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amp for infiinity kappa 9

I looking for advice on which amp or amps to use. I'm in a transition from mid-FI to HI-FI. I want to build a system around the Infinity kappa 9s I just bought on e-bay for 800 dollars. I tried to drive the speakers on a yamaha m2 amp. No dice. It shuts down at moderate volume. Step 2 I tried an Adcom gfa 555. Cooked the amp in short time. I have heard that a tube pre amp is recommended because of the emit tweeters. I currently Use a Mcintosh MC2100. It will drive the speakers to its full power but falls short of what the speakers are capable of. Would another MC2100 work if i used the 2 for mono blocks 1 to each speaker or will I still come up short on power? The system I want to build will be very Basic. I have a Yamaha C2 pre-amp, dyno fm-3 tube tuner, Technics SM1200 tuntable, Nakamichi Dragon cassette deck, Akai GX 747 open reel tape deck,DBX 4bx dynamic range expander, and a Denon DCD 1500 cd player. I also have an ADC SS315 equalizer. Now I am aware that these are not the best componets to use but they are all that I have for now. Any and all advice on what to keep and what should go would be welcome. I listen to Blues and classic rock most of the time but sometimes classical and big band is a nice change. I dont even know how much I want to spend. I will just build the system slowly piece by piece and use some of what I have now. Most of this stuff was bought 20 years ago when I was in the service. Can anyone help this newbie out on my quest for HI-FI?
coman61
coman61 OP
26 posts
 
Well allrighty then!! I guess I will have seek out ampzilla to drive these bad boys. I'm not a quiter I will get the job done. Thanks for all the input. Stay tuned and I'll let you all know how this works out. Sean putting in a dedicated circuit will not be so bad because I'm remodeling my listening room. Thinking about getting a big Mcintosh. Anyone had any experence with the Bryston 4b? Also seen some good prices on aragon palladiums. If I find a good deal on a Threhold 500s maybe I'll give it a try. Thanks again everone.
sean
6,231 posts
 
I used a completely factory refurbished Bryston 4B on some speakers that are also low impedance and very insensitive. Not only did it not sound good, it was constantly going into clipping. I would highly recommend that you NOT use one of these amps.

There are a few guys that i've talked to from this and other forums that have Kappa 9's. Wanna guess which amp(s) they are using??? I already suggested it above. Sean
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mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,604 posts
 
I have a pair of Kappa 9's that I run bi-amped with two pair of Carver Silver 9t monoblocks. The monoblocks run for less than $1500 per pair used here on Audiogon and Ebay. Gobs of power and one pair will run them quite nicely, bi-amping them takes everything to a whole 'nother level. I ran a Sunfire Signature with them and loss too much bass slam, so I went back to the Carver monoblocks. When I used the Sunfire Signature, I did not have the Apogee mod...that could have made a difference in the bass.

I called Infinity and they plan to make the re-stock a replacement for the bass drivers in February '05. I've seen many guys here on the 'Gon say that they have gotten the bass drivers re-foamed and they work as good as new.

good luck with your new speakers!

mitch
Check out my system here at mitch4t
I love the Kappa 9's !
coman61 OP
26 posts
 
Nice systm mitch I'll keep the carvers in mind. Did you need a dedicated circuit to all amps?

Sean I will also keep the sunfires in mind but I would like to find them with the apogee mods already done. Its bad enough I have to look at the Kappas now and just barely be able to drive them. antisapation is killing me.
sean
6,231 posts
 
I sincerely doubt that someone will list their Sunfire's as having "the Apogee mod" as that is what Robert Levy of Sunfire refers to them as. Sunfire's technical dept calls this their "thermal and high current update". Good luck finding used models that have this done.

As far as the Kappa's go, use what you have. Just take it easy on the spl's and you won't hurt your amp. The more that you push the volume up, the less headroom and mores strain on the amp. Too much strain on a steady-state basis with a lack of headroom results in thermal stress, distortion and the potential for the amp and / or the speakers to go "poof". Sean
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