Krell FPB vs Plinius SA-103 vs Pass Labs XA60.5

I know that you didn't ask about any other amps, so just disregard this if you want.

I tried to find a replacement for my Spectron Musician III Mk2 in the Pass XA30.5. Although I loved the bloom of the XA30.5, it didn't work out for two reasons:

1. The heat in my small room
2. The running out of power in complex musical passages.

I went back and bought another Spectron because it's to me, hands down, the best amp that I've had in my system, and I've had Krell, Pass, Karan and Burmester amps over the years.

I run my Wadia S7i directly into the Spectron, but the reviewers all say that adding a tube preamp to the Spectron is the icing on the cake, and you have a tube preamp.

A new Spectron is only $4,000.00, http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-spectron-audio-musician-iii-mk2-w-free-v-cap-upgarde-new-sealed-2013-02-11-amplifiers-91325 and has a 30 day return policy to be sure they fit your preference. They also say that running a second one so that they're in a monoblock configuration is even much better.

I'm just saying that this might be another option, and at 600 wpc @ 8 ohms ( 1800 wpc @ 8 ohms in the monoblock config. ), they won't run out of steam. The added plus side for me is that it runs cool, it doesn't even get warm. The price of $4k for one or $8k for two is probably not above what you'd be paying for the other amps either.

Chuck

Sometimes it is just the recording that is at fault.

I agree with Unsound. I have owned a 400cx for ten years now and 1) it is not bright and 2) it handles complex passages just fine with excellent detail and three-dimensional resolution.

I agree with Stevecham. I had a 400cx for a few years and did not find it bright or congested at all. The 400cx had total grip and control. Much prefered it to the Pass XA series amps that I heard, but that's my opinion. I recommend listening to Pass and Plinius before switching away fom Krell.

Solentgreen, what cables are you using? I had 3 Krell amps, KSA100S, FPB300 and FPB600 and found MIT ICs and SCs worked best. Some cables such as Nordost can make them sound thin and harsh. I don't like Krell pres and have always mate them with tube pre.

What tubes are you rolling in the MW 5400ES? I had a MW Transporter and you can improve congestion by rolling TS NOS 5u4gb and BT CV-181 ... my favorites.

I'm sure you know PCs can help the congestion problem too.