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speakers/ amps liking one another

Good morning all. Looking for some guidance. I appreciate all that have helped in the past.

I listened yesterday to a secondary 2 channel music only.  Seemed very disappointing.       My primary system has spoiled me. Primary system, following: ATI 6000 2 channel amp, Benchmark LA-4 Line amp, Meitner MA-1 DAC, Project RS2T transport and LTA Linear power supply, SVS SB 4000 Sub, Tekton upgraded Double Impacts. Also streaming Qobuz.  In a very large area, listen to only R&R loudly. System is to Die for.

Second system is composed of Peachtree Amp 500, and Peachtree PreDac (preamp) audiolab 6000 transport, Benchmark Dac 3B,  Focal Aria 948's. 2 channel system only, music. Much smaller room 13x13'  Did the speaker placement job a while ago. Note: Focal says speaker can dip to 2.5 ohm's?

I believe my weak link is the Amp and preamp combo (Class D) Looking for used recommendations for SS amp class A/B or A that has some real CLASS power to it. I'll deal with a preamp to add to the amp a little later. Use the present preamp until I can afford a better one. 2 or 3K, give or take some. Any help would be great. Robert TN

robshaw
bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,625 posts
 

@robshaw  You can't go wrong with the Hegel 390 or 590.  Great amps and fully integrated.  You may find yourself selling the preamp/dac you're currently using.  Give them a listen if you get a chance.  They do come up on the used market from time to time.

kota1
2,706 posts
 

+1 on fuzztone in that I would try room or room treatments before changing amps.

If you decide you want a new amp I would recommend Parasound integrated amp or a Marantz integrated. 

soix
11,237 posts
 

What don’t you like about what you’re hearing now, and what specific improvements are you looking for?  Also, as others mentioned your small, square room is a nightmare, and I’d be surprised if you weren’t experiencing bass issues of some sort.  Room treatments would probably go a long way toward improving the overall sound. 

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 

The weak spot is the small square room. If it were me I would take measurements, treat the room,then decide on components. My room is slightly larger and also square, so I can relate to the struggle.

avanti1960
1,744 posts
 

I do not see the smaller room being your biggest issue.  

You are coming from a Linear Tube Audio amp which are awesome (i think, not clear in your post) driving the highly sensitive dynamic Tektons going to the Bland sounding Focal towers.  

In my experience it is much more difficult and expensive to make speakers sound dynamic with more amp muscle than to use more sensitive speakers.  

If you want to try, a used Benchmark AHB2 might help but I think more sensitive speakers are needed to compete with your main system.  

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