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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!
mtrot

Showing 2 responses by phusis

phusis's avatar
phusis
1,119 posts
 
The Belles SA-30 - from what I can tell a little-known poweramp, but going by its sound quality a regular thoroughbred the should play second fiddle to none, and therefore deserves much more recognition.

The specified 30 watts belies its actual capabilities; I've been told it driving a pair of S.P. Technology Revelation's with ease, and through my moderately sensitive speakers (93dB's) sounds completely effortless even with high SPL (100dB+ peak) Blu-ray playback.

The Sound Stage review appears to be a rather accurate representation of its sonic virtues:

http://www.soundstage.com/equipment/belles_sa30.htm
phusis's avatar
phusis
1,119 posts
 
Melbguy --

Mtrot, I wouldn't get too hung up on Class A biasing to be honest, it is mostly marketing bs.

If the "marketing bs" regards how marketing itself misuses the term 'Class-A amplification' in its pure form (i.e.: disguised as high bias Class-A/B designs), Class-A in its strict sense is hardly to blame, nor is its sonic potential fully explored. By the same token marketing would have had its influence into making us fancy high power ratings, which in all practicality seems mutually exclusive with (true) Class-A designs.

Let's not forget what we're really fighting here: misleading marketing.
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