Krell or ATC Amplifier

[S83 Trike]

I have an Audiolab CDQ8200 and ATC11 speakers, I am looking for a quality power ampSA-150 to match the pre amp section on the Audiolab.

I have been trying to locate a Quad 909 in very good condition, but having no luck. So I have changed to either a used ATC p1 power amp with a sensitivity of v2? Does this match the Audiolab pre amp?

Alternatively, I have located a used ATC SA-150 Integrate and a used Krell KAV 400xi, as alternative amps to the 909 but these are at a much higher cost!

Would the ATC mono dual power amp work with my pre amp section of the Audiolab cd player?

Alternatively will the two integrated amps work just as well?

My budget was for 909, (love the sound of valves, and currently using a Icon stereo 40), so the replacement amp would have to be better than my Icon.

I need an amp that has the quality of the Icon and lots of power to drive my ATC's?

 

[Frank Harvey]

I've always been unimpressed with Krell power amps in the past, but I haven't heard the integrated you've mentioned.

 

[CnoEvil]

If you like the sound of valves you should look at Pathos. Other amps to also consider might be Accuphase, Luxman, Electrocompaniet, Abrahamsen, Audio Research and Pass Labs.

 

[Infiniteloop]

If you like the sound of valves you should look at Pathos. Other amps to also consider might be Accuphase, Luxman, Electrocompaniet, Abrahamsen, Audio Research and Pass Labs.

+1 and I would add Unison Research to Cno's list.

 

[Vladimir]

The ATC P1 has input sensitivity of 2V and the Audiolab outputs 2.05V RMS, which is perfect match. You'll have plenty of headroom to use the digital volume with -/+ steps.

Krell vs ATC.

Both are capable amps and will do the job well. Get the one that you like best, the idea of owning it. If you always wanted a Krell with massive torroid and gazillion output transistors, this is your chance. If you like to match your ATC speakers with ATC amp and prefer owning a power amp with proper external cooling and dual mono configuration, get the ATC. Maybe you prefer the facilities of the Krell as an integrated, or maybe you want to skip adding another volume remote and just go direct to power amp from the Audiolab to the ATC. Etc. etc.

 

[ellisdj]

Who can honestly say they would not love to have had a Krell in their system at one stage or another

I know there are a lot of good companies but to say yeah man my amp is a Krell iys awesome

I think the other one would be Mark Levinson

 

[Al ears]

Who can honestly say they would not love to have had a Krell in their system at one stage or another

I know there are a lot of good companies but to say yeah man my amp is a Krell iys awesome

I think the other one would be Mark Levinson

And the other one might be a second hand Bryston. Believe they have a switchable 1V to 2V gain. Might be out of budget though.

 

[ellisdj]

Yes they do have a gain switch I can confirm that

 

[SteveR750]

In my experience, the hegel amps do a better job with ATC speakers than their own amplifiers, so you might want to include in your shortlist

 

[bluedroog]

CnoEvil lists some great alternative amps to consider there for you.

Krell make some wonderful muscle power amps that cost a fortune but my personal advice would be to steer clear of the kav 400xi and the previous 300i, particulary with ATC, yes they'll on paaper they will give them the power they need but I'd imagine the combination would be headache enducing.

I nearly bought the 400xi but backed out once I heard it and I really wanted to like it.

I'm suprised you can't find a Quad 909, in fact there is one at the top of the second page of the pinkfishmedia classifeds now for £560. I loved mine and used it with a valve pre-amp to great effect, I always wanted to try my Croft / Quad driving ATC's, reckon they'd sing.

 

[S83 Trike]

CnoEvil lists some great alternative amps to consider there for you.

Krell make some wonderful muscle power amps that cost a fortune but my personal advice would be to steer clear of the kav 400xi and the previous 300i, particulary with ATC, yes they'll on paaper they will give them the power they need but I'd imagine the combination would be headache enducing.

I nearly bought the 400xi but backed out once I heard it and I really wanted to like it.

I'm suprised you can't find a Quad 909, in fact there is one at the top of the second page of the pinkfishmedia classifeds now for £560. I loved mine and used it with a valve pre-amp to great effect, I always wanted to try my Croft / Quad driving ATC's, reckon they'd sing.

That one is sold, they are like gold dust...........

 

[Al ears]

CnoEvil lists some great alternative amps to consider there for you.

Krell make some wonderful muscle power amps that cost a fortune but my personal advice would be to steer clear of the kav 400xi and the previous 300i, particulary with ATC, yes they'll on paaper they will give them the power they need but I'd imagine the combination would be headache enducing.

I nearly bought the 400xi but backed out once I heard it and I really wanted to like it.

I'm suprised you can't find a Quad 909, in fact there is one at the top of the second page of the pinkfishmedia classifeds now for £560. I loved mine and used it with a valve pre-amp to great effect, I always wanted to try my Croft / Quad driving ATC's, reckon they'd sing.

That one is sold, they are like gold dust...........

There appears to be one on hififorsale.com for £500 but not too sure how old ad is or acton-gate-audio.co.uk new at 999.

 

[matt49]

If you're after a 'muscle' power amp, you could do a lot worse than a Sanders Magtech: 500WPC and capable of driving the difficultest speakers on the planet. OK, maybe overkill for your ATCs ...

 

[Electro]

My recommendation would be 2 x Abrahamsen V4.0UP power amps bridged into monoblocks .

2 x 280wpc into 8 ohms , 2 x 500 wpc into 4 ohms .

2 X massive 1000va transformers with 100 amps + current delivery .

Transient power measured in kilowatts .

All this for £1800 in the UK brand new , it will also probably last a lifetime given the build quality !

The ATC's will pose no problem at all for these amps at all the ATC11's will be driven to their maximum capability .

http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!abrahamsen-v40up-power-amplifier/cf35

 

[S83 Trike]

I couldn't find either of the 909's on hifgi for sale or Acton gate audio?

 

[Al ears]

I couldn't find either of the 909's on hifgi for sale or Acton gate audio?

Sorry, did a Google search and found link to Acton Gate however it must be an old page as it still shows as available but going direct to their website and it's not listed.

If you're really desperate there is one on HiFi-for sale.co.uk unfortunately it is part of a Quad package but I guess he might be persuaded to split it up or you might buy the lot and flog what you don't want.

 

[SteveR750]

My recommendation would be 2 x Abrahamsen V4.0UP power amps bridged into monoblocks .

2 x 280wpc into 8 ohms , 2 x 500 wpc into 4 ohms .

 2 X massive 1000va transformers with 100 amps + current delivery .

Transient power measured in  kilowatts .

All this for £1800 in the UK brand new , it will also probably last a lifetime given the build quality  !

The ATC's will pose no problem at all for these amps at all the ATC11's will be driven to their maximum capability .

http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!abrahamsen-v40up-power-amplifier/cf35

+1 or the hegel 360.

 

[pauln]

I couldn't find either of the 909's on hifgi for sale or Acton gate audio?

There are two on ebay right now, both from the same seller and both allegedly rarely used.