What the world needs now is a $250,000 power amplifier

dcc

VIP/Donor
Nov 4, 2012
650
1,270
1,230
Continental Europe -
Call me cynical, but how in 14 years did Dan D'Agostino add $200k+ value to his flagship amps from Krell's flagship Class A amps of the mid-2000's (see pic below)? :confused:

Personally for that kind of wallop, I'd rather go for a pair of Vitus MP-S201 amps configured as mono blocks, Dartzeel NHB-468 or Boulder 3050 mono's. Or for just over half the price you could buy a Boulder 3060 for $130k, FM Acoustics FM1811 for similar doh, or a single Vitus MP-S201 for $102k, all of which have enormous power reserves like the Relentless.

View attachment 47266
Krell 750Mcx mono's
You forget that Dan already made similar behemoths at Krell i.e. the Krell Master Reference Amplifier. The amps that you are showing are just little dwarfs compared to the MRAs.

In the late 2000, his master piece was actually the Evolution One which was not the most powerful amp (450 watts) and was inspired by the KAS.
 

Bodhi

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2014
1,051
361
155
You forget that Dan already made similar behemoths at Krell i.e. the Krell Master Reference Amplifier. The amps that you are showing are just little dwarfs compared to the MRAs.

In the late 2000, his master piece was actually the Evolution One which was not the most powerful amp (450 watts) and was inspired by the KAS.
I wasn't comparing specific Krell/D'ag amplifiers. I was simply posing the question "How in 14 years did Dan D'Agostino add $200k+ value to his flagship amps from Krell's flagship Class A amps of the mid-2000's"?
 
Last edited:

RogerD

VIP/Donor
May 23, 2010
3,734
318
565
BiggestLittleCity
At some point this hobby becomes ridiculous....

“He wanted to challenge himself to build an extremely high power design, far beyond the amps he'd done before, so the Relentless can deliver 1,500 watts into 8 ohm speakers”

In 1990 mono block ampliers were designed and built with the same specifications for 3000.00 dollars each. I know because I purchased a pair.
 

dcc

VIP/Donor
Nov 4, 2012
650
1,270
1,230
Continental Europe -
I wasn't comparing specific Krell/D'ag amplifiers. I was simply posing the question "How in 14 years did Dan D'Agostino add $200k+ value to his flagship amps from Krell's flagship Class A amps of the mid-2000's"?

The retail price of the Krell MRA was at the time 150,000 USD so Dan has « only » added 100,000.
 

Tango

VIP/Donor
Mar 12, 2017
4,938
6,268
950
Bangkok
  • Like
Reactions: Rob181

Alpinist

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2014
530
143
280
USA
Call me cynical, but how in 14 years did Dan D'Agostino add $200k+ value to his flagship amps from Krell's flagship Class A amps of the mid-2000's (see pic below)? :confused:

Personally for that kind of wallop, I'd rather go for a pair of Vitus MP-S201 amps configured as mono blocks, Dartzeel NHB-468 or Boulder 3050 mono's. Or for just over half the price you could buy a Boulder 3060 for $130k, FM Acoustics FM1811 for similar doh, or a single Vitus MP-S201 for $102k, all of which have enormous power reserves like the Relentless.

View attachment 47266
Krell 750Mcx mono's

I personally have no problem with the Relentless. Dan is a terrific amp designer and if there is a market for such a beast then good for him.

But I agree with you, give me the Dartzeel NHB-468 and I’ll spend the other $75K on a preamp or cables.

Ken
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bodhi

Folsom

VIP/Donor
Oct 25, 2015
6,024
1,490
520
Eastern WA
At some point this hobby becomes ridiculous....

“He wanted to challenge himself to build an extremely high power design, far beyond the amps he'd done before, so the Relentless can deliver 1,500 watts into 8 ohm speakers”

In 1990 mono block ampliers were designed and built with the same specifications for 3000.00 dollars each. I know because I purchased a pair.

The transistors alone today would cost more than $3k for the Relentless pair.
 

TooCool4

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2013
960
939
925
England
Personally for that kind of wallop, I'd rather go for a pair of Vitus MP-S201 amps configured as mono blocks, Dartzeel NHB-468 or Boulder 3050 mono's. Or for just over half the price you could buy a Boulder 3060 for $130k, FM Acoustics FM1811 for similar doh, or a single Vitus MP-S201 for $102k, all of which have enormous power reserves like the Relentless.

I think until you have listened to all of these amps you cannot really compare on price alone.
 

Bodhi

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2014
1,051
361
155
The retail price of the Krell MRA was at the time 150,000 USD so Dan has « only » added 100,000.
I guess value is a relative term. $150k in 2003 money would be over $200k today. Does that make the Krell MR amps overpriced, or the Relentless amps good value?
 
Last edited:

RogerD

VIP/Donor
May 23, 2010
3,734
318
565
BiggestLittleCity
The transistors alone today would cost more than $3k for the Relentless pair.

I say follow your dream...every amplifier designer in the High End has his idea of the ultimate.

Two photos here of a designers idea of the ultimate amplifier.
But the problem is if one purchased the ultimate loom of PC’s and IC’s or extreme grounds the system and the total SQ improves.....what is the difference? Is it the amplifier that improved...certainly.

“D'Agostino emphasized the goal wasn't merely about brute force, his first priority was musicality, an amp that liberates the soul of music, and gives the listener goosebumps. Dynamics live and breathe over this amp, with the Wilson Audio Alexx speakers, my impression of the Relentless sound was that it's remarkably delicate and pure.”

Is there really anything new here? Or just a different approach that achieves the same result. EF7269C0-5D6A-46CD-9A3D-6A1FC758C172.png uu 3940CBF3-039C-4466-895F-9E082FD40DE0.png
 

Folsom

VIP/Donor
Oct 25, 2015
6,024
1,490
520
Eastern WA
I think it's best to keep in mind these are basically intended to go with the WAMM, which is a fairly impracticable speaker to begin IMO.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
(...) the WAMM, which is a fairly impracticable speaker to begin IMO.

Can I ask why you think so? Just for the price?
 

Folsom

VIP/Donor
Oct 25, 2015
6,024
1,490
520
Eastern WA
Price, size, and that I don't think it offers anything interesting (to me).
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing