Amplification Kef 207/2

[frogfish]

I've had the Sugden monoblocks at home for the last five days and yes there is a lot of improvement on anything that has scale, including bigger soundstage, much better bass, in a nutshell more presence, more real.

I am getting Bryston 7bsst on home trial tomorrow, so let's see how it compares... Can someone advise how much the Bryston should be, I have the impression that they retail at quite a high price here in Singapore (equivalent of 7k GBP a pair).

 

[Frank Harvey]

Well, you have a bargain there, as they're nearer £10k here....

You're in for a treat (as long as you like their presentation, of course)

 

[frogfish]

Well, you have a bargain there, as they're nearer £10k here....

You're in for a treat (as long as you like their presentation, of course)

Seems that they are cheaper in the US from what I saw on the net...

Anyway, will see how they sound as home ! I am trusting you on this one as at the dealer I found the system a bit bright to my taste (with Bryston CD player or streamer and Vienna Acoustics speakers)

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi frogfish

If Gryphon amplification is also available for home demo then please also consider listening to their Antileon Signature Stereo :twisted: or Antileon Signature Mono :twisted: :twisted: power amplifers.

http://www.gryphon-audio.dk/

Btw, just to be clear i don't deal with Gryphon.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[frogfish]

Hi frogfish

If Gryphon amplification is also available for home demo then please also consider listening to their Antileon Signature Stereo :twisted: or Antileon Signature Mono :twisted: :twisted: power amplifers.

http://www.gryphon-audio.dk/

Btw, just to be clear i don't deal with Gryphon.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

That's a monster ! What makes your recommend it ?

Anyway, I will check it out - I know the Singapore dealer (he also distributes Weiss, and I bought my DAC from them).

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi frogfish

If Gryphon amplification is also available for home demo then please also consider listening to their Antileon Signature Stereo :twisted: or Antileon Signature Mono :twisted: :twisted: power amplifers.

http://www.gryphon-audio.dk/

Btw, just to be clear i don't deal with Gryphon.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

That's a monster ! What makes your recommend it ?

Anyway, I will check it out - I know the Singapore dealer (he also distributes Weiss, and I bought my DAC from them).

Hi frogfish

Well firstly because Gryphon amplifers are monsters :twisted: and then quality of their build, fit, finishing, reliability, back up service, longevity of their products, technology, power :twisted: and performance :twisted:

Besides which i also believe that just as with Plinius amplification, Gryphon amplification is sonically also likely to work well with KEF Reference speakers

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Macspur]

Hi Frogfish,

Is there anything you don't like about the Sugdens? is there something missing from the SQ that you're looking for?

Cheers

Mac

 

[CnoEvil]

I've had the Sugden monoblocks at home for the last five days and yes there is a lot of improvement on anything that has scale, including bigger soundstage, much better bass, in a nutshell more presence, more real.

I am getting Bryston 7bsst on home trial tomorrow, so let's see how it compares... Can someone advise how much the Bryston should be, I have the impression that they retail at quite a high price here in Singapore (equivalent of 7k GBP a pair).

You have now set the standard to beat.

Do you think it gives enough of an improvement over the IA-4, as to be worth the extra money?

 

[frogfish]

... I will let you know how it goes - Initial impression from the wife: they look nicer

 

[CnoEvil]

... I will let you know how it goes - Initial impression from the wife: they look nicer

That's probably the biggest hurdle!!

 

[frogfish]

That's probably the biggest hurdle!!

Based on listening so far (rock/ house/ folk), not a hurdle ! But the real test will be tomorrow with classical...

 

[CnoEvil]

Based on listening so far (rock/ house/ folk), not a hurdle ! But the real test will be tomorrow with classical...

Classical music "should" play to the system's strengths.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi frogfish

Any joy with Gryphon? :twisted:

Btw, amplification from Krell, Accuphase, Boulder, Mark Levinson and ASR Audio are also worth a look

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[frogfish]

So after 24h with the Bryston, I am really enjoying myself, and I have not considered once re-hooking the Sugden monoblocks... Music is more tight, controlled, it just flows. To my ears, no question that the Kef and Bryston partner very very well.

So where do I go know ? Clearly the Sugden mono blocks are out. Bryston I would very happily live with... Should I continue my search (I see suggestions of Krell, Mak Levinson, McIntosh and the Danish dragon), or just order the Canadian amps and spend a silly amount of money which i think I am going to do anyway (and they come with 20 years transferrable warranty, very reassuring). Or maybe just replug y integrated, and see how long I last before splurging...

I'll update when I make a decision...

 

[Electro]

So after 24h with the Bryston, I am really enjoying myself, and I have not considered once re-hooking the Sugden monoblocks... Music is more tight, controlled, it just flows. To my ears, no question that the Kef and Bryston partner very very well.

So where do I go know ? Clearly the Sugden mono blocks are out. Bryston I would very happily live with... Should I continue my search (I see suggestions of Krell, Mak Levinson, McIntosh and the Danish dragon), or just order the Canadian amps and spend a silly amount of money which i think I am going to do anyway (and they come with 20 years transferrable warranty, very reassuring). Or maybe just replug y integrated, and see how long I last before splurging...

I'll update when I make a decision...

Before you make you final decision you owe it to yourself to try the Electrocompaniet monoblocks as previously mentioned especially as you like the Bryston mono's so much .

There are a lot of similarities between Bryston and Electrocompaniet including their professional heritage .

The sound quality is quite similar too both having equal levels of effortless power and control that allows the music to just flow naturally even when the music is very complex with extreme transients .

The main differences in my opinion are the Electrocompaniet amps are even better at preserving transient information without clipping and are better at presenting a 3d image / soundstage with a suitable recording probably because they are more heavily biased into class A , they are also a little more forgiving of less than perfect recordings and have a knack of highlighting what is good about a recording rather than what is bad IMO .

I must say though if you can't get hold of the Electrocompaniet amps where you are then the Brystons would be my second choice

 

[CnoEvil]

So after 24h with the Bryston, I am really enjoying myself, and I have not considered once re-hooking the Sugden monoblocks... Music is more tight, controlled, it just flows. To my ears, no question that the Kef and Bryston partner very very well.

So where do I go know ? Clearly the Sugden mono blocks are out. Bryston I would very happily live with... Should I continue my search (I see suggestions of Krell, Mak Levinson, McIntosh and the Danish dragon), or just order the Canadian amps and spend a silly amount of money which i think I am going to do anyway (and they come with 20 years transferrable warranty, very reassuring). Or maybe just replug y integrated, and see how long I last before splurging...

I'll update when I make a decision...

Excellent! You now have a new benchmark.

I would have suggested the Plinius and MF AMS* (which I think is better than Sugden), but I think these are ruled out as you can't get a home dem.

With the possible exception of Electrocompaniet and Rick's suggestions, I think there is a good chance that you've found the right match.....anything that can comfortably beat the Sugden monos will be a tough act to follow!

* If you wish to hear the AMS, contact Indra at MF (head of sales, I believe), as she is helpful and can normally expedite matters.

 

[frogfish]

Did not manage to organize a demo of Electro monoblocks, so placed an order for the Bryston -- I will get them in 4 to 6 weeks.

So I guess I am all sorted out, just need to sell the IA-4...

Thanks everyone for all your input and advice, very much appreciated !

 

[Frank Harvey]

An excellent combination, one which will keep you hooked for a long time - enjoy

 

[frogfish]

An excellent combination, one which will keep you hooked for a long time - enjoy

Well thank you, your enthusiasm did put me on the right track

 

[CnoEvil]

Did not manage to organize a demo of Electro monoblocks, so placed an order for the Bryston -- I will get them in 4 to 6 weeks.

So I guess I am all sorted out, just need to sell the IA-4...

Thanks everyone for all your input and advice, very much appreciated !

I'm delighted that your speakers got the amplification they deserve. It's just a shame that more dealers selling highend kit won't entertain a home dem.

Enjoy your new toys

Cno

 

[Macspur]

Excellent!

You've got a superb set up there now and one to enjoy for a few years.

Cheers

Macs

 

[Electro]

Fantastic hope your new system takes you to that special musical place that we all strive to find

 

[frogfish]

An excellent combination, one which will keep you hooked for a long time - enjoy

Thanks - Whilst I wait for delivery, I was reading the Bryston instruction manual on line, and saw that there is a switch for selecting either 1v or 2v input sensitivity setting. I assume this has to be set depending on the pre-amp ?

If so, my Weiss can be set at either 1.06v or 2.12 (or for that matter 4.15 and 8.15) XLR output - Which combo should theoretically work best ?

 

[Frank Harvey]

On the back of ours at says 23dB and 29dB, so I'm guessing it might be labelled differently depending on region. The higher gain can give you a slightly more exciting listen, and the lower gain can come across a little smoother. It's subtle, but choose whatever you prefer. I usually use the higher.

 

[frogfish]

ok thanks !