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Coincident Dragon Amplifier

I'm starting to think about a power amp upgrade I'll probably want to do within a few months, and I'd appreciate experienced-based comments on the Coincident Dragon monoblocks.

I would be using them with my Daedalus Ulysses speakers. Even though the Ulysses are 97db/1W/1m efficient, I want amplifier power that approaches the Dragon's 75W rating because I listen to a lot of classical symphonic music having wide dynamic range. The Dragon, with its push-pull 211's, therefore strikes me as an amp that would hopefully provide a nice balance between directly-heated triode sonics and relatively high power.

Its $9K price tag, btw, is at the extreme upper limit of what I would want to spend.

Thanks in advance,
-- Al
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Showing 1 response by raquel

raquel
841 posts
 
I'm biased because I've owned VAC Renaissance amps for over ten years, but the VAC Renaissance 70/70 (either Mk. III or Signature). It's 65 watts/channel, with very stiff power supplies and excellent output trannies, making it sound a lot more powerful (it can drive 2 Ohm loads). Totally dual-mono with two power cords and two on/off switches and weighing 135 lbs., it's a zero-feedback, Class A-biased push/pull design that uses eight DHT 300B's. It autobiases and has a "sentry" amp protection circuit that shuts down any output tube that goes out of spec. Fully point-to-point wired and featuring very high parts and build quality, the Signature retailed for $18k and Mk. III $14k ten years ago, but they can now be had for less than $5k. The only negative is the hotrod circuit, which requires carefully vetted 300B's.

PS - I run Coincident speakers.
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