Great, thanks for the thoughts. So it sounds like good used (B&K is only radar, along with Parasound, ATI, Emotiva, Outlaw) is only slightly more risky than new, and potentially cheaper, with one vote to upgrade amps first and see if that satisfies, and one vote for new mains which may satisfy, but if not, then I can shop for the amp with the sound to best match the upgraded mains. I have been looking hard at Synchrony's or maybe Imagine T2's. I must say I'm more nervous about buying speakers without an audition than I am amps. Thanks, keep suggestions coming...:)
Amps - New vs. Used
Looking to upgrade amplification from my AVR + a 2 channel outboard running the mains. I also have a powered sub, Hsu ULS15.
Am I better off to get a 'higher quality' used setup (be it a 7 channel or combination of multiple amps), or buy new amps?
I'm wondering about the changes in designs, performance, reliability that may have occured in the last decade or so. I have no problem buying good used equipment, I like to get the most bang-for-buck, obviously, and used has the potential to increase that quotient.
I don't have a set budget, I prefer to wait a little longer if necessary to get what I'll really want, but lets' keep it in the $2-3K range. EBay always seems to have options that seem good in the sub $2K range.
Room is a 12X19X8 rectangle, my 125wpc Yamaha struggles when I wind up my low-efficiency speakers, (86db?) but the newly added sub helps. There is a speaker upgrade in the future too. Which brings up a part-2 to the question, should I upgrade my mains first, then worry about amps?
Thanks
Am I better off to get a 'higher quality' used setup (be it a 7 channel or combination of multiple amps), or buy new amps?
I'm wondering about the changes in designs, performance, reliability that may have occured in the last decade or so. I have no problem buying good used equipment, I like to get the most bang-for-buck, obviously, and used has the potential to increase that quotient.
I don't have a set budget, I prefer to wait a little longer if necessary to get what I'll really want, but lets' keep it in the $2-3K range. EBay always seems to have options that seem good in the sub $2K range.
Room is a 12X19X8 rectangle, my 125wpc Yamaha struggles when I wind up my low-efficiency speakers, (86db?) but the newly added sub helps. There is a speaker upgrade in the future too. Which brings up a part-2 to the question, should I upgrade my mains first, then worry about amps?
Thanks