Any expereince with Coincident Frankenstein II Amp

Hi all,

I want to chime in because I'm currently looking for a power amplifier to drive Coincident Super Eclipse mk. 3 speakers. My pre is a Counterpoint SA-5.1. Both SE III and SV has a 92 db sensitivity and high impedance (14 ohm and 10 ohm respectively) so choices should be similar on paper.

So far, I have limited number of amps with Coincidents. Recently I've tried a friend's Cary CAD-572SE which is rated as ~20 w/channel, on my system and was not satisfied with lower frequencies. But I must say that it was a somewhat uncontrolled situation. The devices were here and there some on carpet some on an other one, some connected with stock cables etc. You get the point. I'll take the Cary's soon and make a more controlled try.

After that experience I become skeptical about the low powered monos. When I told this experience and request an advice, Blume told that the Dragons would be the best option. So my skeptical-ism even grows. But mine was a brief e-mail, and maybe Blume thought that I'm a power-hungry audiophile, so wanted to be on the safe side.

Soo, I'm still searching and currently my lowest powered option is a 24w/channel Manley Neo/Classic 300B.

Regards,

After my initial message I had an experience with Frankenstein and my whole point of view has changed.

Recently a friend of mine has bought Frankenstein amplifier and yesterday I had an opportunity to try it with my equipment. All I can say is this amplifier is INCREDIBLE. After what I read from internet, I was expecting a good sound but this is beyond my expectation. It easily drove my Super Eclipse's, sound dial of my pre was about 9 o'clock and it was a huge sound. Frankenstein and Counterpoint SA-5.1 synergy was excellent. For example all three person present at the audition did not like the Doge 8-Frankenstein combo.

Anyway, my search is over, I'm looking for a Frankenstein from now on. :)

Hi people,

Finally I get the Franks from my friend, and don't worry we are still friends :)

Since my last message I reshaped my listening room and it is much much better now. My Rega Maia3 was sounding just nice and I was really enjoying the music. A few weeks ago I gave a call to my friend and we chat for some time, than he told me that he is considering to sell the Franks for some "real life" expenses. Well, they are mine now :)

Nowadays I'm re-exploring the music. Maia3 was a great solid state amplifier but I notice now that some passages were not merely "sounds" but, cellos on the lower notes. "Hey look, double basses accompanying to cellos" or "Oh, that flute on the background... was it there before". You get the point. Listen Decca's, Mercury's, some ECM's with this amplifier and you are in the concert hall.

For the records, mine is the earlier black faceplate version. As all Frankenstein hunter's know, earlier version has a 4 dB gain advantage over the recent shiny version. Since, earlier I felt insecure about my speakers' relatively low sensitivity (92 dB), I asked Blume if the earlier version is better for me. He said, the recent version is superior on every level- build quality, reliability and especially sound and 4 dB advantage is meaningless. So look for the shiny version if you have the option, otherwise grab the first Frankenstein you see, like me. :)

Regards.