2. amps-preamps
  3. 1094592749

Parasound - Pass Labs - VTL - Krell Amp Selection

Hi,
I noticed a similar thread to this a few days ago, from Punkawalla, but just wanted to add another variable or two.

I'm shopping for a new amp for Maggie 3.6's....the Krell I'm using is excellent, but I have the upgrade bug and would like a little more power for the 3.6's.

I've seen a few decent amps and just wanted some opinions to help me unravel the options and hopefully make the best choice.
Setup options steer me toward monoblocks, these provide the easiest integration into my room with WAF considerations.

I hope Sean spots this thread, since I know he has respect for Nelson Pass and John Curl, and wondered if ultimately he had a preference.
The amps I've shortlisted are all available used on 'Gon and I'm listing the prices to help with perspective:

Krell 350Mcx Mono's $7700
Pass X600 $6500
Parasound JC1's $3700
VTL 450's $4500

The Krell's at $7k+ are a little more than I want to pay, though if I could justify the higher price based on margin of improvement over the others, I would probably stretch to it.
The JC 1's seem like an absolute bargain, so much so that I'm skeptical if they can really compete against say the X600's with an original $16,000 retail.

The VTL's really whet my appetite, since I'm a tube kinda guy at heart. But, since I've bypassed fuses on the 3.6's, I must have peace of mind that the amps are capable of delivering the current that these speakers need and that there is no clipping at high SPL's. Also, I need to know that the internal protection circuitry is of high integrity....I don't want a tube failure taking out my tweeter(s).
I've read that the JC1's and the X600's have 'tube like' quality, so I guess I'm trying to achieve 95% of what tubes do best from a SS.

I've been trying different amps now for almost a year. My home office looks like an elephants graveyard (for amps and cables), and it has to stop!!
I need an amp that I can plug in and sit back and enjoy the music, without having to worry about power, or if I should have gone with tubes, or whatever else I worry about!!

My priorities are:
Good soundstage and presentation of scale.
Clarity - natural - openess.
Truth of timbre and natural non-fatiguing presentation- it all happens in the midrange for me.
Enough bass but not bass that overwhelms the midrange and hides inner detail.
Clean highs, maybe on the darker/warmer side of neutral.
Fluid - flowing presentation, not necessarily with the dynamic snap, pop and tizzle that many crave.

Everyone has a different opinion about these things I know, but I've had a lot of good advice here in the past, and I don't regret any choices I've made based on the advice that I've received.

Thanks much

Rooze
128x128rooze
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you MuralMan, for everyone's benefit, I have found the H2O site at:
http://www.iceh2oaudio.com/
The fact that you and others are applying these creatures to the voracious Scintillas makes me feel good. I am looking forward to reading more reviews and eventually hearing them. By the way, where does Henry Ho reside?
Guido
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
No problem Guidocorona,

Yeah, the voracious Scintilla. It screams, "Give me more!" Well, we found a match finally.

Henry has relocated to the Washington DC area. He told me they are having a house built. Meanwhile, amp production is keeping up with demand.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thanks Muralman, I sent henry a note. As I frequently travel to D.C. I might be able to visit with Henry next time.
irish65
170 posts
 
Rooze,
If you are looking for a warm sound from a ss then I would seriosly consider auditioning the Plinius SA250 MKII. I am not sure if your speakers can be bi-wired or amped but two of these beauties put out 1000 wpc of class A when switched from stereo mode to mono. If I could have bi-amped my Thiels I might have gone with the Plinius over the Pass. I think most people who have listen to the Plinius will say it is the warmest sounding ss amp out there. It also has plenty of power. I just thought I would give you another option.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Spoke to Henry. I found out a couple of technical details about the H2O mono amps missing on the web site:
1. They are a full balanced dsign with both XLR and RCA inputs.
b. The power supply is an analog, continuous Power supply, rather than a switcher.
c. The amps can generate 20 amps continuous and approx 50 amps peak.
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