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Thiel 7.2 - Classe, Krell or Bryston?

I have had the 7.2's for 18 years with Classe CAM 350 amps. My pre right now is a Classe SSP-800 as it is a home theater / music system . My phono stage is a Manley Steelhead. Nordost cables.

I have always felt the Classe's were a bit anemic and have been looking for one last lifetime AMP upgrade.

I have been looking at used Krell FPB 600's and the Bryston 28b SST2. My budget is 8k or under. 

As I will not have the opportunity to audition and would hate to spend the money and not have a big improvement on the Classe's I would appreciate any opinions
kevinaudio

Showing 3 responses by dlcockrum

dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
I own the Krell FPB-600c and the Classe’ DR-9(s). Cannot speak to Bryston. The Krell drives my Thiels cleanly to mortifying volume levels and grabs the woofers sternly by the balls. The (old) Classe’ is more natural and involving, lacking in nothing to my ears with the Thiels. The DR-9 is my amp of choice between the two.

Dave
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Hi pops,

I bought my DR-25 new but had coveted the older DR-9 for years afterward with all of the positive press re: it being the sweet spot among all A/B amps of the time.

About 18 months ago, I saw three for sale @ $1000 each and scooped them all up. Haven’t seen another for sale since. The positive press of the day was true and a reminder that power specs don't rule in audio.

I could be accused of living in the past, but I don’t see anything significantly "new under the sun" re: SS A/B amplifier technology since.

Dave
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Hi Kevin,

Congrats on your new amp.

I have used a variety of speaker cables over the years with my Thiels and either Krell or Classe’ amplifiers. Maestro’s were good. The Crescendos were better. SR Tesla Precision Reference, even better. Replaced them recently with Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme, much better still (and inexpensive compared to SR). FWIW.

Dave
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