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Impressions of the Latest in Electronics from Dan D'Agostino

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  • Impressions of the Latest in Electronics from Dan D'Agostino

    Could Dan D'Agostino--one of now the grandfathers of the high-end audio industry--reinvent himself after the hostile takeover and painful loss of Krell? Could Dan reach down within himself after all those years with Krell and one again find the energy, creativeness and even money to roll up his sleeves and start a new company from scratch? Could he at the same time come up with new designs and not just copy what he had been doing at Krell? The answer to that has been a resounding yes in my estimation. Dan's new electronics, in part the Progression and Momentum amplifiers, bear no resemblance to his earlier work. Part of that was as his late son Bret expressed in an interview I did with him a while back, that the two of them sat down and listened to and totally re-evaluated all the amplifiers on the market before Dan began designing new products.

    That certainly seems like it was time well spent. While the first generation of Momentum amplifiers definitely had Dan's signature on them, the newest iteration of his amplifiers have taken a huge step forward. What really impressed me when I heard D amplifiers the other weekend, just how low in distortion and clean sounding the Progression and Momentum amps sounded on the Wilsons. The amplifiers are just so low in coloration. Mind you, the Wilsons aren't necessarily the easiest speakers or load to drive. There was a grip and authority on the music that went way beyond anything Dan did previously. And it seems in the latest iteration of the Momentums, even less of that Krell solid-state edge. The newest amplifiers just just seem to loaf along. In might be added, a relatively small package for a non-Class D power amplifier.

    These amplifiers have impressed me mightily and while not a cheap date are arguably the best solid-state has to offer nowadays.
    Click image for larger version  Name:	3841798b-ad61-4c76-85c0-0084c1ff6004.png Views:	1 Size:	151.2 KB ID:	42640





    Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
    Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
    ________________________________________

    -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
    -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
    -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
    -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
    -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
    -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
    -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
    -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
    -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
    -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

  • #2
    god knows I've given Dan plenty of my money during the late 80s and early 90s, it probably helped him acquire that summer home of his the very first series which were fan cooled were kinda 'cool' sounding and a touch dry. krell had its haters, many thought the were on the bright side I never thought so. I always had them powering ribbons and 'stats, both of which had a smooth or gentle treble.

    in a recent interview he states his preference for bipolar SS devices from his earliest Krell years to present day. because bipolars are current devices he admits his designs typically require many more voltage gain stages than a FET based design would. I wonder how much this design philosophy contributes to the Dan D'Agostino 'house sound' if you will.

    Comment


    • #3
      I'd love to give him my money. Those amps are just gorgeous!
      Dynavector DV20x2L MC cartridge - Genesis G7.1f speakers - Marantz Reference PM-KI-Pearl Int. Amp. - Oracle Audio Paris MkV turntable - Various Morrow & Valab/King cables

      Comment


      • #4
        I ha w owned Krell most of my life with my IRS v setup many many years. Sold them a kit two years ago using the poor mans krells Aragon's
        i heard his Amps a few times a real great sounding amp that seemed to get you close to being there in presentation
        I have not heard his new ones but I can say looks they are a 12 best lookijg amp I even seen mono , preamp and all.
        Onky negetinve is the hockey puck remote lol. Round buttons like Krell clearly show you his claim to Krell.
        If things were a bit different for me I would love those next to each tower. What is the new ones called do they look the same ?
        analog stuff.
        otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 made new by soren
        otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 1/2 combo made new by soren
        sota sapphire used eminent tech ver 2 arm
        new sota nova table has magnetic levitation platter and full speed control and latest motor same arm as above
        thorens td124 sme ver 2 arm
        thorens td125 sme ver 2 arm
        kenwood direct drive sme ver 2 arm
        phono preamp Ml no 25 all re capped
        speakers cust infinity IRS V , new caps and LPS , magnets etc.
        mark levivson pre no 26 amps no 33
        digital three cust servers , win ser 2016 , AO
        Dacs lampi various

        Comment


        • #5
          Does he use onky npn or pnp onky I forget witch one sounds better ?
          analog stuff.
          otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 made new by soren
          otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 1/2 combo made new by soren
          sota sapphire used eminent tech ver 2 arm
          new sota nova table has magnetic levitation platter and full speed control and latest motor same arm as above
          thorens td124 sme ver 2 arm
          thorens td125 sme ver 2 arm
          kenwood direct drive sme ver 2 arm
          phono preamp Ml no 25 all re capped
          speakers cust infinity IRS V , new caps and LPS , magnets etc.
          mark levivson pre no 26 amps no 33
          digital three cust servers , win ser 2016 , AO
          Dacs lampi various

          Comment


          • #6
            I happened to be in a coffee shop about 1 mile or so from my house in Arizona, looked across the parking lot and saw Dan D'Ag"s name above a group of small stores. I looked inside, and sure enough, there he was with his wife and 3 or 4 others building his expensive boxes. He took me around the place for a look see....very nice. No listening, but that's ok - I'm an Ayre guy anyway.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Rob
              I wonder how much this design philosophy contributes to the Dan D'Agostino 'house sound' if you will.
              I don't think D'ag is anything like a Krell. Someone I know who was a diehard Krell Evo fan swapped over to the Momentums on his Alexandria X2S2 and likes them much more - they are the best amps I have heard on the Alexandria (heard the Spectral 400 and VTL S450 on the XLF, and Lamm and Viva on X2S2). The thing is that the Viva guy preferred the Krell Evo to Momentums on his X2S2 and went with the Viva (Solista, 845s and 20w). Having heard the FPB 600 and FPB 650 with 750 upgrades, I could not identify any 'house sound', but can't be sure. The Momentums are superb.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by bonzo75

                I don't think D'ag is anything like a Krell. Someone I know who was a diehard Krell Evo fan swapped over to the Momentums on his Alexandria X2S2 and likes them much more - they are the best amps I have heard on the Alexandria (heard the Spectral 400 and VTL S450 on the XLF, and Lamm and Viva on X2S2). The thing is that the Viva guy preferred the Krell Evo to Momentums on his X2S2 and went with the Viva (Solista, 845s and 20w). Having heard the FPB 600 and FPB 650 with 750 upgrades, I could not identify any 'house sound', but can't be sure. The Momentums are superb.
                There definitely seems to be a synergy between Dan's amplifier and the Wilson speakers.
                Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                ________________________________________

                -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
                -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                Comment


                • #9
                  I think all Amps have a sound meaning a varying wire with gain sound
                  I think the sound varies with each speaker it's conceited too making things a moving target to pick from. Lastly what we like further confuses things. His Amps must be of the best made past and present and for looks no one can touch them.
                  A good question to ask in this is how much does looks play into our hearing them lol.
                  analog stuff.
                  otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 made new by soren
                  otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 1/2 combo made new by soren
                  sota sapphire used eminent tech ver 2 arm
                  new sota nova table has magnetic levitation platter and full speed control and latest motor same arm as above
                  thorens td124 sme ver 2 arm
                  thorens td125 sme ver 2 arm
                  kenwood direct drive sme ver 2 arm
                  phono preamp Ml no 25 all re capped
                  speakers cust infinity IRS V , new caps and LPS , magnets etc.
                  mark levivson pre no 26 amps no 33
                  digital three cust servers , win ser 2016 , AO
                  Dacs lampi various

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    My old krells I felt shouted at times but more likely the source then them we never do know sometimes what is causing what that happens. But many here have much more experience then I do may have a better understanding then I do.
                    analog stuff.
                    otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 made new by soren
                    otari mtr 10 2 track 1/4 1/2 combo made new by soren
                    sota sapphire used eminent tech ver 2 arm
                    new sota nova table has magnetic levitation platter and full speed control and latest motor same arm as above
                    thorens td124 sme ver 2 arm
                    thorens td125 sme ver 2 arm
                    kenwood direct drive sme ver 2 arm
                    phono preamp Ml no 25 all re capped
                    speakers cust infinity IRS V , new caps and LPS , magnets etc.
                    mark levivson pre no 26 amps no 33
                    digital three cust servers , win ser 2016 , AO
                    Dacs lampi various

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Alrainbow
                      I think all Amps have a sound meaning a varying wire with gain sound
                      I think the sound varies with each speaker it's conceited too making things a moving target to pick from. Lastly what we like further confuses things. His Amps must be of the best made past and present and for looks no one can touch them.
                      A good question to ask in this is how much does looks play into our hearing them lol.
                      Good question. I think Dan's amplifiers look Great. I wouldn't put them in the eye candy category though others might. Something like say Jeff Rowland's amplifiers might sway me say. To me looks are a bonus, but necessary for high-end audio to break into the mainstream.
                      Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                      Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                      ________________________________________

                      -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                      -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                      -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                      -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                      -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                      -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                      -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
                      -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                      -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                      -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                      Comment


                      • Johnny Vinyl
                        Johnny Vinyl commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Don't ban me for this, but I think those patterned striped faceplates on the Jeff Rowland gear is hideous. They sound good, but I wouldn't buy one.

                    • #12
                      Originally posted by Alrainbow
                      I ha w owned Krell most of my life with my IRS v setup many many years. Sold them a kit two years ago using the poor mans krells Aragon's
                      i heard his Amps a few times a real great sounding amp that seemed to get you close to being there in presentation
                      I have not heard his new ones but I can say looks they are a 12 best lookijg amp I even seen mono , preamp and all.
                      Onky negetinve is the hockey puck remote lol. Round buttons like Krell clearly show you his claim to Krell.
                      If things were a bit different for me I would love those next to each tower. What is the new ones called do they look the same ?
                      Two lines below the Momentum amps. The Master Power and the Progression. Not as jewel like as far as looks go, but both extremely good looking to me. The progressions are beasts. 500/1000/2000 wpc for the monos. Less $$$ than the Momentum. To my ears, his amps are top two or three SS amps made.
                      SOURCE: VINYL - EAT C-Sharp with, EAT LPS power supply, My Sonic Lab Signature Gold
                      DIGITAL - Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. Roon Nucleus w/EAT Lps power supply. Auralic Aires G1
                      PHONOSTAGE: AudioNet PAM G2 with AudioNet EPX power supply.
                      PREAMP: Audionet PRE G2.
                      AMPLIFIER: Audionet MAX monoblocks.
                      SPEAKERS: YG Acoustics Anat III Signatures (upgraded to Sonja 1.2) JL Audio F112 V2 (x2)
                      CABLES: Kubala-Sosna, Kubala Sosna Xpander.....Audio Desk Systeme RCM, Adona Rack, GIK & Acoustimac room treatment, Isoacoustics

                      Comment


                      • #13
                        Originally posted by tom_hankins

                        Two lines below the Momentum amps. The Master Power and the Progression. Not as jewel like as far as looks go, but both extremely good looking to me. The progressions are beasts. 500/1000/2000 wpc for the monos. Less $$$ than the Momentum. To my ears, his amps are top two or three SS amps made.
                        Just like in the past too. Dan's amplifiers are ready made for those hard to drive speakers. That seems to be many today unlike just the Apogees say of yore.
                        Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                        Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                        ________________________________________

                        -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                        -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                        -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                        -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                        -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                        -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                        -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
                        -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                        -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                        -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                        Comment


                        • #14
                          Bonzo what are the 750 upgrades to the FPB650?

                          Comment


                          • #15
                            Originally posted by jeffy
                            Bonzo what are the 750 upgrades to the FPB650?
                            Hi I don't know the details, but Audiophile Bill on WBF, a local to me in London, had bought Krell 650s which were fully upgraded to 750s by a rebuild of parts

                            Comment

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