thank you sir! unfortunately the mbl's wouldn't work in my room so i stuck with the brand that I know would. for my current space and any future space in the city, i think the m2's are just perfect!
Symphonic Line
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I can’t comment on this comparison but can give you an update on the 40th Anniversary SL Kraft 300 Mono-blocks compared to the standard Kraft 300 Mono-blocks and the D’Agostino M400 Mono-blocks. I received my 40th Anniversary Kraft 300 Mono-blocks in December 2021 replacing the standard Kraft 300 mono blocks and have around 1500 hours on them. Out of the box there was a noticeable improvement in clarity and transparency and they continue to get better exceeding the performance of the standard Kraft 300 mono-blocks. The biggest improvement is in the midrange providing greater insight into vocals, piano and all other musical performances with better layering within the soundstage that communicates their location within the soundstage. Simply stated the music performance has greater palatable presence. The other improvement is timbral and tonal accuracy with a greater warmth and naturalness to the sound especially listening to violin concerto’s, saxophone solos and vocals. There is also greater inner detailing improving my musical experience to hearing musical details never heard before. Another improvement is with the attack and dynamics of the musical performance which makes the performance sound more real or as in a live performance. In comparison to the M400, the 40th Anniversary SL Kraft 300’s are very close in overall performance and within 90-95% of the M400’s sonic characteristics at a lower price then the new M400MX4. The old version of the M400’s have a better grip on the bass performance and a slight bit more slam but the 40th Anniversary Kraft 300 version is not far behind in these areas and definitely comparable in the mids, clarity and transparency. I haven‘t heard the new M400MX4 but have to assume it is much improved over the standard M400‘s. Nevertheless, I am extremely happy with the 40th Anniversary SL Kraft 300 Amps and they are a key contributor in my systems great performance keeping me engaged in the musical experience at a reasonable cost.
Hi.. curious as to what do you think the performance percentage if you were to compare the standard Kraft 300 monos to D’Agostino M400 in your opinion?
Skanda, I had Audio Research Reference 10 before the RG3MK5 which is a phenomenal preamplifier providing the best 3-Dimensional soundstage ever in my home. The RG3MK5 is more detailed and as transparent and gets 90% of the dimensionality of Ref 10. I heard great things about Soulution 721 and would stay with it if I was in your shoes, unless your not happy with it.
The standard Kraft 300 is several notches below the M400. If the M400 is a 9 the standard Kraft is a 7.0 -7.5 while the 40th Kraft Is a 8 - 8.5. The M400 is a musical amplifier while the standard Kraft 300 is very liquid but lacks the dynamics and bass control of M400. The 40th is more like the M400 and draws you into the music as well.
For what it's worth I have Kraft 350 stereo amp and it's dead silent
Likewise.
The hum could be coming from the transformers. If so, all it needs is tightening (please have a tech do it, do not attempt it yourself
)Even the low (ha) power RG1 is an incredibly satisfying amp if you do not need more than 130w. I still have an RG1 mk4 that I simply refuse to sell even though I now only need 15w. Symphonic Line amps tick more boxes than most and I know Alon Wolfe of Maggico personally. He uses Symphonic Line amps for testing in house. Alon says there is something special in the Symphonic Line amps.
Agree with you... having been using various models of SL over the years. Currently using Kraft 300 MK3 with Magico A5 and its awesome!.
Any Symphonic Line Kraft 300MK3 owner has ever listened to it driving TAD speakers (CR1 more precisely) ?
Is it a difficult amp to pair with standard gain preamp?
Thanks for your answers!
Is it a difficult amp to pair with standard gain preamp?
Thanks for your answers!
No, unfortunately. However, I have never heard of a high powered SL unable to drive a pair of speakers - any speakers
I have used it with active preamps of carious gains, and passive preamp; Never had a problem.
Thank you @Gregm - Rolf Gemein is now organising a trial at my home. Exciting time, it will be very interesting.
Agree with Gregm, the Kraft 250 and 300 amps are high current amps designed to mate well with difficult loads - My speakers are nominal 4 ohm speakers and the Krafts provide more than enough power to effectively drive them. Stef, Ask Rolf to let you also audition the Erleuchtung tube preamp with the Krafts - They are an amazing combination.
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Thanks Jonaiken. That's certainly a good idea but I prefer to focus on finding a good power amp in synergy with my actual system. Moreover i only have tubes in my DAC (Aries Cerat) and I prefer to stay like this. Reading this tread SL Kraft seems to be a good option to bring a more liquid sound in a system without drying up the bank account. I see that most of you kept your SL after many years... which is a good sign
I have pulled the trigger on a SL Kraft 300MK3 Edition following a demo at my place. What a beast ! I didn’t realise it would be so large!!
Great power amp overall even if I have to admit that I still need to adjust a bit my listening vs my previous TAD mono amps. The SL is indeed on the warm side on neutral with a really great holographic dimensionality and a lot of air. The Kraft doesn’t present the recordings as I used to listen to it (no right or wrong I guess) but anyway I can feel that it already brings me closer to the emotion of the music and this is what matters to me. I know that a transistor cannot really reproduce the micro-dynamics and palpability of the sound of a good tube but IMHO SL comes really close to it!
Rolf and Heinz told me that the Kraft would need some time to really fully open up. Looking forward to experiencing more sonic bliss!
Great power amp overall even if I have to admit that I still need to adjust a bit my listening vs my previous TAD mono amps. The SL is indeed on the warm side on neutral with a really great holographic dimensionality and a lot of air. The Kraft doesn’t present the recordings as I used to listen to it (no right or wrong I guess) but anyway I can feel that it already brings me closer to the emotion of the music and this is what matters to me. I know that a transistor cannot really reproduce the micro-dynamics and palpability of the sound of a good tube but IMHO SL comes really close to it!
Rolf and Heinz told me that the Kraft would need some time to really fully open up. Looking forward to experiencing more sonic bliss!
It will take about 1500 hours for the initial "burn-in", and then the amp will still get better as time passes by. Just try to keep it on all the time if you are able. That is a rather curious performance "feature" of ALL Symphonic Line gear. Also, ask Rolf to enclose the amp's transformer with the MuMetal , it should be about 500-600 euros or dollars extra, but its really worth it IMHO. He may argue against it, but try to insist!
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Thanks @AudioLibertarian for your suggestions ! Interesting. With Rolf and Heinz we already started to discussed about the MuMetal. Following your experience what does it bring to the sound? I may follow your recommendations and do it this winter (Heinz is ought to visit me in Paris).
Besides all the numerous qualities of the Kraft 300 I have noticed that the bass are slightly rounded - do you have the same feeling? Will it change over time? I have put the Kraft on a wellfloat board which has already slightly improved the performance level of the Power Amp.
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