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Amp for VA Beethoven

Currently my system consists of a Sunfire Cinema Grand, Anthem AVM-20, Vienna Acoustics Beethoven (Bach surround, Maestro center), REL Storm III etc.

I'm moving to a bigger place and figured I'd take a shot at a 7.1 setup (I have an extra set of Bachs) so I'll need another two channels of amplification for the Beethovens. Despite the 7.1 setup, 99.9% of the listening is stereo. I really enjoy these speakers and have no plans to replace them any time soon. A pre will be added eventually, but I'm in no rush for that either. The Beethovens are a very musical warm speaker, but I don't want them any warmer. For that reason, I'm looking for an amp that is not at all warm or laid back. Budget isn't my greatest concern, but I'm not looking to spend 50% the cost of this whole system either--something in the realm of the surrounding components would be nice. But most importantly, something that will provide a clear improvement over the Sunfire in the current setup and be worthwhile hanging on to when I add a preamp down the road. Thanks for the help.
ultraviolet
14 responses Add your response
ultraviolet OP
105 posts
 
Thank you very much. I will look for a good deal on a 4b-sst. I've tried searching on the forums, but can't find a good explanation of the different 4b models. I've come across the 4b-st, 4b-sst and the 4b-sst c. If anyone has any links that might explain this, or would like to offer a quick explanation, I'd really appreciate it.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Yes, I still think the Bryston sounds like what you are after sonically. Also, especially if you are buying used, I believe Bryston still has their 20 year transferrable warranty program......very handy indeed.

Cheers,
John
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I think that Bryston is very consistant with what you've spent on the rest of the system. With luck you'll find lightly used in For Sale.

I bought my Conrad Johnson lightly used at just over half retail. At the time I was buying I saw a Rowland Concerto or two and another C-J closely priced. I think it'd be realistic to look for a one or two year old Bryston and money left over in the budget.

Dave
ultraviolet OP
105 posts
 
Well the KSA-250 Jmcgrogan2 mentioned has a lot of power. He also made a great point about hidden costs though with an amp that old. I've never heard any of the other amps suggested. A few years ago I heard a pair of Beethovens with Krell monos (no idea which ones) and they sounded truly amazing. That's why I brought up the older Krells. From a reliability standpoint, I'd love to have newer stuff, but it seems foolish to spend that much given the surrounding components. I appreciate the suggestions though. I am going to be buying used so I won't audition anything first. I'm just collectiong opinions based on other's experience.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I think the Beethovens work best with around 300+ watts and a high damping factor. Do those old class A Krells have that? I thought that they were like 25 to 60 watts.

The Rowland amps really grab hold of the VA speakers and sound fantastic. One more to consider. Also, I'm totally please with my Conrad Johnson CA200 driving my Beethoven Baby Grands.

Dave
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
02-03-08: Dcstep
The newer Krells have a different sound (better) than the old Krells, IMHO.

Dave, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I would disagree. I do agree the newer Krells sound different, but IMHO not better. So I guess I'd recommend that Ultraviolet listen for themselves. I still think the golden age for SS was the Threshold/Krell/Levinson's of the late 80's and early 90's, when they ran in pure class A bias. As they started getting funkier with the bias, in an effort for more power, the sound went downhill. Again, that's just my $0.02.

Cheers,
John
musiqlovr
54 posts
 
I have a set of the grands in a system with Ayre CD and Ayre Preamp to an Electrocompaniet Amp. Sound is wonderful. I also powered with an Ayre V3. I would recommend the Ayre V3 or an Electrocompaniet.

Steve
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
The newer Krells have a different sound (better) than the old Krells, IMHO. If I were getting a Krell, then it'd be a relatively new one. I've always preferred the Brystons, between those two however.

Dave
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
An older Krell, like a KSA-250 would sound great. However, you have to be a bit careful when buying these used, as they are getting to the stage where they will need their caps replaced soon, if they haven't been replaced already. This will probably set you back $1000-$1500. If you can find one that has had it's caps replaced within the last few years, jump on it.

Cheers,
John
ultraviolet OP
105 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered any of those items. Any thoughts as to how the older Krell's would compare in this situation?
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Yeah, I'll vote for the Bryston also in that application. Before I bought my Conrad Johnson CA200 I used a lower power Bryston with my Beethoven Baby Grands. It was very good. I prefer the C-J, but it's much newer technology and 3-times the watts. The 4B should have plenty of juice for your Grands.

Dave
sc53
720 posts
 
Find an Ayre V-3, they go used for $1100 or so--sounds fantastic with Beethovens, I owned the combo for couple of years.
desmondjim
67 posts
 
The Brystons work very well with Vienna Acoustic speakers. I had very nice results with a McComack DNA-125 with my Beethovens as well. I think the DNA-225 would be even better. I am currently using a VTL ST-150 and I like the sound but from your post I don't think that would be the direction you would want to go.

Cheers,
Jim
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
It sounds like a Bryston 4B-SST might be what you are looking for.

Cheers,
John
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