2. amps-preamps
  3. 1261017691

Pure Class A shootout

Hi after doing a lot of research and listening, I think pure class A is still the way to go for me. I'm wondering if you have any opinions on the following amps and how they compare with each other:

1) Gryphon Colliseum (mono or stereo)
2) Gryphon Antileon Signature (mono or stereo)
3) Pass XA 160.5 or XA 200.5
4) Krell Evo 2

They will be powering Rockport Altair's or maybe Rockport Arrakis (still debating that one too).

I see a few dilemmas. For Krell, it seems like the spirit behind their products Dan D'Agostino is no longer with the firm and thus maybe their brand/lineup in the future may be compromised. Also, Krell's preamp reputation is not as good as their amplification. That's similar to Pass as well - great reputation on the amps but not as reputable on the pre-amps. Don't get offended as I'm only talking relative terms (i.e comparing products at very very lofty levels). For Gryphon, their amp and preamps are supposedly top notch, but right now the Euro is extremely strong vs the US$ and I'm thinking I should be picking up something American as it's more of a bargain. Gryphon + Rockport is a "formula" and I know I can't go wrong with it but I'm wondering if there are other options.

So I guess the question is:
1) Have anyone ever compared the best Pure Class A amps? How do they compare with one another? Yes I know they are all good at this level but unfortunately I have only listened to the Gryphons mated with Rockports.
2) Any other options that I should consider? No tubes please as I have no desire to mess with tubes.
3) Should I even compare/consider the older pure class A amps like the ML 33/33H? i.e are the new pure Class A leaps and bounds better than the older reference lines?

Thanks, -Isaac
changster

Showing 7 responses by changster

changster OP
40 posts
 
Hah sorry I meant the evo1.

I definitely like the pass xa.5 series too, but I'm not sure about their preamps, and also if they mate well with Rockports. Pass's Xa.5 series definitely seems like a bargain compared with the rest. Paired with Rockports, I've only listened to the Gryphons (mirage, colloseum, sonata allegro, antileon signature all mixed and matched). Gryphons mated with Rockports is almost a no brainer as it's almost like an established formula.

changster OP
40 posts
 
Thank you all for your kind responses.

Clayton Audio - I looked into it but I'm not sure if I'm ready to dive into a brand like this. I've seen the good reviews and I'm sure they're a quality product/company but it doesn't seem like their prices are much lower.

Rtn1 - I don't see the Pass in your listed system. Are you still running the BAT preamp and now using the XA200.5 with it?

Peterayer - Yes I'll try and demo the Pass preamp/amp but it will be hard to do so mated with Rockports, and almost impossible to do A/B testing vs Gryphon, Krell, etc. And I agree they are much less expensive than the others. That's one reason I'm looking at it as a good value (can't believe I can even say this since the XA200.5 is damn expensive still). Have you played around with other preamps with your XA.5 amp?

Argryo - I've seen you tout the Tidal Sunrays in many threads. Have you ever compared them with Rockports, Magicos, etc? Do you still find the Tidals the most lifelike (live) of them all? I love the Rockports because of how "live" and lifelike they sound to me, i.e very similar to the small jazz pubs I frequent, and even the loud rock concerts I go to.

Lamm - thanks & yes I'm taking a serious look at that as well. So many audiophiles swear by them. It's unfortunate they don't have a dealer/distributor where I live (Taipei).

Thanks again for all the responses.
changster OP
40 posts
 
Koegz - agree Rockports are fantastic. I've looked at your system serveral times on here and must say you have a very nice setup. Did you listen to the Arrakis before you purchased the Altair? Did you think it was a huge difference? I have yet to hear the Altairs. I went straight from Aquilas (brilliant) to Arrakis (unbelievable) as they didn't have Altairs in stocks. Same room, same equipment/cables, same everything else, the Arrakis had the same characteristic as the Aquila but just more of everything. Bigger soundstage left right up down forward backward, more air, bigger dynamics and slightly more resolute. I can imagine the Altair's being 95% of the Arrakis if the Aquila was 85%.
changster OP
40 posts
 
Back to the original topic..

I don't think anyway has compared the best pure class A from the Pass pre/post amp vs the top Gryphon pre/post vs the top Krell pre/post. I'm sure all are great. I guess I will just have to coerce these dealers to bring it to my house and test it A/B/C.

Would be also awesome to compare these with the old best pure class A (or at least very high bias) i.e Krell FPCs, ML 33/33H. I don't think anyone has the luck/resources to do it though.

If I find anything out I'll post it here.

Cheers.
changster OP
40 posts
 
Kurt_Tank - wow that's an interesting read. Hope it works out for their founder. There's always two sides to a story so we'll see what happens.
changster OP
40 posts
 
Classicjazz -

Yeah I've also read the same comments on the Gryphon older amps, but I heard their newer stuff (even inluding Antileon Signature amps) is a different breed. I listened to the Mirage/Colosseum mated with Rockports and it was fantastic. The Colosseum was everything the Antileon Signature was, except the soundstage grew bigger, taller, and deeper (forward/backward). Maybe just slightly fuller too in size of the image. All in all, very very close.

Good feedback on the Lamms. There are no dealers where I live unfortunately.
changster OP
40 posts
 
Ozy - thanks for the constructive comments. I've listened to the Mirage/Colosseums and I thought they were fantastic as well. I just haven't done A/B comparisons with them which I hope to do.

Compared with your old Krell 700's how would you describe the differences? I'm curious to hear the differences with "old" class A vs new class A.
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