2. amps-preamps
  3. 1349583500

Recommendations for good Class A SS Amp 100-200W

I had been very impress by my friends set up where he bi-amps his celestion SL6000 speaker with a pair of Krells - KSA100 & KSA250. Both are class A and I haven't heard bass slam like his set up since.

I now have gotten hold of a pair of Celestion SL6000 but I haven't been able to reproduce the bass slam and solidity I remember in my friends set up. I'm driving mine with Ampzilla 2000 MK2 and Mccormick DNA 500. Both have 2-3x the power ratings of the Krell.

I'm suspecting it may be due to the Krell's Class A bias. So looking to find a pair of amps that may better suit the Celestion 6000's. I have a pair of VTL 450MB which I intend to switch in soon, but haven't gotten around to it yet. That may do the trick for me as well, but need to find out.

I know I can find Krell's like my what my friend has easy enough, but I know Plinius and others are making SS class A maps still. So wondering if anyone has experience with the more modern Class A SS amps and if anyone can comment on how these compare with the old Krells.

Gerald
geraldedison

Showing 3 responses by lloydelee21

lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Geraldedison,

Go to hificritic.com Read the review from 1994 or so some Martin Colloms on the SL6000 setup...he uses one of the big Krells...possibly even the 250.

The Krells really are a tremendous bass muscle amp. I am sorry i cannot say that i've heard yours which no doubt are good...its just that the SL6000 does seem to be difficult to drive well and to 'full capacity'.

You might also find that room setup makes a difference. ARe you looking for more presence of bass...or more taut, gut-punch? the latter is often helped by the amp having limitless reserves.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Gerald,

In my experience, its not the watts that matter for what you seek. Not necessarily the Class A topology either. The Krell is known for bass wallop and is a very high current design. High current (and high capacitance maybe?) usually make a big difference...i suspect in addition to bass volume, the Krell is tight-fisted as well...which means the bass has both impact and snap...the VTL should have volume and impact...as much snap i cannot say.

Get a Krell if that is what you seek...other Class A amps include Pass Labs, Gryphon, Vitus...all of which throw serious bass. I know and own Gryphon. Again i am not convinced its just about the Class A design. For just the bass element, you can also use big Brystons, or possibly Classe, Rowland.

BTW, i think Celestions are great...my first speaker was the SL6si...and i always wanted to hear the mighty SL6000 system...congrats. A seriously great system by all accounts. Enjoy.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Yes...its a heavy beast...but if it works...you'll get some very theraputic bass waves!!!
More to discover