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First foray into Class A amp -- recommendations

Thinking of checking out a Class A(or quasi) amp just to see if the sound is really better than a nice Class A/B amp. I want to buy a used amp and my budget is $2500-3000. My current class A/B amp is a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe, rev. A.

I've been looking at a lot of amps here on A'gon and what I have come up with so far is the Krell KSA-200S, which, from what I read in reviews, operates largely in Class A into 8 ohm loads up to 200 wpc.

Considering that my McCormack is a pretty decent amp, do you expect that the Krell would offer a significant upgrade in my priority areas of bass slam and control, mid range transparency, and natural high frequencies? I also welcome any other suggestions or ideas. Thanks!
mtrot
mtrot OP
804 posts
 
@No_money,

Yeah, I talked to him and was up front about my situation. He said he appreciated my doing that and that he rarely took in trades but would keep an eye out. He also said it was ok to come by sometime and listen a bit.

Now considering mostly Krell and Pass used amps. Going to take a listen to a Krell FPB 300cx tomorrow.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Mtrot, I wouldn't get too hung up on Class A biasing to be honest, it is mostly marketing bs. For your budget, I would look around for a 2nd hand Modwright KWA-150SE. I saw one on the 'Gon last year in excellent condition asking $3300. The Modwright is warm and tube-like, has PLENTY of power and has amazing inner details. My two cents.
jdoris
972 posts
 
I have a Pass INT-30A, and love it. It's ain't going anywhere. But to some extent, I think watts is watts, and 30 ain't a ton (respectfully disagreeing with those who say the effective watts of the Pass 30s are a lot higher). I'd be hesitant about your Legacies; I have a bud who is a legacy nut, and they seem to want power (which is how Bill W. auditions them, at least when I was at the factory). I used to run the 92db Montana EPS2s, which I loved, but they Pass wasn't really up to it. (I now use 97db Vaughns, with powered bass, to better effect, though I'm not persuaded they are intrinsically better than the Montanyies.)

For all things Pass, check out Mark at Reno HiFi, who is super helpful and has good deals.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Getting a Class A amp doesn't guarantee any type of specific sound. Also, its very hard to isolate what portion of an amps sound quality is due to it being Class A, or some other factors. I know my answer won't be very popular because I'm not giving you recommendations on specific models that you can act upon right away, but if you do some listening, you'll probably find it to be truthful.
mtrot OP
804 posts
 
Hey, thanks for all the advice. Got to hear the Krell FPB 300cx yesterday, as well as a set of Pass XA-100.5, on the same speakers. With respect to authentic sound of instruments and voices, and a sense of depth and placement of the soundstage, it seemed to me Pass was clearly superior. Now, the Krell seemed a bit more dynamic, with more solid attack on percussive transients. I want the dynamics, but, dang, that true sound of the Pass is impressive. As I was told, however, the Pass SHOULD sound better, as you are talking about an $18,000 set of amps.
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