Assistance with Coincident set-up


I have Coincident Total Victory IV speakers with Frankenstein II 300b amps and a Supratek Cortese Preamp. The components sound very good but when I listen to classical music I would like to have a little more push when the music goes from a soft passage to something loud.
I don’t want to lose any low level detail , that the Frankenstein amp is known for, or as little as possible.
I have $4000-$5000 to spend on new or used.I can’t afford the Dragon II amps they are 10K, and that is out of the question but if I had the money that is what I would get.
My question is will a more powerful amp help or if I changed the preamp would that give the classical music a little more up front push? I want a remote control and phono with the preamp.The Coincident speakers and amps sound very good, My system never sounded so good , I hate to mess with it but if I can make the classical music a little more dynamic I’ll be all set .
I’ve only had two tube amps in the past one a 300b and the other a 45. Is there another tube other than the 300b someone can recommend ?
I’ll keep the Frankenstein until I can find and amp that has the low level detail of the Frank with more power.I may keep the Frankenstein forever it is that good !

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, my listening room is 12 feet wide and 17 feet long with 7.5 feet ceilings.

Abill
abill

Showing 6 responses by abill

I agree with Onemuk , as I would think long and hard befor I let the Franks. I don't think I will ever let them go.

It may be my preamp, I was considering the Coincident but I need rca connections for my tuner, cdplayer and I also listen to vinyl.
I also like a remote control. I never used a preamp with dual volume controls. When I change the volume I guess I need to change them both ? It seems like a hassle, change both channels volume and keeping the balance between the channels correct ??

Most of my listening is 50% vinly, 25% cd's and 25% tuner ( TU-X1 ).

Thank you everyone for the excellent comments.
I may call Israel and dicsuss this.
Maril555,
I notice you have a Supratek Preamp,I assume the preamp is not a problem for your dynamics ?
What would you recommend for an amp with more power ?
Do you like the Linear A ?
I always wondered how that amp would sound with my system.

Thanks,
Charles1dad,
Your offer is too kind, I live in New England, 60 miles north of Boston Ma., but thank you.
Did you use any other premaps with your Coincident speakers before getting your CSL ?
Is it a hassle having a manual dual volume control ?
I'm not an impulse buyer and I'll do a lot of research before changing anything in my system.
I have a feeling changing my preamp would improve things.
My Frank's aren't going anywheres,90% of the time I am very content with my system but when I listen to classical it seems a little too polite.

Well back to saving more money and enjoy my music !!

Thank You for the comments.
Abill
Here is an update of my situation with dynamics.

I was listening to my system last week when the rectifier tube flashed (in my Cortese pre)and made a hell of pop . Fortunately I was getting records ready to play and I turned off the power immediately, no damage. I replaced the GZ34 and also the pair of KT 66's. I couldn't believe the difference in sound, all the dynamics are there !So the lack of power were the tubes.
I'll have to email Supratek to mention in 3 years I have replaced the Sovtek GZ34 tube 3 times.I get about 1000-1500 hours on the GZ34 tube. I tried some Mullards,Amperex,Phillips but they don't sound as good , Mick did a hell of a job voicing the preamp with Electro Harmonic and Sovtek tubes , I've yet to try a different make of tubes that sound better.
All the comments I got saying the Frank's have enough power for the Total Victory's are correct !
It is a very special 300b amp !
If anyone has listened to the Frankenstein amp's and the new release of the Dragon's I would be very interested in hearing your comments about the differences, expecially the bass and low level detail.
I don't think I will ever sell my Frank's , they are my go to amp when I want to just listen to the music and relax.
But once in a while when I get a little roudy and play my classical music very loud I would like to be blown away with a little more power but the Frank's are without a doubt the best 300b amps I have owned.

Thanks again for all the helpful comments.
Thank You Jianming_pang for taking the time to post.Your info is very helpful.I'm not in any hurry to change anything.I like your suggestion to update to Coincidents new ShotGun Cables. Trying to save but it's almost impossible in this economy.I'm spending more time enjoying what I have and trying some diy anti vibration tweeks.The last two or three days I'm fine tuning the location of my speakers.Last night I thing I found the speaker sweet spot,it's amazing the change I got from moving my speakers an eight of an inch this way or that way.
I also ordered more vibrapods (#1 and #2's)and also fine tuned the weights with lighter vibrapods,making one change at a time.
For the last few months I changed my mind set to if it doesn't sound right it's not coincident products and it is paying off in spades !!
I am happy with my Coincident speakers, amps and cables.
My system imaging and dynamics are much improved since tweaking system and getting new preamp tubes.

I'll report back when I get the shotgun cables.

Thank you everyone I appreciate the comments.
Montejay , forgot to mention, thank you for the post on the Dragon II amps.
I don't think I can come up with the money for the Dragons but if I do come into some money I will get them.
Who knows I may win the lottery.

Regards,
Abill