[1stArmorvet]

I have Linn Keilidhs and want to replace my aging HK PA5800 for at the front two channels and perhaps all 3 front stage ch's. I have been reading that Acurus is bright and forward. I have ceramic tweeters and dont want to get something that might be ear piercing. I have a Sony NS900 dvd\\SACD and EAD processor. Will this be a possible good match? ANy other high current amp suggestions in the $400 price range? thanks

 

[1stArmorvet]

No love for Acurus or Linn?

 

[AcuraCL]

I don't know where you are reading that Acurus is bright ... probably from someone who wants you to buy something else.


I have had a 200x3 and A80 powering my Dynaudio Contours for about 6 or 7 years. Acurus amps are about as perfectly neutral as you can get. Believe me, if an amp were bright, Dynaudios would reveal it. And I am particularly sensitive to the frequencies that entail "bright."


Now, on badly engineered CDs/DVDs, Acurus will give you exactly what is there ... muddy if muddy, screechy if screechy.


They are some of the finest amps for the dollar ever made.

 

[1stArmorvet]

Thanks so much for the reply AcuraCL (How bout that new TL huh?) NOw thats something...both an Acurus & Acura owner...cool. I am looking to buy this amp and was hoping my friends on here would help me steer in the right direction. I was starting to lean towards the Parasound 1200MKII (205wx2) since it is high current and all that although i would only have 2 channels but really like the idea of my center having an boost too since its very demanding in HT. Any other recommendations?

 

[AcuraCL]

Hey Vet -- If you think your Linns are at all bright then the Acurus amp might not be the best match .... Parasound has always had a rep for being a little more warm. I think Rotel is laid back too, and I have a NAD unit that is very gentle with highs. Those are about the only amps I've heard myself.


Maybe folks call Acurus bright when compared with Aragon, their more expensive (former) big brother. I never found them to be so, but like I said if the source material is screechy then the Acurus is going to throw every bit of that screech right at you. I just try to turn the bad stuff down. When the material is recorded right, you can't beat them.


EAD is a Brit manufacturer, yes? If so it's not likely that it will add any brightness to the mix.


My Dynaudios are nominal 4 ohm speakers too. Are you looking at the 200 watt 3-channel? I know they have made 80w, 100w, 150w, 200w, and 250w, 2 and 3 channels in different configs.

 

[1stArmorvet]

Thanks Acurus, no the EAD is an American Company and afik all American who make some of the best gear around that compete with the big boys (Krell, Meridian, Theta, Classe ect). I just been reading too many reviews I guess. Thats the thing sometime too much info can be a bad thing when trying to make a purchase. Appreciate the insight about Acurus though. They look great and the build is awesome from what I can see from images. If the A100x3 can get me better music and HT performance then I'll be happy.

 

[dave7]

Is Acurus still in business?


This link caught my attention as I have just taken in an Acurus Amp (200x3) on loan while my amp is getting worked on. I had never heard of Acurus before, and I am only using two channels of this amp, but I am impressed. I am driving current hungry 4 ohm Legacy Focus 20/20 mains with it, and although the bottom end is not as strong as what I am used to, this little sucker really delivers.


PM me if anyone wants me to inquire if it is for sale. The guy I am borrowing it from has an A/V installation business, and this amp was just sitting around so he lent it to me to keep me up and running while I have my amp worked on and updated.


I am going to go listen to some tunes now to see what it can do.

 

[1stArmorvet]

Hello dave7, be sure and let us know what you find out after you put it through its paces. If it can drive power hungry speakers like the Focus, I am sure the 100x3 can drive my Linn's pretty well. Still thinking though...looking for more of a push..come on guys..

 

[burtlively]

acurus is the "little" brother of aragon. mondial manufactured and marketed both lines until they were bought out by klipsch a few years back. klipsch made the decision to drop the acurus line and continue aragon. i own the acurus 125x5 and the 150x2. i have owned the 150x2 for close to ten years. these amps are beasts! the power supplies are enormous and they will go as loud or as soft as you want. they will push efficient and non efficient speakers. they will reveal the good and the bad in recordings, so make sure your source material is good. i agree with the aforementioned comment that these amplifiers could be one of the better values in audio.

 

[1stArmorvet]

burt, do you know what your 125x5 tested measurements are with all channels driver? This will give me some idea what I can expect from the A100x3. Are these considered high current amps?

 

[thebland]

In this genre of equipment were some great values...The Keilidh's were one and so, to a lesser extent was Acurus. The Acurus line, as you dutifully researched, are bright in nature.

Acurus amps are bright....More so than the Aragon 4004 mk II and 8008. Having auditioned the Acurus 3 channel 10 or more years ago, I bought the 4004 (and later, the 8008 X3).

It was the bright 'quality' that eventually led me to sell them.

For you, and staying in that genre, the Proceed AMP 2 or AMP 3 would be an excellent match for the Keilidhs. Powerful, subdued and accurate. The newer BPA series would also suffice.


Skip the Acurus, not the best choice for your Linns.....My buddy has your speakers using a Linn Klout. Now there's an even better choice than the Proceed.


Are your Keilidh's 'Activ'? If not, that is your best upgrade ( but you'll need more amp channels )..

 

[AcuraCL]

*shrugging*


I believe what I hear every day ... for years and years. If someone finds Acurus bright, it's because there is something else in the chain that is bright ... something that is actually oh, I dunno, actually influential, like speakers or processor.


I'd love to see some of the golden ears take that $10k amplifier challenge that was resuscitated a few weeks ago.

 

[thebland]

Acura,


Either you own an Acurus (Acura / Acurus?) or you've never read a review....


The bright sound of the Acurus line is well documented in the A/V literature (see Stereophile). I auditioned one and confirmed it.


Away from me, the reviewer has a reference system he 'knows' and anything new in his chain (review piece) allows him to explore characteristics of that review piece in the context of his 'known' reference system....


All equipment has it's own audible characteristics....that's why there is no 'best' or 'perfect' but characteristics that define a given componet..

 

[AcuraCL]

Would that be the same Stereophile that loves the warm sweet sound of vinyl and tubes? ... that reviews cables and stones?....


Doesn't really interest me, what they say. Though I do vaguely remember, when I bought my amplifiers, that they WERE on the S'phile recommended list (and not under "bright amps.")


I'd like to see a reviewer take the $10k amplifier challenge. Or you.

 

[dave7]

Easy does it guys.


This is supposed to be fun...remember.


There is no right answer. Everyone hears things differently, has different opinions, different preferences.


This is a never-ending argument for both of you.

 

[AcuraCL]

Quote:

Originally posted by dave7 Easy does it guys. This is supposed to be fun...remember. There is no right answer. Everyone hears things differently, has different opinions, different preferences. This is a never-ending argument for both of you.

Hi Dave -- just some healthy debate, that's all Can't debate be fun?


BTW, this is the first time I've ever discussed this amp ....

 

[dave7]

That's cool then.


Yes...debate can be fun.


I am good at debate - not to be confused with good at winning debate.

 

[1stArmorvet]

I appreciate chiming in guys, debates are educational for me esp. on this one. I was afraid of matching an amp with my ceramic tweeters that would be on the shrill side. I would imagine that another speaker type would benefit from this characteristic. bland, I know that those Linn amps are special and do I wish I had them all aktiv but thats another ball game altogether, $$ and space.. Maybe thats why Klipsch decided to drop Acurus? Because it wouldnt match with their speakers as well as Aragon? Hmm..I dunno. I think I will look at Rotel and Parasound. Linn amps are outta reach for now.