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I have been into high end audio for 20 plus years and have had about everything from Audio Research, Mark Levinston, Vintage Marantz and Mac tube gear and the Krell KSA 100 is the best class A amp for the money on the used market, period!!
If you are looking for something that will drive the most demanding speakers this is it. I will warn you that in the winter time this will act as an additonal furnace in your listening area because it runs hot. And if you are always looking at you electric bill then forget it because this unit loves power because of its pure class A operation. Well, enough of my babbling, all I can say is for under 900 bucks you will not find anything that performs as well as this amp.
Strengths:Wonderful tube-hybrid like sound with superb control and authority, yet warm and musical. Very dynamic. Could find one relatively cheap. This is possibly the very best SS/tube-hybrid amp I have ever owned.Weaknesses:Its weight is brutal. Running very hot - I think I could cook omelete on the cover. Other than that, what else can you nit-pick?
Didn't read the whole thread...
Now...if I were looking for a vintage amp to "tide me over"...here's one to seek out....http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1280370585&/Krell-KSA-100-Sreial--303
Good find, Chris. I wonder how this would work on a difficult load, like the early Timepieces. I'm guessing you've tried.
Now...if I were looking for a vintage amp to "tide me over"...here's one to seek out....http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1280370585&/Krell-KSA-100-Sreial--303I do own one....and I'll never sell it.A few comments found on the web....The new Krell stuff... Just another idea for you...
Correction....not 500 watts....but 800 watts (two as mono blocks)...1 x 800 Watts RMS Bridged (Mono) @ 8 ohmsBut.....the Butler is not the "last word" in the bass area...comes up a bit short there.DAC amps have been mentioned...they are very good....if you can...give them a spin.It really comes do to....what sound is important to you.
Since I am not familiar with the Salk speakers a recco is difficult. If you contact klauss from Odessey he can flavor an amp for your application. The Krell KSA series was a classic series. However the KSA 100 was the best of the bunch IMO. If the Salks have a somewhat neutral presentation audition a Mac as well. Have fun trying.charles
Only during the winter months I'm betting Russell.
It really comes do to....what sound is important to you.
Yes, that's true, it does come down to what sound is important to me. Fortunately I have dual subwoofers to handle the below 80Hz stuff. So now my question is this: when you say they aren't the last word in the bass area, are we talking the real nether regions or the mid-bass?
The Krell KSA series was a classic series. However the KSA 100 was the best of the bunch IMO.
Thanks for the tip. I wouldn't mind picking that up, but this needs to be my permanent amp for a good 10 years. If I used the words "tide me over" in my wife's presence she would say "I knew it - forget it!"
I'd keep my eyes open looking for a used Moscode. You could also give Gary Dodd a call and see if he could build one of his hybrids.
Gentlemen,I will soon be the proud new owner of a Butler TDB 2250. http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb2250.phpI snagged the one for sale on audiogon. Thanks to everyone for their support and recommendations. I finally have the amp I've always wanted.
Let us know how it sounds once you get it up and running.
I will, of course, head out and audition everything I can, but with a piece of equipment like an amplifiers I feel the only real way to audition them is in my own system over an extended period of time.
Gentlemen,I will soon be the proud new owner of a Butler TDB 2250. http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb2250.phpI snagged the one for sale on audiogon. Thanks to everyone for their support and recommendations. I finally have the amp I've always wanted....
