<3k for a Class A amp doesn't leave you with many options. As always be careful buying used especially with an older(20+ years) amp. My suggestion would be a Krell KSA 80. It has been claimed by many to be one of the "best" sounding of the older Krell amps. A new option(slightly over budget) would be the Jungson JA-50 mono blocks($3800)from Grant Fidelity. I have not demoed this model but have heard other Jungson amps at AKFEST shows and was impressed with the build/sound/price ratio.
First foray into Class A amp -- recommendations
Thinking of checking out a Class A(or quasi) amp just to see if the sound is really better than a nice Class A/B amp. I want to buy a used amp and my budget is $2500-3000. My current class A/B amp is a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe, rev. A.
I've been looking at a lot of amps here on A'gon and what I have come up with so far is the Krell KSA-200S, which, from what I read in reviews, operates largely in Class A into 8 ohm loads up to 200 wpc.
Considering that my McCormack is a pretty decent amp, do you expect that the Krell would offer a significant upgrade in my priority areas of bass slam and control, mid range transparency, and natural high frequencies? I also welcome any other suggestions or ideas. Thanks!
I've been looking at a lot of amps here on A'gon and what I have come up with so far is the Krell KSA-200S, which, from what I read in reviews, operates largely in Class A into 8 ohm loads up to 200 wpc.
Considering that my McCormack is a pretty decent amp, do you expect that the Krell would offer a significant upgrade in my priority areas of bass slam and control, mid range transparency, and natural high frequencies? I also welcome any other suggestions or ideas. Thanks!