2. tech-talk
  3. 970937128

Krell - Martin Logan power question.

Got a system: Krell kav-500 five channel Lexicon dc-1 4 martin logan clsIIz 1 martin logos 1 velodyne hgs18 1 velodyne fsr-15 neutral reference speaker cables audioquest interconnects Would upgrading to the Krell kav-1500 amp help with soundstage or sound? I am at 200watts per channel into 4 ohms and the new amp would bring me to 600 watts per channel. Please give me an idea how this would modify my overall “sound”. The room is about 20’ by 60’ by 9’ high. The front speakers face the 60’ length. The front speakers are 12’ apart from each other. The rears are 12’ apart from each other. From front to back, the front speakers are 18’ from the rear speakers. So the speakers’ sweet spot occupy the area like a 20’ by 20’ room. I want to use the system for both HT & music. However, I often play my HT at low volume, which helps explain why I use the electrostatics. Please help with this. I don’t want to invest in more power unless I hear from others, but my friends suggested I do so.
yada
hotrod
60 posts
 
try a sunfire signature amp both plenty of power and current . have complete ml system of statements monoliths and theater ref , works wonderfully , killed ml336, trying fpb600c and wotan1250 right now, have questions , email me mike.
myoussif
81 posts
 
Vettered38, I wanted to ask you about your experince with this. I have the ML (ReQuest) driven by Bryston 7Bs Mono Blocks, however, I have the upgrading bug these days and was considering Mark L 335 (SS), Krell 200c (SS), or SFI Power 3 tube amps. It seam from everyone's response that the Electrostats like tubes. We don't have dealers here so I can try different amp (I Live overseas). So I have to go with some recommendations.
hotrod
60 posts
 
myoussif, I would try a sunfire signature amp on the requests first, youll be very pleased with the sound. this amp way bettered a levinson 336, this was with my front end of levinson39cd 360s da and380s pre, Iam trying out a krell600c right now , sounds detailed and powerful which it should for the money , sunfire is at least90 percent of this, dimenishing return for the money but always looking for thatlittle bit more, vtl amp comes in next month let you know how sounds, email me at vettered38@aol.com
jim
418 posts
 
I agree with Spot. Tubes are really the only way to go to get the most out of CLS's. I am currently using a McCormack DNA1 Deluxe which reacts well to impedance dips (actually doesn't react much at all which is good) and is "rolled off" as solid state amps go -- but this does not get me all the way there. Not even close. The Mesa is an interesting proposition asw it is A LOT OF AMP for the money. Mesa is no longer palying in the hi-fi market but I wouldn't worry since they are still in the guitar amp business (they Boogie!). So good deals can be ahd. These are very user friendly and a good real world choice. They are not at the level of Audion Research or Sonic Frontiers but they sound damn, damn good. Especially for the scratch. Now... ARC is coming our with a MkIII version of the VT100 so prices on MkII's will drop. The MkII is a good choice and one that I'm considering. But... you can get a used VT200 for just a little more than a new VT100MkIII (the new one). So drive your self crazy with choices. I've also heard good things about the higher power Rogues with CLS's. Lastly, there's the InnerSound ss amp designed specifically for esl's. Haven't heard it myself but reputable sources say its very, very good with Logans. Really lastly... beware of advice from people driving hybrids (no mater what the size). These are different animals. The real problems aren't with the high frequency dips, it's the low frequency dips that are a mo-fo. Remember, power doubles with the halving of loads. Guess what happens on the other end? Power halves as impedence doubles. The hybrids don't face this -- pure esl's do. It's apples and oranges. For real els's good (and I do mean GOOD) tubes are the only, only, only way to get all the way there. Good luck. Jim.
More to discover