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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 7 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Abill,
My system is similar except I have the Total EclipseII speakers(possibly an easier load?) in a 14x 25x8 room that open into a 16x 25 space. I have no volume or sound pressure issues. However I do use the Coincident linestage which is a very powerful sounding with wonderful dynamic scale and gravitas. This linestage combined with the Frankenstein is superb! i most often listen to jazz,small combo and big band, both sound great. When I do occasionally play larger scale classical it handles it well, no congestion and maintains a sense of ease at 90-95db levels.

If large scale classical is your main music fare, then a bigger amp would likely fit your needs. The linestage will also make a significant difference. There are some trade offs,there are amplifiers with more power but may be hard pressed to equal what the Frankenstein does so well.
Best of Luck,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Abill,
Another point, the initial production CSL had 20db of gain and this was far too much for my system. the current CSL has 10db of gain which is just right for me. If you`re interested give Israel a call for his suggestion concerning gain choices.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Maril555 makes some good points, and once again proves nothing will satisfy everyone all the time. That Frankenstein-Pure Reference combo did`nt suit him( HEY IT HAPPENS) yet gon member montrjay has had that same pairing for several years and is ecstatic with all music genres to my understanding, yep,just the way it goes.

Maril555 is right, there`s a difference between playing loud and having dynamic contrasts, I get both with my system.

Abill if you live near Michigan I`d bring my CSL to you to audition. It that solves your problem, great. If that does`nt improve the matter, well you may just need a larger amp.
Best Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Maril555,
We really don`t disagree, my bottom line is how does it sound to you in your system. The only point I`m making is other have found that combination ideal,in your case it certainly wasn`t,understandable. I use the Coincident TE speakers and don`t have the short comings you`ve expressed. Like you I attend live performances and can appreciate real dynamic weight and contrast. For what ever reason I`m able to reproduce this characteristic at home to my satisfaction .Obviously YMMV applies. Fortunately I`m not limited to 65db levels.

I do acknowledge the laws of physic and a good quality higher power amp might be the answer for Abill. I will say again I`d like him to at lease hear the CSL with his amplifier before he searches for another amp.

Abill the only other preamps I`ve heard with my system was a Quicksilver modified with Vcap and Sonicap-platinum capacitors, and a Audio Research REF 2.The improvement in weight,impact,dynamics and sheer presence was profound.

Regarding dual volume controls they`re fine and precise, no hassles. The CSL does lack a remote and it`s quite heavy and 2 chassis. The power supply is massive and the weight is due to big transformers and chokes, also big power supply capacitors.
Again Best of Luck.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Abill,
Great news! I happy you were able to solve your problem so easily(and cheaply). I accept the fact that systems and individual taste can vary, but I found it hard to believe the lack of dynamics were due to your Frankenstein amplifier. Our speakers are similar in efficiency and load demand and dynamics(micro and macro) are one of the strenghts of this amplifier/speaker combination,among many other attributes.

I wish tou many years of blissful listening with your system.
Best Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I think Abill realizes the true gem he has in the Frankenstein MKII amplifier. Jimmy I agree with your opinion of the Statement linestage and hope Abill gets an opprotunity to hear it with his Franks one day.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Abill,
I still own an excellent 100watt(60 watt triode) push-pull amplifier. If I only listened to large scale classical at"very" loud levels(95db and higher)or heavy bass content electronica,rap,hip-hop etc. at quite loud volume,the PP amp would be more ideal.

With those two exceptions, "all" other music at reasonable listening levels i.e. 70-90db, I`d prefer the Frankenstein MKII without question. In all other parameters it`s the superior sounding amplifier.

Audiogon member Jianming pang has experience with both the Frankenstein and DragonMKII. He is completely satisfied with the new Dragons.
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