2. amps-preamps
  3. 1421654704

Audio Research Ref 3...& Krell Showcase 5 poweramp

Hi, I have Krell Showcase Processor and Amp which sounds superb for movies but never been convinced when it comes to music, which is really my passion. So I've just bought an ARC Ref 3 as it can take a pass through from the processor. So I can play all my music (turntable, CD, FLAC & radio) through the ARC and the Krell will pass through it for the front two speakers for movies.

My question is - am I seriously limiting the potential of the ARC for music by using two of the Showcase amp channels? Is the Krell good enough or should I get a separate amp for the ARC and somehow run two separate systems? Be great to hear people's views. Thanks
mwelliott99

Showing 3 responses by mwelliott99

mwelliott99 OP
4 posts
 
Thanks guys. I listened last night to my new set up and although the ARC ref 3 made an incredible difference I think I can already hear that the Krell Showcase amp is holding it back. The Ref 3 sounds so effortless and musical with a big soundstage and accurate voices.....but something slightly indefinable is missing. It's as if it's being pushed through a funnel and everything is there is is being slightly compressed, as if it's gone through a funnel.

I thought this would work but I don't think the Krell multi-channel amps are up to it.
mwelliott99 OP
4 posts
 
Thanks Al. Why would the balanced/unbalanced cables make a difference? I currently use balanced connections between the two but don't really understand the difference between the two.
mwelliott99 OP
4 posts
 
Hi Tjassoc, really grateful for your thoughts/help. I'm slightly embarrassed by my system as it isn't as high end or we'll put together as most of the other systems on this and other forums...but I'd like to get to the right place in the end!

Music is my passion and I originally thought that the Krell showcase processor and amp would suit movies and music as the processor has a pre-amp pass though....so CD, turntable etc can bypasse the processor entirely. But as I was starting to suspect (& the ARC Ref 3 proves) that the preamp part of the Krell Shocase is not good enough...which makes me doubt the Showcase amp too.

The rest of my system is Sonus Faber original Cremona speakers with Transparent Music Super (?) cables. My source components aren't great - Rega Planar 3 TT, Pioneer N50 music server fed through a Chord Hugo DAC.

Not sure where to go next. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks. Matt
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