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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
 
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.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
FWIW the MA-2s can handle a load like this easily. Customers have reported excellent results. Being a much larger amplifier than the M-60s they are not nearly so sensitive to load and there is a much longer list of speakers that they will play with ease.
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?
rwjp
33 posts
 
What makes the MA2 able to handle larger impedance swings than the M-60 can handle, and how can a consumer evaluate this?

More tubes= lower output impedance
m-60 4.1 ohms
ma2 1.75 ohms.

would be my guess.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The number of tubes!

Thanks!
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