Infinity Kappa 9's

Mt, a few thoughts based on your followup comments,

1 - I can imagine the ST140 wouldn't last long at all with the 9's. It's a nice little amp (I have one), not in the class of power of the others discussed above.

2 - IMO, given your budget I would pass on the HCA1200s, and look for one good used HCA2200, or better yet an HCA2200-II, and even better still, an HCA3500. All of them will sound much, much better than the 1200, and I expect have an easy time with the 9's. Based on your listening preferences you'll like them better.

3 - I still like the B&K M200 Sonata's used - there are some advertised here now, and also on ebay. Probably not a match for the Parasound HCA3500, but better than the other Parasounds to my ear.

Finally, I'm not familiar with the Adcoms or many of the others recommended above - so my comments aren't to indicate they're not better options. I'm only offering my preferences.

Kappa 9s are incredible speakers and a bargain for what one might pay for them today.

The brightness issue that has been attributed to them comes with the fact that most people do not have dedicated lines, running the amps that are plugged into the Kappas.

The worst liability that this speaker has is in its demands of power and current.

I say go for something like the Krell someone had recommended or I have read somewhere of someone running them with the YBA PAssion Monos....400 watts, expensive, but sure can do a job with them.

The issue that I have with some people questioning the Kappa 9 sound is that at today's used prices, most people who purchase them would think of pairing them up with amps that might be used "price-wise" compatible.

I spoke to Ric Shultz at EVS and even his newest amps, which are supposedly stable at "no-load" might have issues with the Kappa 9s.

The nearest relatives to the Kappa 9s are the Genesis speakers that were designed by Andy Nuddel after he left Infinity, with the final masterpieces of Infinity being the original Kappa line. See what the Genesis go for today...and you will see that the Kappas are a bargain with a big(amplifier intolerance) compromise.

I have a set of Kappa 9a's which have resolved the amp eating issue. The a stands for a filter for the very low frequency that sets the stage for the low impedence amp killing problem. I have used the switch when running from my Yamaha unit but omit switch use when driving with Adcom monoblocks. If you are lookin for Kappa 9's you might as well inquire about the 9a's. They were the last year model before being discontinued. A great speaker.

Cool, other brethren who are running 9's ! For what it's worth...and I know that many will strongly be put off by the suggestion...I've been running a totally restored pair of 9's now for some time using a class D integrated amplifier from PS Audio (GCC-250/500). Sure, I'll catch grief from both the tube AND the solid state camp but...I'm sayin that as a (now) almost 46 year old longtime listener that the combination is pretty tough to beat for under 50K. Shocking? OK, well, maybe I'm crazy and I don't claim to have seen or heard it all; but the gain cell system can crank these things so loud that you'll break the neighbor's windows for hours on end without even getting warm. AND, it's INCREDIBLY clear, accurate, and fast without a hint of colour (as far as I'm concerned). Soft passages are spot on...highs with the 9's are unmatched in my experience. Just a thought, glad I've stumbled across the site. Would LOVE to hear other's thoughts/experiences as well. As to the speakers...GET A PAIR if you're able in any way. You WILL NOT be disappointed :-)

The Kappa 9's brightness issue comes when you do not use a tube pre or a solid state at the mids and highs.
You might try an Audio Research SP11 or Threshold FET 10e/11g
then the brightness issue is gone!