Neuphonix said:
Thanks everyone for the replies, really appreciate the input.
Seems the general consensus is to stay with the 35P.
I'm only really considering the Classe because it is a trade in unit with a dealer who will let me trade for it, the change over cost would be fairly reasonable. But TBH it would have to be pretty special for me to part ways with the 35P.
Few too many factors going against it, age of the unit & spending more money not the least of them. But they will let me demo so what the heck, got nothing to lose.
I'll let you all know how things progress.
Rick do you have any reservations in regards to mixing brands of pre-amp / power amp?
Do you think that the extra power offered by the Classe will have any benefit for the 205/2?
@ Rick regarding the Fathoms. I was using them in my hifi set-up through a Bryston 10B sub active cross-over with my previous speakers, Focal Diablos. Since making the swap over to the 205/2 I haven't felt the need. Did try running them via the RCA outs on the pre-amp but I wasn't happy with the way they worked. Might try fiddling again, but feel at the moment the Kefs give me plenty of bottom end.
I'm definitely no expert & my room probably has a few issues, but I tended to find that using subs was a bit hit & miss. Sounded fantastic on some tracks & not so great on others. I also think that trying to have them set-up for Hifi & HT complicated the matter further.
So at the moment they are just being used for HT, for which they perform admirably, two subs is a bit ridiculous, but hey!
I originally wanted to buy the velodyne DD+ subs, but found the JL Audios to be much better VFM. The ability to have been able to set the DD+ up on different pre-sets (hifi or HT) which I could swap between via remote would have been very useful.
Do you use a sub? If so what sort?
Hi Neuphonix
Thanks for your reply and your welcome.
No, as long as the performance of both ultimately contributes to the system as a whole then I feel it is also perfectly ok to use pre and power amplification from different manufacturers.
The extra quantity of power will be benefit to you if you feel that the AMS-35P hasn't got enough power left to enable you to listen to your system at the levels that you would like to. Even if this is the case and all things equal and despite its extra resevoir of power however whether the CA-401 tonally gels well with your speakers and electronics is another matter.
If you're after more power then here in the first instance try and keep it 'in house' by looking at power amps from MF as (without wishing to state the obvious) technically and sonically at least another MF power amp should be closer to the AMS-35P.
As for alternative makes of power amplifier of over ten years ago I'll still recommend that you should also look out for a Krell FPB200 or a FPB300. I feel Krell's weightier, smoother, gutsy and dynamic balance not to mention their rip roaring power delivery should enable them to be a good match for your speakers and electronics. I stand to be corrected however I heard that KEF also used or use Krell amplification to partly develop their speakers.
Anyway, sorry to hear that you found the subs a hit and miss for your hi-fi. JL Audio have recently released their new CR-1 active crossover. Worth a try as being from the same manufacturer as your sub woofers might help with integrating the subs seamlessly with your speakers.
I wouldn't say using two Fathom f112's is ridiculous. The more the merrier. At the moment we are using a Fathom f212 and Fathom f113. JL Audio's new E110 and E112 subwoofers are on their way and for our AV system we hope to be using a configuration consisting of an f212, f113, two (stacked) E112's and two (stacked) E110's.
All the best
Rick @ Musicraft