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Krell vs Levinson vs Pass vs Rowland

I know there have been many threads about these amps, however none which addresses these 4 together. I would like to spend between $3-3,500 used and I have narrowed my search to the final 4:

Levinson 334
Krell FPB 200
Rowland Model 10 ???
Pass X250

Which amp has the greatest transparency, best imaging, and will throw the deepest, widest soundstage? I know all will have sufficient bass and satisfying highs, so I am not concerned with those attributes.

I know there will be other suggestions besides these 4 amps mentioned here, but I am really concerned with narrowing these 4 down to 1 first!! Please do not respond with suggestions for other amps. Thanks for any help with this!!
platsolos
kirk930's avatar
kirk930
285 posts
 
if i could not run tubes i would use rowland.
jmeyers's avatar
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jmeyers
126 posts
 
Obviously, your ultimate decision has to factor in the speakers this amp will be driving and the cables employed between amp and speakers. I have had the opportunity to compare both driving B&W Nautilus 802s, and it was no contest--the Mark Levinson sounded very closed down and lifeless, whereas the Krell 200C was a perfect match.

I now own the 200C, and I use it to drive Dunlavy SC-IVs with Transparent Audio MusicWave Plus cables. Generally, I am pleased with this combination, but not so much so that I am not replacing the Dunlavy's with Revel Studios next week---and I am NOT replacing my Krell.
gregm
3,396 posts
 
J meyers has a point regarding, which speakers? With large dynamics and considering I mainly listen to classical & blues/jazz, I would narrow the list to Pass or Rowland. I expect detail from Pass and musicality from Rowland -- then, I'd gauge which of the two gives me the best of my quest for audio nirvana.
Good luck!
ljgj
955 posts
 
I agree about narrowing things to the Pass and Rowland. If you can audition both that would be great but either would be musical with a better natural sound than the Krell and Levinson. I would personally go with the Rowland - it would probably hold its value over the Pass in the long run and sounds a bit more like a live presentation would.
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