Classe DR-8/DR-9 or Krell KSA 50 for Apogees?

D

Dr Rock

Joined
Apr 27, 2006
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
Location
Midlands
Hi all,

Just wondering how 1 (or maybe a pair) of Classe Dr 8's or 9's would compare against 1x Krell KSA 50 running Apogee Calipers?

Front end is much modified Arcam Alpha 5+ CD and Manticore Mantra TT with Magnepan Unitrac and Grado Black.

I'm just trying to get a handle on how to maybe improve? the sound....

Cheers,

Fraser
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi,

The Caliper was, IIRC a nominal 3 ohm load, so not as tough as the original Scintilla, but it still used to eat the KSA50 and Apogee generally recommended the KSA100.

I've heard a lot of people are getting excellent results with switching amps driving Apogees - so I'd try and hear something like the Tact SDA2175 and maybe a Bel Canto or two along side the Krell. My experience of Classe was that it was not that great into difficult loads, but I never tried the model you refer to - only the CAV150 and Omega Monos.
 
Dr Rock said:
I'm just trying to get a handle on how to maybe improve? the sound....

Cheers,

Fraser
Click to expand...


You are looking in entirely the wrong direction.
You are feeding Apogees the signal from a £50 Grado cartridge on a decent if unspectacular TT.
Unless you cannot drive the Apogee with your current amp you really should sort out the vinyl front end first.
 
I entirely agree with Rob - you need a much better front end.
 
RobHolt said:
You are looking in entirely the wrong direction.
You are feeding Apogees the signal from a £50 Grado cartridge on a decent if unspectacular TT.
Unless you cannot drive the Apogee with your current amp you really should sort out the vinyl front end first.
Click to expand...

I,m with Rob as well. When the front end is bettered you might consider a Parasound JC1, Rowland. If your into Tubes a CJ amp has a nice synergy as well.


rollo
 
Yup, fair enough guys. I was just thinking, that's all :)

TT is the top of the list of things to change: currently on the shortlist are Michell Gyro with the Unitrac or VPI Scout with its JMW arm....

Calipers are 2.5 to 4 ohm load, nominally 3ohm, so they are really an easy load to drive, provided the amp can deal with the low impedances. The KSA50 is doing fine with them....
 
I would say the Krell will do better. Keep it. It's a classic! Agree about the front end bits. Buy a good pre-amp as well of course!
 
Pre amp is an ARC SP8. So far it is doing the business! Treating the room with bass traps etc has made a massive improvement...
 

Latest posts

Back
Top