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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

Showing 6 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
10-07-08: Atmasphere
FWIW the MA-2s can handle a load like this easily.

What makes the MA2 able to handle larger impedance swings than the M-60 can handle, and how can a consumer evaluate this?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The number of tubes!

Thanks!
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I know first hand that the Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamp matches well with Pass Labs amplification. Since the Dyns are unfriendly, I'd suggest the Atma/Pass combo.

If the speakers were friendly...the answer would be obvious. However, I suspect you will very much like the Pass Labs on the Dyna speakers.

I have never heard Krell.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Rushton, do you think an impedance curve ranging from 4.6 to 9.2 ohms is
flat/benign/friendly?

No agenda. Just wondering.

As I recall, most of the speakers recommended by Atma-Sphere have a
smaller spread between the low and high impedance spec, which would result
in a more balanced tonal presentation.

At least this is what I thought I had learned from Ralph. Maybe I need to go
back to class.

My Silverline Sonata III have a similar impedance curve to the Confidence 5,
and the Atma-Sphere M-60 amps did not match well. Perhaps the MA2 are
significantly
different than the M-60.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
10-07-08: Audiokinesis
The MA-2 will have sufficient power, but I'd want to look at the impedance curve and frequency response curve of the speaker before voicing an opinion on that match-up.
Impedance match was my only concern as well.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
10-07-08: Springbok10
...they easily drive my SP Tech Revelations, 4 ohm impedance.

The pertinent (missing) information here is the impedance curve. Nominal impedance doesn't tell the complete story. Perhaps the Revelations have a flat impedance curve that does not vary substantially from the 4 ohm nominal specification.

It'd be hugely beneficial if manufacturers gave impedance curve specifications rather than only the nominal impedance spec. IMO, nominal impedance can be misleading and does not apply to speakers across the board.

I'm not questioning Springbok10's experience with his speakers and the Atma amps, but I'm using his speakers as an example to illustrate the point.
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