03-27-15: Bombaywalla
Nobody has mentioned the Plinius SA-250Mk4 class-A/class-AB power amp?
I did, earlier in the thread. ;^)
Recommend Class a Amp
This past weekend I purchased some Infinity QLS-1 Speakers and the gentlemen I bought them from was powering them with a Krell KSA-250. I was impressed, how the Krell drove those speakers. Most of my amps are tube and I would like to get me a keeper used well thought of class A solid state amp. I would like to stay in the Under thew 3K price range. Look forward to your recommendations.
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- 47 posts total
Georgelofi maybe this is why:- http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1426108431&&&/Parasound-halo-JC2-what-a-joke not directly applicable but maybe many others have had similar experiences??? |
If you value bass quality, ignore what Tjassoc wrote above regarding the low wattage Pass full class A amps. While I haven't owned the xa30.5 I do own the older Aleph 5 which is a 60wpc full class A model. AND I also own the newer x250.5 which is the 250wpc class A/B behemoth. So I do direct comparisons frequently. While the full class A Aleph delivers absolutely delicious mids and high frequencies, the bass quality isn't great. The x250.5 provides a more balanced sound in my opinion and will drive any speaker you are likely to come across. It's the better choice for most people -- unless you are one who only listens to small scale classical or acoustic music. Class A sound can be addictive however and many fans are okay with the tradeoffs. But the beauty of the Pass AB models like the x250.5 and x350.5 are that they deliver 90% of the sound you will be listening to at most sound levels in class A but can supply the extra grunt when you really need it. |
03-28-15: Abrew19I would not extrapolate any conclusions about the bass quality or any other aspect of the sonics of the XA30.5 from experience with the Aleph 5. They are completely different designs, starting with the fact that the XA30.5 is a fully balanced design while the Aleph 5 is not only not balanced but is not even push-pull, being single-ended. That said, I am not asserting that the XA30.5 would be a suitable match for the QLS-1. I couldn't find efficiency or sensitivity specs for the QLS-1 (although I note that it is recommended for use with amplifiers rated from 100 to 500 watts), but I suspect that its efficiency and sensitivity are much lower than those of the Wilsons Tjassoc referred to, as well as its impedance characteristics being difficult. FWIW my guess is that the XA30.5 would often be struggling to some degree when driving the QLS-1, especially with recordings having loud orchestral peaks or other instances of wide dynamic range. I say that despite Stereophile's measurements indicating that the XA30.5 can provide 195 watts into 4 ohms (more than twice as much as the Aleph 5, btw), although not in class A above about 60 watts. Regards, -- Al |
- 47 posts total