PS Audio BHK 300 mono VS Modwright KWA 150SE mono VS D'agostino Classic stereo

I have never seen such excellent feedback/advice from so many on any one thread. thieliste, I think that your audition of the Ypsilon will tell you a lot.

I am totally delighted with a Classe' Audio DR-9 (100W/ch@8 ohms rated high current SS amp that doubles down to 2 ohms) with my "older" Thiel CS5is using a MW5400ES tubed player for the front end. The lower-rated-power DR-9 simply does more things right than my Krell FPB-600c at all but insane volume. May be the same with the Ypsilon vs the D'agostino or Krell in your system, dunno. Only your ears will know for sure.

Recent experience has taught me that tubes somewhere in the chain are magical with the Thiels. Makes them relax just the right amount to bring out the musicality vs analytical over-achievement without.  

As always, the synergy of the equipment chain makes the difference.
emailists' advice to leave a good amount of your budget for cables, cords, and a top power conditioner is prudent, IME.

Best to you thieliste,
Dave

Friends Charles and unsound,

I am missing the point of contention here. Sorry. I use and prefer a SS high-current amplifier than doubles down with the 5is (unsound) yet find that considerations outside the realm of measured/measurable specs are ultimately determinant of the level of my listening satisfaction (Charles). Are these things mutually exclusive or even remotely at odds with each other?

I mean absolutely no disrespect to either of you as I hope you know.

Best to you both as always,
Dave  

"dlcockrum i’m surprised you’re able to drive the most difficult Thiel ever with only 100 watts even if it’s doubling."

Quote from ’Blazing Saddles’: "It’s twue! It’s twue!" lol

Over 25 years with several different amplifiers driving the 5i’s (including one of the highest-wattage monsters of all time), I find that it is much more about current delivery and superior amplifier design (minimizing anomalies at the frequency extremes, the ability to reproduce correct timbre and deliver micro and macro dynamics optimally) than rated power (to a limit).

Enjoy this golden time in your audio journey, thieliste.

Dave

teeshot: "I completely agree that tubes should be in any system in which 3.7s are the loudspeaker. I got great results with a tube preamp mated to a high current solid state amp. With good source material such a setup performs at a level with systems costing more IMHO. With poor source material though 3.7s are an unforgiving mistress."

Exactly. Perhaps even more so with the 7.2s due to that 6k peak. Same goes for amps with a hot treble region or a lean overall balance.

Best to you teeshot,
Dave

Hi audiolabyrinth,

What cabling do your recommend? ;>)

Dave

I was being a smarty pants ;)

Hi thieliste,

I started by hi-end journey with a DR-10 driving Apogee Stages. That amp was so flat and lifeless than I took it back to the dealer and paid the 2X+ difference to get the DR-25. Night and day difference in those two. Still have the DR-25 and have used it for long periods to drive my 5i’s. Solidly built, musical, with plenty of current and as reliable as they come. The darker sound as compared to my DR-9 and Krell would likely work well to minimize the audible effect of the 6k peak of the 7.2s IMO.

The Ten, Fifteen, and TwentyFive were the next models following Dave Reich’s departure from Classe’. Glen Grue made some modifications to the input stage of Dave’s "DR" designs and they are generally said to be more lively, open, and dynamic sounding than the DR-10/15/25.

http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/1194classe/index.html#GCmxCxR9G3VUHeez.97

The Fifteen was considered the sweet spot of the line and would work very well for you as a temporary solution (if not more). Can’t say about the Ten. Sorry.

BTW- should you decide to buy one, use the SE (RCA) inputs as the XLR inputs use an opamp in the circuit that kills the sound. Apparently, Reich was forced to add it on by Grue after the fact and it shows.

Best to you thieliste,
Dave

Hi Charles,

My DR-10 sample (NIB) could have been defective. I had heard the Stages at the dealer with the DR-25 (that I ended up with) and the sonic differences were profound with the Stages in my room at the time.

Never regretted trading up to the DR-25 as it is a benchmark of amplifier performance with difficult-to-drive loads IME.

Best to you Charles,
Dave

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then. ;>)

Hi thieliste,

It is too bad that you are so far away. I could fix you up with my old DR-6 pre and the DR-25 until you get settled. A great combo.

I would think that the CAP-151 would pretty good as a preamp via the pre out. No experience with Musical Fidelity.

Best to you thieliste,
Dave

Must be your lucky day thieliste. As you know, my favorite amp driving my 5i's:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Classe-DR-9-High-Current-Power-Amplifier-/201772137940?hash=item2efa8e7dd4

Best to you thieliste,
Dave

"...i looked on Hifi shark but didn’t find any Fifteen or Twenty five for sale.
I will look back from time to time and who know one might pop out 1 day."

They do pop up from time to time and are priced to offer a phenomenal value ($1k -$1500).

I will keep an eye out as well and let you know if I find anything.

Best to you thieliste,
Dave

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state/256346-classe-dr-9-big-bang-theory-2.html

Kinda looks like a window air-conditioning unit. lol ;>)

Seriously, what makes these amps so appealing to you, thieliste?

Dave