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I am considering a big beefy solid state amp for B&W Matrix 801 Series II speakers. These seem to be brands I might like. I would be looking for something in the 200-300 w/ch range. There are some ML 333's for sale right now. Looking to buy a used amp--can't afford a new one.
I am especially interested in articulate, well-controlled bass and as tube-like a sound as I can get. Do not want etched, over-crisp "analytical" highs. Maybe Krell is too analytical?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
George
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Give us an update George!
How about a hybrid? I had the Ultra 550 and enjoyed its tight grip on the bass (slightly dry, but in a good way), and some nice attributes of tube-ampiness as well. Especially when rolling in tubes from the land of NOS. Were I to fall back from all tubes, I'd start here:(30-day trial period)
Edits: 11/11/14
Of the three that you ask about, I would consider the Classe the best mate for the B&W's. Since they both have the same parent company, they do quite a few shows together. Levinson and Krell are both totally over-rated/over-priced IMHO.
Personally, I am a tube fan now, but other SS amps I would consider would be Clayton Audio, CODA, BAT and JRDG (model 2/6/8/9 series from the 90's). I tend to prefer pure Class A biased SS amps.
Happy Hunting!
I would highly recommend looking into a used Pass Labs amp, perhaps the X250.5. I have had Krell to Conrad Johnson and Pass was a nice spot for me personally to give the musicality of tubes while the grip of amps like Krell and Levinson.
With that, I have really been impressed by Mac driving B&W, and Mac is easy on the ears. We had a dealer who drove B&W with ARC or Classe and I didn't care for either set up, blaming it on B&W but later our Mac dealer got the B&W and they make quite a match, I've not heard the B&W do bass like with the Mac and it smooths them out nicely. I've heard Classe and I'm personally not a fan of the sound although I respect their quality. I find the sound on the dry side.
Just a very musical powerful amp. IMO, far better than the listed suspects.
n/t
...you also consider Pass Labs (maybe a 250.5 or 350.5 if you can find them) or a big Plinius for the sound you describe.
I've heard some very pleasant Krell amps and some that were grainy and sterile. I didn't like the KAV-2250 at all. I absolutely loved the 'small' KSA-50S. The Krell sound might depend on generation and the product family. I believe the "KAV" was geared more toward home theatre.
The only Levinson I ever owned was the 383 integrated amp. It's a pretty looking amp but barely sufficient for sleepy time elevator music. So relaxed and boring! I have no idea how other Levinsons sound.
I had the Classe 10, CA-100, CA-200, CA-300. They were very good in their day and so much better than that other popular Canadian amp maker. I think the Classe "CAM" monoblocks are the ones to get if you can find them. They show up used very rarely.
My biggest concern with these older amps would be aging parts especially filter caps in the power supplies and coupling caps.
With older amps you do have to have them brought back up to spec, but one can save a lot of money by going the used route vs new. I have a KSA 100 that I love. I am just about to bring it to Krell to have it looked over, as it is an original vintage from the early 80s. The bill may be $800 or so, but well worth it in comparison to a similar new amp.
There is a Forte model 3 (200 wpc) listed on Audiogon for $850. I owned that amp years ago driving Dahlquist DQ 10's. It is a fet amp and the closest sounding to tubes of any solid state amp I have used. I have also had a Classe amp (model 15) but the Forte was better. BTW, Forte was a Threshold design.
Like high current as well as power. Those Amps listed should all.fit the bill
George-
Classe' is a sonic match for those B&W speakers.
1) Classe
2) Rotel
3) Bryston
I'd add McIntosh, but I've only heard a B&W and McIntosh combo a couple times.
Amps I've LOVED with B&W 801s?
OLD Krell KSA
ARC 250
Counterpoint
Threshold
Belles
Parasound JC1
I don't think I have EVER heard of any Krell, Levinson or Classe amps described as "tubelike".
Pass Labs or Ayre (no feedback) amps might be something to consider? They are described as more "tubelike" by lots of folks although I don't find them to really sound like the tube amps I like.
Or just get tube amp! :)
Those were all big names in the 90's. Not so much anymore. And yes I did own a 332 and I thought it was a piece of crap.
If you want to buy a new amp, the Parasound Halo A21 is an excellent value. I'm using one for my Thiel CS3.7 speakers and it sounds very good to me. It has exceptionally tight and deep bass, a very natural midrange and smooth highs. I leave mine turned on continuously so it doesn't have to warm up. I can't imagine how any amp could sound better, but you never know.
Good luck,
John Elison
Hello George,
I've owned the Levinson 333 and replaced it with a Krell FBP300, and to my ears and in my system at the time the Krell sounded better. Having said that both amps were 'very' good and packed plenty of low end grunt and control (both amps drove my Thiel 7.2 with authority).
There are 'lots' of excellent amplifiers to choose from that should be able to drive the 801, ones that immediately come to mind are Bryston, Rowland, Passlab, and many more.
One thing to take into consideration is some of these amps are starting to get on in their years and may need servicing soon (bias, caps, etc.), so factor that into your purchase decision.
Jim
For me, the ML 27 was a nice sounding amplifier, and I liked the Threshold T200. These were both class A, high current, at 100 watts into 8 ohms, and would put out 400 watts into 2 ohms.
I have listened to the bigger KSA 250 and did not like it as well. None of them sounded tube-like to me.
For very high power solid state I like the Bryston 7B configurations.
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