Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 4, 2021 20:51:33 GMT
had a couple of hours listen to this Topping now. I'm not sure if it's any different to the Soncoz or not. Which probably means it isn't. Or is maybe but only very slightly. But the top end still sounds a tiny bit soft, same as before. There's only one conclusion I come to and that is the Krell KSA50s is just better than all the other amps. But I sort of knew that already. I need to get another KSA50S or an amp that is very similar. Maybe I might find a Mark Levinson 334L in a skip. Or something. Hmm. Now looks to be a question of amps. Stating the obvious. I can't see another Krell landing on the cheap Mate. I watch for the usual suspects regularly. Maybe have to look at alternatives |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 4, 2021 20:54:08 GMT
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Post by macca on Mar 4, 2021 21:35:34 GMT
Tempted by that Accuphase, shame it's Japanese voltage. Not very excited by the rest of them though. The Aragon maybe worth a look.
Maybe I have one more big amplifier punt left in me. Going to have to think about it.
I need to sort out the DCB1 and find out why it has hum with some power amps and not others. Think I'll take it to the pro shop and get them to have a look at it.
Then I can try some combinations that I haven't been able to yet. The KSA50s was only amazing when it was partnered with that pre-amp. Otherwise it was just very good. The old synergy thing.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 4, 2021 21:54:36 GMT
Tempted by that Accuphase, shame it's Japanese voltage. Not very excited by the rest of them though. The Aragon maybe worth a look. Maybe I have one more big amplifier punt left in me. Going to have to think about it. I need to sort out the DCB1 and find out why it has hum with some power amps and not others. Think I'll take it to the pro shop and get them to have a look at it. Then I can try some combinations that I haven't been able to yet. The KSA50s was only amazing when it was partnered with that pre-amp. Otherwise it was just very good. The old synergy thing. . You are still welcome to have a bash with the Biscuit tin pre. |
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Post by macca on Mar 5, 2021 7:02:16 GMT
Oh yes I forgot about that. I'll PM you. Talk of some cables too?
Have to say that I have also tried solving the issue with various interconnects from my regrettably extensive collection, but I always come back to the Spotfires. They really do seem to offer something extra over the rest, although it borders on the realms of intangibility.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 5, 2021 8:04:58 GMT
Oh yes I forgot about that. I'll PM you. Talk of some cables too? Have to say that I have also tried solving the issue with various interconnects from my regrettably extensive collection, but I always come back to the Spotfires. They really do seem to offer something extra over the rest, although it borders on the realms of intangibility. Yeah, the Spotfire do seem to have a quality that make them a mainstay, but these new cables have been in for a few weeks now and I have been really pleased with them. Unfortunately, the opportunity to loan them is out the window at the minute as they are elsewhere, being evaluated by more ears. I'll send you the pre through, that's no problem. The Spotties are not gonna let you down. |
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Post by macca on Mar 5, 2021 8:45:24 GMT
Cheers, sent you a PM - will be really useful to have a known good pre-amp that I can use with all my power amps. Got to get to the bottom of this.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 5, 2021 9:00:59 GMT
Cheers, sent you a PM - will be really useful to have a known good pre-amp that I can use with all my power amps. Got to get to the bottom of this. Well I think it's a good preamp, but who knows what you'll think 🤣 (I know you mean technically GWO lol) Two are on their way to Australia, but those guys already have 686's. I already know it's awesome with the Neurochrome 286 & 686 so It will be interesting to read your thoughts on what happens when you drop various other amplifiers on the end of it. Feel free to share your findings here 🙂 |
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Post by macca on Mar 5, 2021 9:24:22 GMT
Will do.
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Post by macca on Mar 5, 2021 17:16:00 GMT
back to the Topping E30 now work is done for the day.
Have now decided it is marginally less soft. Although would not bet anything on being able to distinguish it from the Soncoz blind.
But I still don't think those HF transients resolve themselves properly. Still a tiny hint of splash. Now certain it is not the DACs that are at fault here.
There are two Krell KSA50S at large on the Continent and I am going after them!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 5, 2021 17:34:22 GMT
back to the Topping E30 now work is done for the day. Have now decided it is marginally less soft. Although would not bet anything on being able to distinguish it from the Soncoz blind. But I still don't think those HF transients resolve themselves properly. Still a tiny hint of splash. Now certain it is not the DACs that are at fault here. There are two Krell KSA50S at large on the Continent and I am going after them! I have sent the email we discussed earlier and i am awaiting developments. Stay strong Macca! Hopefully there is a way for all of the will. |
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Post by antonio on Mar 6, 2021 1:15:27 GMT
Some interesting amps Bigman's picked out for you Macca, those Vincent's look a lot of amp for the money, as for the Argon 4004, I can remember reading the 8008 was the one to go for although rarely for sale in the uk.
Good look in your continental search for another Krell.
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Post by antonio on Mar 6, 2021 1:41:56 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 6, 2021 6:14:40 GMT
Martin, in my view if you can get another 50S you should do so - and hope it doesn't go wrong in a similar fashion - the likelihood of another amp having the particular sound that you like now seems very remote to me. Personally I don't think it's accuracy that you are seeking for that "final 1%" but a specific sonic quirk of the 50S.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 6, 2021 8:47:21 GMT
Martin, in my view if you can get another 50S you should do so - and hope it doesn't go wrong in a similar fashion Yes. I totally agree with this. It's hard to replace something when you've had a piece you totally enjoyed it. That little Krell was excellent. |
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Post by jimbo on Mar 6, 2021 8:50:07 GMT
Martin, in my view if you can get another 50S you should do so - and hope it doesn't go wrong in a similar fashion - the likelihood of another amp having the particular sound that you like now seems very remote to me. Personally I don't think it's accuracy that you are seeking for that "final 1%" but a specific sonic quirk of the 50S. Words of wisdom there Jerry, I have found this to be the case in my quest for a power amp and it has taught me a lot. I think many of us may think we want accuracy but when we hear it it maybe not we like or want.
That final 1% sonic quirk can be a deal breaker but it is so important in providing the essential bits that light up our brains and give us that satisfaction from our music.
If its missing everything can fall apart and we can find ourselves restlessly looking for sonic Nirvana.  |
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Post by macca on Mar 6, 2021 8:52:13 GMT
Martin, in my view if you can get another 50S you should do so - and hope it doesn't go wrong in a similar fashion - the likelihood of another amp having the particular sound that you like now seems very remote to me. Personally I don't think it's accuracy that you are seeking for that "final 1%" but a specific sonic quirk of the 50S. Yes, could be true. But I don't have accuracy right now either. I'd settle for accuracy! |
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Post by macca on Mar 6, 2021 8:53:54 GMT
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Post by macca on Mar 6, 2021 9:00:23 GMT
watching old Top Of The Pops last night (from 1990). The TV system doesn't seem to suffer from the same issue.
But if I transfer those components into the main system, it's not the same. What's that all about?
3 days off work, going to have a major play around at some point and see if I can crack this.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 6, 2021 9:34:57 GMT
watching old Top Of The Pops last night (from 1990). The TV system doesn't seem to suffer from the same issue. But if I transfer those components into the main system, it's not the same. What's that all about? 3 days off work, going to have a major play around at some point and see if I can crack this. Same speakers? |
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Post by macca on Mar 6, 2021 10:05:48 GMT
No, TV system uses B&O 120.2  - but if I swap those speakers into the main system, same issue. As it is with other speakers I have, Audiovector XP3, JBL Control 1, Studiospares SN10. pretty confident that the speakers are not the issue. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 6, 2021 10:57:13 GMT
No, TV system uses B&O 120.2 - but if I swap those speakers into the main system, same issue. As it is with other speakers I have, Audiovector XP3, JBL Control 1, Studiospares SN10. pretty confident that the speakers are not the issue. Hmmm.... How odd. |
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 6, 2021 11:30:31 GMT
Room effects.
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Post by macca on Mar 6, 2021 13:21:21 GMT
Can't be the room as was never an issue with the KSA50S. Also EQ makes no difference. You can just hear the problem more clearly.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 6, 2021 13:33:10 GMT
Can't be the room as was never an issue with the KSA50S. Also EQ makes no difference. You can just hear the problem more clearly. You need a Krell. I think it's that simple. |
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 6, 2021 22:57:21 GMT
Not a Krell, the Krell.
Let's just hope there wasn't any item to item variation in the production of the same model.
.... Talk about a fussy bugger, though, I've enjoyed several dozens of wildly different amps in my time! Macca has to have THE ONE.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 6, 2021 23:31:26 GMT
Not a Krell, the Krell. Let's just hope there wasn't any item to item variation in the production of the same model. .... Talk about a fussy bugger, though, I've enjoyed several dozens of wildly different amps in my time! Macca has to have THE ONE. Yes that's what I meant lol. He has another Krell, my old KSA100 MK2 It's not got the same sound though |
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 7, 2021 5:19:23 GMT
No, there is no edge to those older Krells. I had a KSA50i, it was more of a smoothie, it erred on the boring laidback side. Not one of my successes.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 7, 2021 7:51:18 GMT
No, there is no edge to those older Krells. I had a KSA50i, it was more of a smoothie, it erred on the boring laidback side. Not one of my successes. The 100 was very enjoyable in a kind of "luxurious" way, but Maccas 50s was the first amp I heard that created a sound I was unaware I wanted. I see why he wants it back. |
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Post by macca on Mar 7, 2021 8:02:03 GMT
I think the 100 would come into its own with some sort of panel or electrostatic loudspeaker. But I'm not keen on that type of speaker.
For me there are 3 tiers of amp
Tier one - tat
Tier two - acceptable
Tier three -outstanding.
Almost all amps are tier two. Tier one is rare and mostly populated by valve amplifiers and some Jap solid-state tat from the 1970s. Tier three is rare too, I've only heard a handful of amps - maybe ten - I would put in tier three. Probably works out almost 50/50 valve/solid state. All of them either expensive or DIY creations.
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