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Atma-Sphere MA2 Mk2.3 / Krell KSA 250 / Passlabs?

Good Evening Fellow Audio Heads!

I'm upgrading my amps (will be a big step up from my NAD S200) which I still love dearly.

The amps that I have the choice to purchase second hand are:

Atma-Sphere MA2 Mk2.3 - AUD $9000
Pass Labs X250.5 = AUD $6995
Krell KSA 250 = AUD $3000

Now the Krell and Atma-Sphere are class A. The Pass labs A/B. Front End will be a Atma-Sphere MP1 Mk3. Speakers are the unfriendly Dynaudio Confidence 5 (no intention of changing these lovely speakers)

Can you please advise your thoughts on what amp would sound best in this situation. Music Reggae / soul / female vocals. What amp listed is the best value? I would say either the Atma-Sphere or the Krell. I have only heard the Pass-Labs in person and that sounded nice and smooth. I like detail in my music.

Many thanks for all your help as it's impossible to do A/B comparisons.

Cheers
Che
che13
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>Perhaps the MA2 are significantly different than the M-60.<<

Indeed they are.

The MA-2 will drive almost anything.
Post removed 
unsound
7,344 posts
 
FWIW, rumour has it that despite claims to the contrary, the Krell KSA 250 is probably more of a high bias class A/AB amp than a pure class A amp. It still might be the best value according to your list.
audiokinesis
2,763 posts
 
I overlooked the last line of the specs Rushton posted:

"Impedance, (200-20 kHz): 5.0 - 7.7 ohms"

That is very encouraging, and I think his assessment that the MA-2 would work fine is correct. Worst case scenario, I think the frequency response will deviate by less than 1 dB from what Dynaudio was getting with a solid state amp (presumably what they designed the speakers primarily for, but that smooth impedance curve makes me think there was a tube-lover involved).

Duke
bryceeboy
115 posts
 
The MA-2's for sure from what you've listed. I had a pair of MA-2's driving Soundlab A-1's for many happy years of listening and the Soundlabs are one of the hardest loads out there. Good luck! By the way the MP-1 with the MA-2's is a hard combo to beat at any price.
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