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First foray into Class A amp -- recommendations

Thinking of checking out a Class A(or quasi) amp just to see if the sound is really better than a nice Class A/B amp. I want to buy a used amp and my budget is $2500-3000. My current class A/B amp is a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe, rev. A.

I've been looking at a lot of amps here on A'gon and what I have come up with so far is the Krell KSA-200S, which, from what I read in reviews, operates largely in Class A into 8 ohm loads up to 200 wpc.

Considering that my McCormack is a pretty decent amp, do you expect that the Krell would offer a significant upgrade in my priority areas of bass slam and control, mid range transparency, and natural high frequencies? I also welcome any other suggestions or ideas. Thanks!
mtrot
mtrot OP
642 posts
 
@Pnmeyer,

Well, yes, the McCormack is pretty good. I just thought I'd check out a nice used big class A amp and see how much difference, if any, I can discern. If not, I can just sell it. I will never know unless I check it out for myself.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
I don't own Accuphase (yet) but have heard them at several consecutive CES shows. All I can say is they're the real deal. They are dynamic, transparent, and sublime. It's pretty damn realistic overall. With a great build and parts quality as well. To be on the safe side, I would partner the Class A amps with efficient speakers, but I've heard of good results with less efficient speakers too.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
Yes the XA-30.5 looks to be a nice one and he's asking for offers, $2500 should be a nice price if he accepts.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-pass-labs-xa-30-5-class-a-power-amp-mint-condition-remaining-warranty-2014-08-20-amplifiers-30248-locust-grove-ga

Cheers George
dayglow
708 posts
 
<3k for a Class A amp doesn't leave you with many options. As always be careful buying used especially with an older(20+ years) amp. My suggestion would be a Krell KSA 80. It has been claimed by many to be one of the "best" sounding of the older Krell amps. A new option(slightly over budget) would be the Jungson JA-50 mono blocks($3800)from Grant Fidelity. I have not demoed this model but have heard other Jungson amps at AKFEST shows and was impressed with the build/sound/price ratio.
mtrot OP
642 posts
 
@Dave 72,

I actually have a close dealer who sells Accuphase, Krell, Pass, and ML, but, of course, then I am looking at new or demos, which are going to be more than I want to spend. I'd like to listen to his stuff, but I don't think it's right to take up his time if I am most likely going to buy used.

@ all,

I ran across a Krell FPB-300cx close to my price range, but upon investigation, I found that it does not have RCA inputs. It was suggested that I could use XLR to RCA adapters, but I did some reading on that and many caution against trying to do that. The statement was made that this could result in cutting the power output of the amp roughly in half. Does anybody have any experience with using XLR to RCA adapters with a big Krell amp like the FPB-300cx?

I wonder how much difference in sound quality there is between the FPB-300cx and the FPB-300, which DOES have analog inputs?
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