2. amps-preamps
  3. 1076346359

Step-up from Plinius SA-102?

I use Plinius SA-102, it's a great amp, but i want more attack and control. I've also tried the SA-250, but it wasn't what i was looking for!
I've been recommended to look into Krell. I've heard the fpb 250 mono's at demo shows and found them somewhat fatiguing quite fast!
I also got the impression they are not suitable to speakers which easily can be provoked, to sound a little harsh with bright sounding equipment?
Speakers used are an advanced small serie speaker, it was never put in real production. Mostly for the reason, they were to expensive to build. They are very much alike Avalon's Eidelon and likes in Kharma range.
A 2-way monitor, with ceramique's from thiel and partner.
Each bass-module employs a 10inch tc sounds
(wisdom audio use these) bassdriver cutting in at 100Hz.
They truely has a sensivity as low as 83db.
Impedance is nominally 4ohm but never below 3ohm.
They respond directly to what you put in the chain!
Other links in the chain is,
Meridian 588 and Classe 47.5mk2.
I have decided to first concentrate at amp!
So, anyone with suggestions?
I'm most thankful to anyone sharing info and thoughts!
Ok, thanks for looking in!
128x128inpieces
gogamecocks
37 posts
 
Pass X250 or X350. However, you might want to inquire from someone else if bridging two SA-102s might provide what you are looking for.
audiokinesis
1,872 posts
 
Inpieces -

I tried e-mailing you through Audiogon, but I think it bounced.

Anyway, first off that sounds like a fascinating speaker you have there! Sort of a super-Kharma with deeper bass, but low efficiency. That low efficiency makes me think that, if there's one area your speakers could use a little help in, it's dynamic contrast.

The big electrostats I sell, Sound Labs, have a similarly low efficiency (though it's improved a bit of late). So I'm always on the lookout for lively-sounding amplifiers that don't have any grainyness (which the Sound Labs will reveal). An excellent amplifier in this respect is the Parasound JC-1, which is genuine competition for other solid state amps I sell up to twice its price. The JC-1 also works very well on non-electrostats that could use a bit of help with dynamic contrast, such as Maggies. They put out around 1100 watts into the 4-ohm load your speakers present (according to Stereophile's measurements).

There are plenty of JC-1 dealers so chances are there's one within reasonable distance from you who'd be willing to arrange an in-home audition. If you're within several hundred miles of New Orleans and don't have a local dealer, I'd be willing to drive a pair over to your house for you to try.

I'd be happy to take a shot at any questions you might have.

Best of luck in your amplifier search!

Duke
rsbeck
887 posts
 
Be careful what you wish for. Too much "attack and control" can certainly be fatiguing, as you found out when listening to the Krells. I think the Krell monoblocks are great for a speaker that is difficult to drive, but in a dynamic speaker, it can be too much of a good thing. I had Krell FBP350 MCX's in my system and it was a little too much. I switched to Levinson 436's and for me it was just right. Detail and
accuracy without the fatiguing edge, musical bass without so much boom, just a touch of warmth, wonderful extension, snapped the whole system into place, etc. etc. etc. I encourage you to give them a listen.

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