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

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...