Pure Class A shootout


Hi after doing a lot of research and listening, I think pure class A is still the way to go for me. I'm wondering if you have any opinions on the following amps and how they compare with each other:

1) Gryphon Colliseum (mono or stereo)
2) Gryphon Antileon Signature (mono or stereo)
3) Pass XA 160.5 or XA 200.5
4) Krell Evo 2

They will be powering Rockport Altair's or maybe Rockport Arrakis (still debating that one too).

I see a few dilemmas. For Krell, it seems like the spirit behind their products Dan D'Agostino is no longer with the firm and thus maybe their brand/lineup in the future may be compromised. Also, Krell's preamp reputation is not as good as their amplification. That's similar to Pass as well - great reputation on the amps but not as reputable on the pre-amps. Don't get offended as I'm only talking relative terms (i.e comparing products at very very lofty levels). For Gryphon, their amp and preamps are supposedly top notch, but right now the Euro is extremely strong vs the US$ and I'm thinking I should be picking up something American as it's more of a bargain. Gryphon + Rockport is a "formula" and I know I can't go wrong with it but I'm wondering if there are other options.

So I guess the question is:
1) Have anyone ever compared the best Pure Class A amps? How do they compare with one another? Yes I know they are all good at this level but unfortunately I have only listened to the Gryphons mated with Rockports.
2) Any other options that I should consider? No tubes please as I have no desire to mess with tubes.
3) Should I even compare/consider the older pure class A amps like the ML 33/33H? i.e are the new pure Class A leaps and bounds better than the older reference lines?

Thanks, -Isaac
changster
Luxman makes several pure class A separates as well as integrated amps:
http://www.onahighernote.com/luxman/

Regards,

Mark
Koegz - agree Rockports are fantastic. I've looked at your system serveral times on here and must say you have a very nice setup. Did you listen to the Arrakis before you purchased the Altair? Did you think it was a huge difference? I have yet to hear the Altairs. I went straight from Aquilas (brilliant) to Arrakis (unbelievable) as they didn't have Altairs in stocks. Same room, same equipment/cables, same everything else, the Arrakis had the same characteristic as the Aquila but just more of everything. Bigger soundstage left right up down forward backward, more air, bigger dynamics and slightly more resolute. I can imagine the Altair's being 95% of the Arrakis if the Aquila was 85%.
"The Krell shouldn't be in the list with all the other fine amps listed and the Pass has a metalic glare at the top end."

Pure crap. The Krell FPB series are some of the finest amps ever built. Pass .5 series are also among the best sounding amps available.

Duane, my Krell FPB-600C amp will soundly spank whatever it is that you are listening to. Exactly which Krell amps have YOU OWNED?? Pass??
I have owned and played with many Krell products and have known Dan since 1983.

His stuff is sexy and well built and he stands behind his product but Dan has high frequency hearing loss. That is why he auditions amps with headphones.

The reason I have had many of his products is because I have worked in the high end business for 29 years and I have upgraded over 100 people from Krell to better sounding equipment.

Inside the industry they are known as the Sony of high end. This is why when Sony ES introduces a new design they show how it holds its own with Krell.

These are all facts you can check out.