Power Amp ~ $2k

2

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2012
    Not really in the same class as Belles, Pass or BAT which are others he mentioned.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2012
    headrott wrote: »
    What was it about the Krell that made you move on? I have heard one of Krell's KSA amps and I wasn't really that impressed. It had a good amount of power and clarity, but it seemed "sterile" to me. Maybe if you throw some tubes at it, it will make a difference. It's kind of buying an expensive amp and moderating it with some tone through another component. Not really worth it (IMO).

    I would look into Pass Labs (which you have listed in your post). Try one of those first.

    Greg

    Good question. The Krell was a KAV-250a. It was in a head-to-head against my Parasound HCA-2200ii. The Krell won, for my ears. Part of the reason it won in my system is because of my ARC tubed pre. When I hooked up the Krell solid state pre that I bought as a package with the Krell amp, I liked the Parasound amp better because both Krells together were too bright. The Krell paired with the ARC pre however, was great. Super detailed, but airy, and serious bass. I wouldn't recommend that Krell amp for use with a sub-par digital source, as it is way too revealing. My DAC is warm and dynamic... very analog-like.

    That said... I needed to sell the preamp, as I never intended on keeping it. It came with the power amp as a great deal. I tried twice to sell the pre on ebay with no success. I figured the only way I could get rid of the pre for a decent price would be to pair it with the power amp, so that's what I did, and sure enough, they sold.

    I don't miss the Krell power amp. Even though I liked it better than the Parasound, it never felt right, and though I'm glad I got to spend a couple months playing with it, I'm ready to move on. Actually, that last last sentence applies equally well to the last couple chicks I've dated...
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2012
    Bryston ST vs SST:

    There is some difference, but whether it's $1000 difference is hard to say. You need to get your ears on some Bryston first. They really are wire-with-gain so any deficiencies upstream will pop out. On the other hand, if you REALLY want to hear what a preamp is doing (or any thing else upstream), Bryston is the way to go. This is why studios use them (in addition to Sony, Capital, Abbey Road, BBC, Dolby and Trent Reznor are also on that list).

    Be sure to check the date codes on both the ST's and the SST's. ST's came out in 98 and ran through 2004, so depending on the year you can still get 10+ year warranty. For SST's, see my earlier post.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2012
    unc2701 wrote: »
    Bryston ST vs SST:

    There is some difference, but whether it's $1000 difference is hard to say. You need to get your ears on some Bryston first. They really are wire-with-gain so any deficiencies upstream will pop out. On the other hand, if you REALLY want to hear what a preamp is doing (or any thing else upstream), Bryston is the way to go. This is why studios use them (in addition to Sony, Capital, Abbey Road, BBC, Dolby and Trent Reznor are also on that list).

    Be sure to check the date codes on both the ST's and the SST's. ST's came out in 98 and ran through 2004, so depending on the year you can still get 10+ year warranty. For SST's, see my earlier post.

    Great info. Thanks.

    What's a good price for models in excellent shape? I was thinking a ST would run 1500, and a SST would run 2500. Is this about right?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited February 2012
    My vote goes to Bryston!!!
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2012
    Belles
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Great info. Thanks.

    What's a good price for models in excellent shape? I was thinking a ST would run 1500, and a SST would run 2500. Is this about right?

    Sounds about right. If you go with ST, there's also the rebadged Lexicon's (NT225= 4b ST). They're about $500 less and not under warranty, but the consensus from people that have sent them in for service (they go to bryston) is that while you do pay, it's far less than is typical.

    Edit: Just found someone that says Lexicon IS covered under the 20 year warranty. If you find one you're interested in, give Bryston a call and see what they say.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    Second resurrection of the thread for an update:biggrin::

    I just pulled the trigger on an amp. It was kind of an impulse buy, but I've been looking at upgrading amps since August, so I was ready.


    And the winner is...









    BAT VK-500. It should be here Thursday. I'll be sure to post impressions after a long weekend of getting to know her!

    1320522441.jpg

    55929562.P2040040.jpg

    balancedaudiovk500inside.jpg


    I'm gonna have to figure out what to do with this thing... at 105lbs and 23" deep, I don't think it will fit in the rack. I guess I'll just get a dedicated stand for it.:wink:

    I'm excited!:cheesygrin:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2012
    That's a nice sounding amp.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited May 2012
    Enjoy your new amp,I think its fun to play with new things.Congratulations
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2012
    That thing is a MONSTER :eek:

    Enjoy!
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited May 2012
    Bryston!!! Well,I guess it is too late now.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • CCNJ
    CCNJ Posts: 384
    edited May 2012
    Contrats on the amp. I have heard good things about BAT gear and I love the faceplate on that beast!
    Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
    Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    lanchile wrote: »
    Bryston!!! Well,I guess it is too late now.

    lol. It's never too late. I'm sure I'll try out a Bryston at some point. :cool:


    I never narrowed down my search to a particular model. Sound is such a personal thing, so there's no amount of research I could do that would let me know what amp's sound I would prefer. I had a fairly small pool of about 5 manufacturers, and I just waited for the right deal to come along. I'm glad that I ended up with the BAT though, because I know the least about that company and their sound. Should be an enjoyable learning experience.:wink:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    CCNJ wrote: »
    ...I have heard good things about BAT gear and I love the faceplate on that beast!

    Some of RT1's posts about that amp helped to seal the deal for me..
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • brianle
    brianle Posts: 572
    edited May 2012
    That amp is HUGE. Are you using it to power the Usher md2?
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    brianle wrote: »
    That amp is HUGE. Are you using it to power the Usher md2?

    Yea, the MD2's and a pair of Magnepan 1.6's for now, but I think I'll be going back to Magnepan 3.6's (or possibly 3.7's) in the not too distant future.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2012
    Congrats on the new amp. That looks like some serious power. It's great to see you take your time choosing the right one.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    organ wrote: »
    Congrats on the new amp. That looks like some serious power. It's great to see you take your time choosing the right one.

    Thank you sir! It was less of a matter of choosing the right one, and more of a matter of finding the right deal. It was important to get something that I could flip for no loss if I need to.

    I'm really looking forward to seeing how this thing does in my rig. I think it'll play nicely with my ARC pre.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited May 2012
    Congratulations! I haven't heard that amp, but all the BAT equipment I've heard has sounded very nice. I haven't heard any of their SS gear however. I am looking forward to your impressions of the amp.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    so given the dual-mono nature of this amp, from its separate on/off switches and power cords, I'm assuming that it's not common ground, and thus not acceptable for my 1C's. Is this a correct assumption???
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited May 2012
    It having bridged/balanced output stages is what makes it non common ground,not the fact of it's being of dual mono contruction.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2012
    FTGV wrote: »
    It having bridged/balanced output stages is what makes it non common ground,not the fact of it's being of dual mono contruction.

    I see. Thanks!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • carlod
    carlod Posts: 1
    edited May 2012
    look at emotiva xpa2 .just hooked up my lsi15s', WOW. I was blown away with the dynamic punch they have now.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2012
    carlod wrote: »
    look at emotiva xpa2 .just hooked up my lsi15s', WOW. I was blown away with the dynamic punch they have now.

    Carlod, he already bought an amp. And you're not supposed to say the "E" word around here, the forum clowns will have their way with you if you do!
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited May 2012
    carlod wrote: »
    look at emotiva xpa2 .just hooked up my lsi15s', WOW. I was blown away with the dynamic punch they have now.
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Carlod, he already bought an amp. And you're not supposed to say the "E" word around here, the forum clowns will have their way with you if you do!


    I'd take that Emotiva over the BAT any day.:cheesygrin:
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    I'd take that Emotiva over the BAT any day.:cheesygrin:

    lolz
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited May 2012
    Plus all amps and cables sound the same.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Plus all amps and cables sound the same.

    And receivers are just as good as separates.
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited May 2012
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    ... you're not supposed to say the "E" word around here, the forum clowns will have their way with you if you do!
    Forum clown mode on...... did someone say the E word?
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