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Krell vs Levinson vs Pass vs Rowland

I know there have been many threads about these amps, however none which addresses these 4 together. I would like to spend between $3-3,500 used and I have narrowed my search to the final 4:

Levinson 334
Krell FPB 200
Rowland Model 10 ???
Pass X250

Which amp has the greatest transparency, best imaging, and will throw the deepest, widest soundstage? I know all will have sufficient bass and satisfying highs, so I am not concerned with those attributes.

I know there will be other suggestions besides these 4 amps mentioned here, but I am really concerned with narrowing these 4 down to 1 first!! Please do not respond with suggestions for other amps. Thanks for any help with this!!
platsolos
jmeyers's avatar
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jmeyers
163 posts
 
Obviously, your ultimate decision has to factor in the speakers this amp will be driving and the cables employed between amp and speakers. I have had the opportunity to compare both driving B&W Nautilus 802s, and it was no contest--the Mark Levinson sounded very closed down and lifeless, whereas the Krell 200C was a perfect match.

I now own the 200C, and I use it to drive Dunlavy SC-IVs with Transparent Audio MusicWave Plus cables. Generally, I am pleased with this combination, but not so much so that I am not replacing the Dunlavy's with Revel Studios next week---and I am NOT replacing my Krell.
gregm
3,405 posts
 
J meyers has a point regarding, which speakers? With large dynamics and considering I mainly listen to classical & blues/jazz, I would narrow the list to Pass or Rowland. I expect detail from Pass and musicality from Rowland -- then, I'd gauge which of the two gives me the best of my quest for audio nirvana.
Good luck!
ljgj
955 posts
 
I agree about narrowing things to the Pass and Rowland. If you can audition both that would be great but either would be musical with a better natural sound than the Krell and Levinson. I would personally go with the Rowland - it would probably hold its value over the Pass in the long run and sounds a bit more like a live presentation would.
nicolae
9 posts
 
I had a 334 in a complete Levinson line: 390 380s 334. Well...334 was replacing a Classe 200 and was I in for a big disappointment. At first I blamed the speakers then the cables but two months later I realized I have nothig left to blame so I sold all my Levinson gear starting with, you guessed, the 334.
You can talk all you want about bass control, imaging and soundstage if you don't have detail and dynamics, you have a dark, lifeless poweramp.
Krell is a much better option; It's almost the perfect amp that can fit in any system and drive any speakers.
danielk141
489 posts
 
I heard a rumor the 300 series Levinson amps are getting another upgrade soon. If so a "current" 334 owner will have to get the factory mod to "latest" status. This will be I believe $2000.00? I think that's what it cost the first time for the 333... Ask your dealer!

I'd go with Pass. Just my opinion...

Daniel
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