If you can only choose one of these Amps


1.Muse 160
2.McCormack DNA125
3.McCormack DNA1 Delux
4.Classe CA200
5.Krell 300i/300il
Which one will you go for and why?

Which is/are the alternative worth waiting for from the used market?

Please give some advise. Thanks guys.
rainchild

Showing 2 responses by aball

I agree with Jbello but since you asked, I would pick the Classe CA200 because it has a wonderfully warm sound to it. the McCormack DNA125 is leaner, like the Krell (I had a KSA100 for a while) and I don't enjoy it as much as Classe. Jeff Rowland is very nice too but more expensive in general than your list (or less power). Same goes for the McIntosh MC202 - a very sweet and rich sounding amp. Depends what type of sound you like though. Some people like it leaner - listen to whatever you can in your own system and decide for yourself. Arthur
There is no clear spec for knowing how an amp handles a certain speaker. The relationship between power and current is Power = voltage * current, so it depends on the voltage which is where marketing comes in. How the power is measured is also dictated by marketing. All you can do is make a "rough" approximation of what an amp can do with the power rating. For your speaker specs, I would say look into 200W or more. How do you feel your ECI3 does - is it weak? Perhaps you don't need much power - depends on your preferred loudness level and room size too. Arthur