Entry level separates for SDA CRS speakers

Brusco

I'm looking for some entry level separates to drive my SDA CRS speakers.
I have no idea if any of these amps are common ground but assume most are.
These are the current separates I'm looking at. Any opinions on these?

NAD Pre Amp 1700

BK Power Amp ST-140 (concerned about 4 ohm load of SDA's)

Acurus A250 (overkill?)

Aragon 24K Preamp

NAD 2200

evhudsons

I have the b&k st140 and it is a really nice sounding amp, but not real powerful but still should drive the crs+ fine. I do have the nad 2200 as well and it can have some kick to it, should be fine. I am not familiar with the others only due to not knowing much about amps I don't have.

the crs+ is a 6ohm not a 4ohm speaker.

Brusco

6 ohms is not standard as listed on most amps but better than driving 4 ohms I guess. Would you say the NAD 2200 sounds stiffer for lack of a better description? I heard that the B&K St-140 sounds tube-like. I can only assume that tube-like means a little softer or rounder. I can only assume from hearing the difference in my guitar amps.

evhudsons

well, it's hard for me to add adjective terms to the amps, but the b&k in my opinion is a more musical and laid back sound, very clear, very nice. The nad is more of a powerhorse. In fact now I'm using a nad 2700 to drive my massive subwoofers. the nad 2200 I relegated to driving some other speakers in my man/drumming room. The amp I really like for my crs+ as a great match is the parasound 1500a, and there are several models that would work well.

nspindel

I have a modded NAD 2200 that I used with CRS+'s and it sounded quite good, however I've moved up the food chain considerably since then. I tried selling it at one point, but never got too aggressive with it. But I'm still happy to sell it, and even though the listing says I want to do it locally, I'd ship it:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?119095-NYC-area-NAD-2200-amplifier-professionally-serviced-and-modded&highlight=NAD+2200

Brusco

Musical audio is much more important to me. I don't listen at very loud volumes either. I read somewhere that the B&K had issues with lower ohms loads. I'm just not sure if that's one person's experience.
nspindel, why would you have the NAD modded?

I forgot to mention. I'm only going to be listening to music with this system and don't see myself getting into surround or home theater anytime. I just want to break out the old vinyl collection and get back into listening.

nspindel

Hmm, it's unfortunate that the link in my for-sale thread is not good any more, looks like Wayne has called it quits. He wasn't a young guy when I dealt with him several years ago, so I'm not all that surprised. But he had a nice site that talked about this amp, and how there was a run of cold solder joints in the speaker relays out of the factory, and you saw a lot of these units needing to be repaired. So he replaces the relays and also does a whole cap upgrade, which should really be done to any vintage piece. Then he removes some power-saving circuitry that the Brits were into back in those days when this amp was designed. Removing the power saver gives it a good lift in the bass. Finally, I had him remove the ac wiring all the way to the transformer, and rewire with some very nice cord and into an IEC, so you can use a power cord of your choice (I'll include a spare Blue Whale cord that I have). The install of the IEC is a bit of a hack job, as is pictured in the thread, but it's out of sight and perfectly functional and is perfect electrically. It's a really good amp, it's just not my Krell :cool:

Schurkey

Brusco wrote: »

I'm looking for some entry level separates to drive my SDA CRS speakers.
I have no idea if any of these amps are common ground but assume most are.
These are the current separates I'm looking at. Any opinions on these?

NAD Pre Amp 1700

BK Power Amp ST-140 (concerned about 4 ohm load of SDA's)

Acurus A250 (overkill?)

Aragon 24K Preamp

NAD 2200

The Acurus A250 and the Aragon 24K can hardly be considered "entry level". Wow. Grab 'em.

The 24K will probably (but is not guaranteed to) have the Penney & Giles volume control. Even the "stock" volume control is superb--but the P & G is out-of-this-world. Replacement power supplies are available again, so you can get a better-than-Ingot power supply, if you feel the need to upgrade.

Brusco

I will seriously consider these two pieces now. How can I tell if it's the stock volume control vs. the P&G?

Schurkey

Brusco wrote: »

I will seriously consider these two pieces now. How can I tell if it's the stock volume control vs. the P&G?

The stock volume control made by Noble was a 1" cube mounted to the circuit board. The P & G is a round unit, chassis mounted. Gotta pull the cover off to see.

http://www.ebay.com/gds/aragon-preamps-and-home-theater-processors-a-primer/10000000001649104/g.html