Replacements for Dynaudio Floorstanders

Yeah. Looking to keep the Krell integrated and the DAC. I don't like the tube sound...period. Listened to a bunch of them and just don't find it appealing. Warmer speakers is what I'm looking for. I'd even be willing to sacrifice a little bit of the Dyns resolution for a full range box, hence the 802s or Mirages.

Since I've heard the Nautilus line, I'm basically looking for other suggestions, or if anyone can give me a clue on whether OMD-28s would be a downgrade in terms of resolution and soundstage. Thanks for the suggestions!

Not the response I was expecting, but considering everyone is saying the same thing...

Fact is, I originally wanted a Levinson 383 to run my Dyns. Hard to find one on here anymore. And most of you seem to recommend keeping the Dyns. I have to say it's a lot of speaker for the money, and of all the components I have I don't want to give them up. I guess I just chalked up the coolness more to the Dyns than to the Krell. Crap.

For what it's worth, I'm using balanced AQ King Cobra cables, stock power cables, and a Ridge Street Audio USB. Thanks again for all the advice.

Anyone have anything positive to say about the Mirage OMD-28? They can be had for $2700 new, and even though they're a very different direction from the Dyns, I'm entertaining the thought of giving them a go. Full range is very appealing.

Thank you all so much for the advice. I never expected to get such a response from folks on here.

I appreciate each opinion, but the overall message seems clear: my issue is not with my speakers. As to the previous poster, my brother has an all Audio Research setup, and when we used his amp and the pre part of my integrated, we got pretty close to my ideal sound. As I said previously, my ideal piece of gear to go behind the Dynaudios is a Levinson 383 Integrated. I LOVE the sound of that thing. I could probably find one used on here if I wait long enough. My only concern is...at 100 wpc, and a bit more into 4 ohms, which the Dyns are...is that enough power to push my 86db speakers to loud volumes?

For the person who mentioned tube stuff, and the distinction between bloom and warmth, that's a fair point. I've listened to some good tube stuff...Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, Musical Fidelity and California Audio Labs. Right off the bat, none of the them appealed to me. Label it whatever you'd like, but I just prefer the solid state sound. I've just come to the realization that, while I love the huge amount of resolution I'm getting out of my system, its presentation is just a bit dry, a little thin, and a little bright. I'm not looking to transform the sound in my system, just to push it more towards a Levinson/Audio Research type of sound.

As for my Benchmark DAC, I'm going to stick with it for the immediate future because it's my newest component at less than two years old. It DRAMATICALLY improved the resolution in my system, though I'll admit it left my sound a bit thin and definitely trending on the bright side. Once I get into a position where I have disposable income, I'll be refining my system one component at a time.

As for my speakers, if or when I replace my Dynaudios, it's going to be with something (more) full-range. I might be willing to sacrifice a little in the way of resolution in order to get that.

Thanks again for everything!

Erikminer: my logic is that I'm in grad school and don't want to spend too much money. However, I'd like to pin down what exactly I should get in the future, so I can keep an eye on Audiogon. Also, my intention was never to replace the Benchmark, nor the Krell, but the speakers. Even if I've pinned down that the speakers are not really the issue, I'd much rather invest in a full(er)-range speaker (ideally one that is a little warmer) that will serve as the anchor of my system for the future and deal with the Benchmark and Krell at a later time.

Might not make the most sense, I'll grant you, but this is a work in progress, and I haven't laid down a dollar to change anything as of yet. I just wanted some feedback! Thanks once again.

I've actually listed my Dynaudios on here. I'm going to bring them down to $1800 (including shipping) later today if they don't sell to a local buyer first. I'm not getting rid of the Krell, but I think those who say the Benchmark is harsh and in your face are probably spot on. I've tried it with my brother's ARC and B&W gear and even there it's a little much. The benchmark will be the next component to be replaced, no doubt.

The only reason I'm eager to move on from the Dynaudios is because I want to grab a pair of Mirage OMD-28s before they're finally sold out. I want proper full-range sound, and I won't get that with a DAC upgrade. Speakers first, then the DAC. Thanks for all the help!

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1304205214&/Dynaudio-Contour-1.8-Mk-II