www.lebenhifi.com/products/rs28cx.html
id go with this and
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1263834597
the above..
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my top 3 would be krell, plinius, and pass labs.
Think hard about staying with integrated, but moving up in power and quality. The Rowland Continuum 500 will give you all the power you're likely need, combined with a SOTA pre-amp section. There are several other choices, like the Conrad Johnson CA200, Krell units, PS Audio, etc.
Separates open up a world of issues with extra interconnects, power cords and isolation devices. Take a quality intergrated, add a top end PC and use high quality ICs to the sources, high quality speaker cable and put the amp on a high quality isolation device, like the HRS M3 and you'll have a superior system for much less investent. Don't think only of the cost of the amp(s) and pre-amp, but also include isolation, ICs and PCs.
Dave
+1 for Dave's recommendation of a quality integrated. I haven't heard the Rowland myself but I would strongly recommend the Boulder 865 of which I have a great deal of experience. It sounds SUPERB, costs $12,000, and as WP put it "It's simple, and it's darn near perfect." Amen.