This started out as a 2 channel system with the Krell Res 2 speakers and KAV-2250 amplifier. These 4 ohm speaker make the amp a 500x2 powerhouse which doesn't really phase anything other than the electric company as it dims the lights (so to speak). I replaced the Krell integrated amp with the S-1000 processor as I made my way back into home theater.
I enjoyed the sound of the Res 2's so much that I ended up doing a full Resolution speaker system with the Res Sub, Res Center and Res 3's for the rears. I use the 3 channel version of the KAV-2250 to drive the center & rears. The sub gets a balanced output from the S-1000. No Cast connections on these 'cheaper' Krell pieces! I mounted the center channel below the TV on heavy duty L brackets. It was practical and I think it ended up looking OK.
So the final phase is to actually own a house with a room that can properly utilize my system along with a nice projector & screen. It does sound really good right now with the room being the next big thing that needs to be completed to make it sound as good as it is capable of sounding. Some acoustic treatments on the walls, etc.
High-end pre/pro with HDMI switching & balanced outputs for all channels.
Krell KAV-2250
Great amp for the money. Great bass as expected from Krell. Very clean crisp sound with plenty of detail.
Krell KAV-3250
Used to drive my center & rears. I always feel like this amp is overkill but it rounded out a system that was a longtime in the making (or should I say saving - as in money). While the surrounds don't need this much power the center channel really benefits from it.
Krell Resolution 2
I have been so happy with these speakers other then when I have to move them. Bass is so tight and the soundstage is BIG. The 2250 drives them fine but eventually I plan to drive them with an Evo402 or maybe Evo600 mono's if the budget allows for it.
Krell Resolution 3
These are more speaker than most people will use for their mains so you can imagine how well they work for surrounds.
Krell Resolution Center
You can never go too big on your center channel speaker. The Res Center makes this theater. To get an idea of the size, it is sitting below a 50
Krell Resolution Sub
700 Watt Krell Amp. 15
Apple Apple TV
160G Hard Drive. Sounds great at low to medium volume levels. HD video out to display photos, movies and CD cover art on screen. It puts all your media in an easy to access system and connects to your pre/pro and TV w/ease.
Cardas Quad-Link XLR
Good cable for the money.
AudioQuest Gibralter Bi-Wire
Anyone that says speaker cables don't make a difference has never had good speaker cables.
When I compared music on the Apple TV to the CDT-1 using my Krell S-1000 as the DAC it was night & day. Much more open sound & bigger sound from the Classe. That is what you would expect but it is nice to hear it for yourself and be happy that a $225 Apple TV box is not as good as thousands of dollars worth of gear doing the same thing. I would buy the CDT-1 you are considering. You can not go wrong for the money. And your last comment is the most important one. The room. We all spend so much time and money to get better sound yet most of us have an untreated, somewhat square or rectangular rooms that hurt the sound from any gear. My next goal is not to get better gear but rather build a better room for the gear I already own.
System edited: I sold the Classe CDT-1. Now my only source is the Apple TV. Easy access to all my music but I know I need to buy a good CD player for more critical listening. Once everything is in a better room I guess...
I do have the Classe CDT-1 which sounds great, just not too convenient. If the volume level of the Apple TV is not being used, just digital out into the Krell I don't know why a different source (Mac Mini) would be any different with the same Apple lossless format feeding the Krell?
