2. amps-preamps
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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
koegz
317 posts
 
Samuel; that is an impressive looking room and set up you have. thank you for your inteligent thought out responce. I will say I have done the highend run around a few times and never have enjoyed it. never really what you want under the right conditions or exact equipment to hear. the best is always whats on hand. don't like the feel of pressure either. even when they are acting like there is none. I am a ware there are many ways to get to the same or similar points. find the bashing and put down of obviously well desighn and thought out equipment to be ignorant and repulsive. I never said Krell is the one and only. I have had experiance with a fair amount of high end co, beyond the product is the backing up of said item. i must say that Krell does that better then most/if not all i have dealt with. which if not important to most it should be. i intended to speak to andy this week. thanks again alway nice to hear from a non basher. HNY p.kogan
energizer
113 posts
 
OK, I WAS NOT INTENT ON BASHING KRELL.MY HUMBLE POINT IS THAT BASED ON PRICE POINTS THERE ARE MORE CHOICES OUT THERE.PERSONALLY EVEN IF I COULD AFFORD KRELL, GRYPHON BURMEISTER ECT, I WOULD NOT SPEND THE PRICE FOR THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN AND DO,THAT IS YOUR CHOICE.TO KOEGZ AND TPREAVES,BASED ON THE TONE OF YOUR RESPONSE. I DONT THINK ANYTHING I SAY WILL MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE ON YOUR OPINIONS OR MINE. WE WILL AGREE TO DISAGREE. WITH KRELL AMP I LISTENED WITH MARTIN LOGAN SPEAKERS.OTHER AMPS I HAVE HEARD ARE MARK LEVINSON, LINN ,MCINTOSH, GAS, SAE, AB INTERNATIONAL , MARANTZ SANSUI,ONKYO,LUXMAN, THRESHOLD,CROWN,STROMBERG CARLSON, HH SCOTT., SPEAKERS- MAGNEPAN THE OLD 70S KLH VON SCHWEIKERT FOCAL MISSION MIRAGE KLISPCH INFINITY DAHLQUIST MONITOR AUDIO DCM TO NAME A FEW.WHAT EVER CHOICE A PERSON MAKES IF THEY ARE SATISFIED, AND WHAT OPINIONS THEY EXPRESS ALSO THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF PRODUCTS OUT THERE I WILL NEVER GET TO LISTEN TO.I MAKE MY CHOICES SO DO YOU.
nglazer
846 posts
 
You cannot just evaluate the cost of a product on the date of purchase. To test its true value, one must amortize its cost over its useful life. By that measure, my Krell FPB 300cx, though expensive on Day 1, has proven to be an excellent value. After 7 years of use 320 days a year, it has never had a hiccup, burp, mystery outage or any other type of malfunction. I have every reason to believe this reliability will continue for years to come. And I know there will be a company there to service it if something wears out. I don't have to worry if a German or Scandinavian mfr will still have a distributor in US or whether it can the amp can be serviced here.

And, BTW, it sounds great! It may not be to everyone"s liking, but it is to many, and has been for many years.

Neal
koegz
317 posts
 
Nglazer, I wish I would have said that! Energizer, WOW!
vicdamone
850 posts
 
What a lofty selection. I've heard the Evo and few other Krell amplifiers as well as a number of Pass Labs. Hearing these all in different environments I wouldn't give much weight to my opinion of each. I would go so far as to say, at this level I'd be much more concerned with the preamplifier presentation assuming you'd be using the same brand. In the case of Krell's Evo it's a system approach. To some degree so are the other brands your considering.

Big class A watts, talk about a carbon footprint.
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