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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
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.
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
2nd the Pass.
swampwalker's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
If speakers are not OTL friendly, then Pass is the way to go.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Forget Krell and add Ayre to your list.

Better sonics and value.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
The technical specifications of the Coincidence 5 seem quite suitable for the Atma-Sphere MA-2 amplifiers:

"phase correct, 6 dB per octave first-order crossover network"
Impedance, Nominal: 4 ohms
Impedance, (20-200 Hz): 4.6 - 9.2 ohms
Impedance, (200-20 kHz): 5.0 - 7.7 ohms
http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/archive/conf5/conf5spec.htm

I must be missing something in a big way to not understand why you describe these speakers as "unfriendly." I'd encourage you to contact Ralph Karsten at Atma-Sphere to confirm, but on the surface it seems to me that the MA-2 amps would have no trouble driving these speakers. If that's indeed the case, the Atma-Sphere MA-2 would be a no-brainer choice for me.

Disclaimer: Atma-Sphere MA-2 owner
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