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Amp for Dynaudio: Pass Aleph 3 is OK?

My system is Dynaudio Audience 60, Adcom GFP 750 , and NAD 214 power amp. Source is Cal Alpha and Delta combo.

NAD 214 has a power to drive Dynaudio(86dB, 4ohms), but it does not have dynamics and details.
I would like to replace my power to either Pass Labs Aleph 3 or old Krell (KSA 50).

I don't play music loud and listening room is also small, so I don't need a huge amps, but I want all the details and dynamics even at lower volume, and Aleph 3 has good reputation for its clarity. I am not sure if it can drive my Audience enough.

My budget is around $1500, but I can spend more if a couple of hundred dollars improve sound dramatically.

Maybe, I could go with an integrated amps. I tried Bryston B-60, and it was quite impressive for vocal and jazz, but the base was laid back...

Any advice is welcome!

My budget is around $1500, but I can spend more if a couple of hundred dollars improves sound dramatically.

Maybe, I could go with an integrated amps. I tried Bryston B-60, and it was quite impressive for vocal and jazz, but the base was laid back...

Any advice is welcome!
kyongjin

Showing 2 responses by kthomas

kthomas
911 posts
 
How much power does the Aleph 3 have? I would concur with Dynaudio's statement that you can never have too much power - the Dyn's love it! If you're willing to live with a class A amp (from a heat-generation perspective), the KSA-50S is probably an excellent choice, even at 50wpc. Another possibility would be a Krell KAV-250a - they're being discontinued and are therefore available used for $1600, give or take. Krell amplification with Dynaudio speakers is typically a great match (I have that amp and the Contour 3.0's). The 250 has (as you might guess) 250w/ch and doubles with each halving of impedence (so 500w/ch into 4 ohm speakers). While you can never have too much, you'll have plenty. I've never listened to the 60's, but when I upgraded from 100w/ch Krell to the 250, it was a very significant upgrade - everything was much cleaner and clearer even at very modest volumes. I don't know what the NAD delivers, but I'm not surprised the speakers sound a little lacking in the dynamics. You'll love the improvement whichever route you go. -Kirk
kthomas
911 posts
 
Just to be clear, I'm sure the Aleph 3 is a superb amp - I have heard nothing but positive remarks and reviews of Pass amps, and would love to try one in my system some day. I've never heard one under any circumstances, so I can't personally give it the thumbs up or down.

Also, absolutely if you're willing to live with the heat and the energy bills, go pure class A. I wouldn't try to dissuade anyone from going pure class A for performance - in fact, just the opposite. I believe the KSA50s is pure class A - the KAV-250a is absolutely NOT, and I didn't mean to imply that it was.

Kyongjin - the KAV250 and the 300i are VERY different beasts. The 300i has 150w/ch (the new iL has 200) and the KAV250 has 250w/ch. But, much more than the raw power, the KAV250 is at least a whole notch up in performance, retailing for more than the 300i did (does) as just an amp. Moreover, the reviews of the 300i, both professional and consumer, have recounted spotty performance, whereas the reviews of the KAV250 have been largely overwhelmingly positive. One of the Robert's for TAS (Hartley or Greene, I can never keep them straight), reviewed the 250 and gave it very high praise. It's currently in the perfect sweet spot of purchasing used - you can find show-room new condition used units (or dealer close-outs) that are only 1-2 years old, since Krell just announced new models, and it's available right at, or about, your budget price.

Although I have no problem recommending this as at least an option to think about (and encouraging you to not use your 300i experience as a reference), you may well prefer the sound of another amp, and I certainly wouldn't attempt to tell you you shouldn't. The KSA50s can certainly be had used for less than $1500 (probably closer to $1000). The Pass amps are very highly regarded and may be the best choice for your tastes. -Kirk

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