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krell kct, pass labs xp 10 or 2.5, spectral?

Hello All, my current system is:
* B&W 801Nautilus (not diamond version)
* MIT speaker cables
* Mcintosch MC500 power amp
* Accuphase DP500 cd
* Levinson 38 preamp

The sound is not bad at all, never unnerving but it just does not emotionally involve me enough, the system doesn't dissappear enough and seems a bit slow. (I had active speakers before). I would like to hang on to my power amp and cd player (which I know are rather warm sounding both).
I just got the speakers, so could another preamp do the trick? I had Mcintosh c46 preamp in the same system and it sounded more open but more coloured? as if the same sauce was added to each music cd?
I can buy (all used) a Krell KCT for 2800 euro, a Pass Labs XP10 for 2700 euro, or a XP 2.5 for 1500, or a spectral dmc 12 for +-1400... O yes and a Nagra PLP for 4000 euro...
Which would u recommend to make me feel drawn emotionally into my music, where there seems to be no more system? I read many reviews but next to that there is also imput impedance that plays a big role? Please help. As all my options are used market ones, I dont have too much time to chose :)
THX guys!
blueskywalker
danielk141
488 posts
 
The Krell KCT is designed with the CAST cable system.
That's great if you own a Krell CAST amp or CAST CD player.
Otherwise, it's wasted.
Ditto for the Spectral, their preamps seem much better suited to Spectral amps.
The Pass X2.5 can't hold a candle to the XP-10, which is even better sounding than the X1.
I'm not familiar with the Nagra.......
blueskywalker OP
51 posts
 
To danielk141:
So the Krell not used with cast and other Krell components will be nothing special?
Is the XP10 really worth almost twice the price of the 2.5?

Anyone else?
blueskywalker OP
51 posts
 
Another option would be the audio researc ls25 MII for 2100 euro...
dgad
782 posts
 
B&W 801s are a bit slow by nature. I owned them. They need very powerful amplification and to be played loud to come alive. It is the speakers mostly, then the amps and preamp last based on you description.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
Danielk is not speaking from experience. I took my KCT, which I have owned happily for the past ten years, to a friend's and we hooked it up to his Parasond JC-1s and it was magnificent. So absolutely, the KCT IS INDEED something special even without CAST.
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