Amp opinions- ATI-B&K-Pass Labs
I own the Beethovens and have EAD epquipment running them in my home theater. You said this is for 2 channel. First thing I would do is look at the speaker cable,any type of monster product is going to cut you short on performance. Have you called Sumiko in California. If I am not mistaken the use Plinius amps. Good luck Tim [email protected] |
I use the Aleph P through Nordost Red Dawn to Aleph 2 monos through Red Dawn. This amp system is quite fast, detailed, ULTRA-quiet, and linear. I too checked out the GFP750, and despite cousin Wes's review in S'phile, I was so put off by Adcom's poor customer service and the knowledge that Nelson simply sold them a design that I chose to buy a used P for $1800 instead of a new 750 for $1200. Nicest remote in the world, too! The Akeph 2s pack 200w/ch into 4 ohms, so I don't experience the anemic bass some ascribe to the smaller Alephs. Far from it, as they power those incredible woofers in my Parsifal Encores to prodigious orchestral groundswells. Alephs will also run in a dead short, and supposedly are indestructible. I would think that a used P and maybe an Aleph 5 stereo could be had for under $4k; $5-5500 with monos. I can't imagine I'll ever up(?)grade. Some have criticised the P as being uninvolving. My experience is that it is simply extremely quiet, dynamic, and especially LINEAR. So if you need to "flavor" your system with a tubed pre, etc., then a P is not a good choice. The P is SO revealing due to vanishing noisefloor and one-stage amplification that cable changes upstream are easily heard, as well digital artifacts that some creamier preamps can mitigate. Now that I'm running an ultraclean, resolving front end (EC EMC-1) I no longer can fault my system for being ruthless up top. A much higher percentage of recordings sound great! To capsulize, the Aleph combo will reveal the transducers' virtues and foibles at the ends of the chain quite clearly. You probably love your speakers. The Alephs can do no harm there. I would then concentrate on a front end complement that is complimentary (oy!). And then fine tune with cables. Just my experience, but it worked well. Good Luck. |
Hello Gelba4, I would tend to agree w/Flemke. I own the Plinius SA-250 mkiv and this amp is awsome. But, in your case, I would recommend McCormack. I've heard both the DNA-125 and the '225 and both are excellent sounding amps. The '125 is cool and clean w/ very good detail and the '225 is the same w/a little more depth and more brute power. I beleive, IMHO, either of these amps would be a wonderful addition to your system. I've also heard that they are as smooth as tube amps. I cannot comment on this though, I've never listened to a tube amp. Now, if you wanted to step up the money some, plinius, again IMHO, is the best amp. |
The Aleph P is wonderful and the Aleph 5 is also fabulous. Where I was coming from on the slow side was the generally undamped effect the 5 has in the bass side of things. I believe this is one of the reasons for the enjoment of the music, my system doesn't have the unrelenting signature of an SS system. Generally allowing the music to float and not be so driven! The 5 is alot of amp, previously I enjoyed SF Power 2 and the 5 easily keeps up with it on the power side and both do sound similar. I gave up the $800 tube bill for the 5 and have found a very good compromise in a SS amp. |
Go with the Pass. It's a great amp, and the Beethovens are great speakers, I know, I own 'em. Take your time upgrading. Buy the Pass, even if it makes you wait a year or so until you can upgrade your preamp. It'll be worth it to take your time, and do it right. I have a Classe CP-60 preamp and a Threshold T400 amp driving my pair through Tara Labs RSC Master Gen II cables, and I'm very satisfied. You have great speakers, take your time and build up your system around them. I've also heard the Beethovens sound good with Classe amps. John |
