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Re: amplifier's Damping-Factor?

Posted by Thorsten on September 14, 1999 at 07:33:28

In Reply to: Re: amplifier's Damping-Factor? posted by Mart on September 14, 1999 at 06:15:08:

Hi there,

> > > > was looking for something with Krell performance < < < <

Poor you. IMHO Krell is amongst the worst sounding, very artificial sounding Amplifiers in the world. I can't stand them.

However there are some reasons why Krell Amp's sound as they do.

Krell Amplifiers parallel many output transistors and fit humungous Powersupplies. That translates into massive Power-Reserves and the ability to sustain the Power-Output almost down to DC. They also allways hugely exceed their rated Power.

If you want the Krell Type of thunderous, very deep Bass I have found the use of external Powersupplies using suitable numbers of sealed lead Acid batteries ideal.

The extreme dynamics into low Impdances are another issue. As soon as you beginn to parallel output Devices (Valves, Transistors, Mosfets) you compromise both transparency and hf response, but also general linearity.

The devices never share truely equal and indeed, in a very short timewindow one can observe often the Current "switching" between different transistors (or valves). Actually it's analogue and more like changing the distribution of current in the different transistors, but it generates very audible sonical problems.

Some of the excellent performance (transparency, tonality) of both the Marantz PM-66 and Marantz PM-17 comes from the fact that either unit only uses one pair of output Devices. That resultys in inherent limitations for both peak current and power.

As a result such an Amplifier will not be able to handle too difficult Speakers. My take would be to try something from Jeff Rowland as Amplifier, with external Battery Supply. These Amp's are pretty good.

Alternatively, something like the Sirus Amplifiers might fit the bill too.

The real alternative is to find Speakers that are more Amplifer friendly. Then you can use a Marantz PM-17 KI Signature.

Note that in the above I have never once mentioned the Damping Factor. it really is pretty irelevant. With a good PSU even a Single-Ended Valve-Amplifer can provide very deep and well damped bass, much in the Krell mould, if not with anywhere near the dynamic range (due to a limitation of about average 10W/Channel Output power instead of 1,000W).

Ciao Thorsten

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