Power amps and speaker control....

Posted by AbeCollins (A) on October 3, 2004 at 23:42:41

Well, I've been playing with some power amplifier extremes in my system. I have a pair of 50wpc AES/Cary SixPac tube monoblocks which sound incredible even though the bass isn't up there where I want it to be. But it's still better than the CJ Premier 11a tube amp I once owned.

I also have the 150wpc PS Audio HCA2 digital amp which isn't as transparent or 3 dimensional as the tube monoblocks but it does offer decent bass impact.

Then there's the 50wpc Krell KSA-50S. Wow! Talk about taking control and effortless dynamics. This amp rocks... and it's more transparent and open than the PS Audio HCA2. I've also owned a 300wpc Classe amp, 100wpc SS BAT amp, 125wpc SS CJ amp, 30wpc Pass Aleph 3. NOTHING has come even close to this Krell KSA50S.

Just for the fun of it, I disonnected the Krell and put the PS Audio HCA2 back in the system. What an eye opener. It's like listening to a transistor radio vs being 'in the music' nearly live at loud non-retrained listening levels. I had no idea that my speakers could play that loud - and clean.

So, I'm convinced that the wattage rating of an amp has nearly no bearing on how it will perform in one's system. I have a 50wpc Krell that totally crushes anything else I have ever owned, including a 300wpc Classe and 100wpc BAT. It must have something to do with damping factor and the amount of current this amp can deliver. And it gives up very little in transparency dept compared to the tube monoblocks.

It's like I've rediscovered this hobby all over again and I'm really enjoying my CD's again.

Accuphase DP-65v -> PS Audio PCA-2 Pre -> AES/Cary SixPac tube amps -> Tannoy D500 spkrs

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Topic - Power amps and speaker control.... - AbeCollins 23:42:41 10/03/04 (22)

trumpet fanfare please!!! Another convert to better understanding !!! - Sean 21:27:29 10/08/04 (0)

yet another discovers Reality.. - Bare 19:39:45 10/04/04 (0)

Re: Power amps and speaker control.... - Artar1 11:48:36 10/04/04 (0)

Re: Power amps and speaker control....and for only $1020! - Awe-d-o-file 09:56:29 10/04/04 (6)

Re: Power amps and speaker control....and for only $1020! - AbeCollins 13:17:11 10/04/04 (5)

Abe...an off topic question - btone88 09:37:58 10/05/04 (2)

Re: Abe...an off topic question - AbeCollins 11:25:18 10/05/04 (1)

Thanks (NT) - btone88 11:49:03 10/05/04 (0)

Re: Power amps and speaker control....and for only $1020! - sogood 23:33:16 10/04/04 (1)

Re: Power amps and speaker control....and for only $1020! - AbeCollins 23:42:10 10/04/04 (0)

Re: Power amps and speaker control.... - Paul L 09:25:03 10/04/04 (0)

I know what you meanâ€¦ - millen 07:59:34 10/04/04 (6)

I believe you. - AbeCollins 13:22:58 10/04/04 (1)

I agree... - millen 14:43:11 10/04/04 (0)

Re: I know what you meanâ€¦ - Artar1 11:30:03 10/04/04 (0)

That's not an amp, that's a freakin whole house space heater!!! 8=) nt - Dad 09:13:49 10/04/04 (2)

Fall is in the air and...... - Kal Rubinson 12:35:08 10/04/04 (1)

It sure is... - millen 09:47:46 10/04/04 (0)

Re: Power amps and speaker control.... - sogood 06:00:53 10/04/04 (0)

Re: Power amps and speaker control.... - darkare 03:14:19 10/04/04 (2)

Re: Power amps and speaker control.... - AbeCollins 13:31:37 10/04/04 (1)

Re: Power amps and speaker control.... - sogood 23:58:47 10/04/04 (0)

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