The One and Only Big D Thread

Discussion in 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' started by Big D Design, Feb 14, 2017.

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  1. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    The 2 RELs are just freakin amazing. OMG. I have not heard better low end.

    I was wondering what a difference that Gungnir Multibit would make to the equation.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Better more precise staging, clarity, and resolution than Modi Multibit. Less laid back and sharper highs.

    How long have you had the SP-331 on? The SP-331 was thin and harsh sounding for the first four or five hours. Wondering if leaving the tubes unused for a while may require another extended power on session. The staging never got precise though. Always a slight diffuseness compared to any of the other amps. I blame the tubes, although the "openness" is welcome.
     
  3. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    OK. I did it. Vincent is for sale. I ordered a used Krell amp. Party is over. Sound will be good now. Krell has just been serviced.

    I have thrown in the towel with the Vincent SP-331 amplifier. It just doesn't go well with my Martin Logan ESLs. I love my NuPrime STA-9 with it's perfect tonality of voice and instruments. But it's lacking in soundstage and overall air that Martin Logan speaker can give a user.

    Since I used to design systems for high-end clients. I know what good sound is......

    Ok. I did it. Bought a used Krell. Hopefully it will show up to my door. It is coming from Quebec, Canada. According to the seller, it has just been serviced. It is an early Ninties amp that I know kicks butt. It's the Krell KSA-100. Class A for 50 watts or even more with my Martin Logans. 100 conservative RMS watts/ch 8 ohms. Multiplies power on down. Stable down to 1 ohm. If I'm lucky to get this in my livingroom....... all my woes will go away. This is a darn good amp for the Martins. Class A is what is nice. Sure it's old. But a service call to see if this baby is still ready for battle was the call to me that it was OK to buy a used vintage Krell. A lot rests on trust right now. I need a fat lady signing in my livingroom with this amp on my stand and pressing out that wonderful Class A music we all long for.. And then I will rejoice. Not a second sooner. Wish me luck. I got this one for a decent price for a serviced unit.
     
  4. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    Which krell?
     
  5. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    [​IMG]

    go to Power Amps and you will see new thread
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2017
  6. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    Good luck man, moving those things sucks, but they're killer. Also, good going on finding one that's recently serviced. Those Martin Logans do sometimes swing below 2 ohms, so the stabilities on the old Krells is nice. I think this was D'Agostino's design work.
     
  7. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    Vincent has officially gone back into box and will be sold. Not keeping it. Just doesn't go well with my Martin Logans. I have hooked up my NuPrime STA-9 back into the system, and this time used the SE inputs instead of the XLR. Subwoofer problem solved, and it actually sounds just as good as the XLR. What a fool I have been about those balanced Freya outputs. The SE outputs are just fine.

    The NuPrime STA-9 sound quality with the Martin Logan ESLs is simply spot on with timbre of voices male and female. Instruments are super realistic once again. There is HiFi once again in my livingroom.

    If the Krell KST-100 Class A amp works out, I will have a miracle on my hands. I am not getting too excited until I have it all setup and playing my favorite artists. My only worry now is that I have 2 APC AVR units, but they are only rated for 10 amps each one. I have 2 to allow one for just the amplifier and the other for the subs and preamp. According to Krell, I should only have this amp on on outlet only, which I'm doing. But is it going to pull more than 10 amps? I doubt I would even play it that loud anyway, but I'm going to see if I can find out how much amps this model pulls. I have a 20 amp outlet for the whole system, so I should be good overall. I'm a firm believer in good AVR with those RFI and EMI filters and the bloody surge protection, voltage drops and such. I paid a little less than half of what the amp cost back in I would imagine 1993 or so. That was $3,000US. Wish me luck. 50 watts or more of Class A and 100watts/channel at 8ohms, 200@4ohms, 400@2ohms, 800@1ohm is some heady stuff by any ruler. I just keep saying..... is this really gonna happen? And actually be a reliable Krell Class A monster....... I'm keeping the NuPrime and will have it as backup. Makes sense to have a backup. I will be posting the Vincent on US Audio Mart in a few days. Been busy and I need a bit of a siesta. Cheers to all with all your help guys. But the NuPrime just fits perfect. Just needed to use the SE inputs to get the subs synchronized.
     
  8. fishski13

    fishski13 Friend

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    I just breezed through the KST 100 manual. I would follow their recommendations to a T. You can contact Krell for rough ball draw from the mains outlet, but I personally wouldn't insert any conditioner or operate a vacuum cleaner on the same mains circuit while the amp is powered on. The KST 100 is a bipolar complimentary design and will be immune to AC mains noise. Operating a vacuum cleaner on the same circuit will probably result in tripping a breaker at the house electrical panel. If I were Krell, I wouldn't trust most of the power conditioners on the market and their marketing ratings. They designed-in protection circuitry for a reason. Go au naturale sans cock sock. The Krell will draw some juice, but shouldn't break a ball driving the MLs. If it was just serviced, you should be rockin'.
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2017
  9. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    Welcome to the big boy Krell world. Maybe you'll eventually move up to the FPB or Evolution.

    I'm sure you'll be posting a review anyway.
     
  10. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @fishski13
    Great advise. I was also thinking about just having it go right into the wall outlet. The manual says 15A. I finally read the thing. Yea, my NuPrime is back in my system now and I'm running the SE inputs and everything is sounding proper. REL S3 subs are dialing in just right. This is the first time I tried the SE input with the NuPrime STA-9 amp and it sounds just as good as the balanced. Solved my problem. Just checked my Ebay account and it says that I won't get my Krell for a while. Like it could take a couple of weeks to get to me. Ouch. As long as it comes and works like a charm, that all I really care about. Thanks for your take on the Krell. Someone else has 2 of the same Krells for sale for $2,600, but I don't have that kind of cash and they hadn't been serviced. But it was tempting, oh yes it was. Just to have a backup amp and just use the one. I don't really think the Martin Logans need Krell Mono Blocks.

    My Vincent SP-331 is up now on US Audio Mart. I'm probably asking too much, but what the heck.
     
  11. SineDave

    SineDave Friend

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    Are you a class A guy through and through? I used to be, until I powered my Legacy's with a good Class D amp. The skeptic is now a believer.
     
  12. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    I'm not a Class A snob. I believe a good amp is a good amp. I love my NuPrime STA-9 Class D.

    I think we amplifiers should just all get along.
     
  13. SineDave

    SineDave Friend

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    Not sure where you are located, but I highly recommend demoing a D-Sonic. I'm in Houston and have a couple.
     
  14. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    What are the requirements for driving your panels?

    I couldn't possibly use a Class-D amp to drive mine since it needs to be able to handle a 0.5 ohm load at times.
     
  15. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    D-Sonic seems to use Abletec(or Anaview)/Pascal modules. I believe latest models are Pascal, and Pascal themselves list minimum 4 ohm load impedance.
     
  16. SineDave

    SineDave Friend

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    The owner (Dennis) has made some proprietary changes that enable the amps to drive loads down to 1ohm with stability. I've heard the D-Sonics powering all manner of wonky designs and difficult loads like Maggies are where they actually excel the most.

    All I can suggest is an audition.
     
  17. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    @SineDave
    x

    My question to all here is.......

    Can an amplifier actually have something like a veil that is stopping the artist and the instruments from reaching realism go away? Marvey said when he 1st got the amp it was thin sounding and it got so much better over time. What I'm getting is that the sound is too full bodied and I want the cold to go out of the amp. It's like a stuffy nose is stopping that last little bit of transparency that even my NuPrime STA-9 does in spades that makes for a true realistic music experience, and a feeling like you are there. Financially, I can keep the amp if I want to. It's not going to break me. And as you can see... it looks fantastic underneath the Freya. But it really irks me the sound of it. I mean it just doesn't produce hi fidelity out of my setup. So is it possible for an amp to open up with the transparency over time?
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2017
  18. powermatic

    powermatic Friend

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    I can't answer whether or not this amp will "open up", but you've stated often and oftener how much you like the NuPrime, so why not just listen to some music for awhile, and give the equipment listening a rest? Rotating different gear in and out of your system every few days doesn't make sense when it's sounding bad, and if your system is sounding good, why not enjoy it free of 'dear god maybe I'm missing something!' angst. Saying that, I realize people enjoy the hobby for various reasons, so if you're digging this, by all means carry on!
     
  19. Big D Design

    Big D Design RIP 2021

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    NuPrime STA-9 is just perfect now with RCA input. REL S3 subs are blended properly with the Martin Logan ESLs. I'm sorry I'm driving some crazy with my thoughts. My system could use some more dynamic power, I think. Otherwise the sound is so good I would be a fool to want more. Remember I used to design systems for years. Come to salons with all my cables and get things to gell together for one cohesive unit. I'm actually very good at pinpointing products that go well together. I'm an engineer of audio and many other industries. Enough said.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2017
  20. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    Why does this need a whole f'ing new thread for it?
     

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