ATC SIA 2-150

Very powerful with a true effortless sound. Unlike other big amps, it does subtlety and delicacy, even at low volumes. Wish I had bought one of those instead of that bag of shite MF Trivista 300.

I had the big preamp and power amp twenty years ago when the 100A's had to go. Very good, hand made, very heavy power amp and sweet toned preamp, but the music didn't really project out (maybe it was the rest of the gear and my tastes after such wonderful actives). The integrateds were based on these and were well liked I remember.

My power amp disgraced itself though. I'd been using it with Keilidhs (yes really) and WB Act Ones and noticed when turning on, the cones came forwards a mm or so. Didn't think about it and when the Act Ones went (thank gawd, they sounded awful despite great looks), I ended up with the smaller ATC 20ASL Pro monitors and the power amp went back in it's small wooden crate for storage for a year or so. After we moved here I took the amp to 'Signals' where Alastair happily sold it for me. Bloody thing didn't work as the DC protection kicked in. Just out of its six year warranty too, so it cost me shedloads to get re-set up and shipped both ways (too far to drive to the ATC factory which I'd have preferred to do).

So Shane, sorry to not properly answer your question. These things are built like out-houses as are all ATC products and should make great used buys in a different tier to typical domestic stuff. How they compare to Krell integrated amps I don't know, but the cosmetics won't be cheap at all! I think you should try the Krell 400xi if you can find one if you want a cheapish taste of high end into typical domestic speakers...

www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/205krell/index.html

Not sure dealers do this today or even if ATC would entertain it, but I loved taking people down to the factory, where they could see the stuff being made (speakers and electronics) and also hear the gear as well. I got many sales from doing this, so not a waste of time or money...