Musicality and flexibility (rock, classical, jazz, home theater)

Very heavy and oversized - won't fit in a traditional rack

I can't add much to the glowing reviews that have come before mine. I use this in four channel mode (I use phantom mode for the center channel), though I mainly listen to stereo. This is a powerful, yet controlled and very musical amp. If you love music but also have a home theater, this amp is not a compromise. It is simply the best choice for either mode.

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Classe Muse

Excellent dynamics and soundstage.Is liquid,wide,open,detailed smooth and relaxed.Ultra musical,and transparent without being over-analytical.The Best choice for serious listeners and experienced audiophiles.A real surprise for the music lovers.It is most honest amplifier I have heard .Regarding the price?If the Dreadnaught was 3-4 times more expensive I would also like to buy it. The 4 channel version I have is strongly recommended for passive bi-amplification.You will hear any high quality speaker to sound much better in comparison to the normal 2 channel configuration.If I had an easier load as many other speaker have I could use a 2 channel Dreadnaught.

Please believe me ,NONE

I use the Theta DREADNAUGHT the excellent power amplifier in 4 channel configuration to bi-amp my hughe B&W 800 Matrix speakers.Is the Best power amp I have heard during the 25 years I am in High End! The preamp of my system is the Synergy Preamp from Jeff Rowland,the turntable is the Aure/kuzma reference/VdH The Frog,all cables from Cardas.

Excellent speaker driving capability, balanced sound, big sound-stage, very musical, transparent and detailed without being over-analytical

takes more than average floor space and occasionally suffers from mild trafo hum

I bought the 2-channel Dreadnaught to replace my 2x50W Class A baby Krell KSA 50S in my main system, which includes Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage speakers (see review), Theta digital front end, Krell KRC-3 pre-amp and Nirvana SL and SX-Ltd internonnects (speaker cable is Transparent Music Wave Super Biwire). The Guarneris performed quite well with the little Krell, but needed more juice. I bought the amp without ever having auditioned it, simply based on a dozen or so rave reviews (under the old, tried and trusted motto "if Ken Kessler likes it it must be OK" - see the other elements of my system) and, of course, the invaluable advice of my dealer, which proves once again that at this level (mid high-endish)it is essential to work with a patient and knowledgeable dealer,who knows your system, your tastes and, ideally, the shape and character of your listening space. I join the growing group of people below and the international p)ress in singing the praises of this amazing amplifier. I don't use it for hometheatre, yet (additional modules have been ordered), but just for simple stereo music listening. With the Dreadnaught in the driver's seat, the speakers sounded immediately bigger without losing any of the detail I had before with Krell. This is a very balanced amplifier that delivers all the goods without unnaturally emphasising certain parts of the musical spectrum. It is not your razor sharp clinically analytical amplifier, but, if that is not your prime interest anyway, this big (and fairly heavy) boy delivers all the goods one should extect from a 250W solid state amplifier. I heard several other amplifiers afterwards, including FPB 300Cx-es from Krell, but I never felt any frustration returning to the Dreadnaught. I am not only going to keep this sweet monster, I am actually going to stuff another couple of modules in and add a few speakers on my way to the multi-channel experience.

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Krell KSA series amps, FPB series, KAV series.

build quality, SOUND!!

Heavy as h...

This is the best sounding 5 channel amp I have heard to date, PERIOD!! I am a Pro installer, and let me tell you, Krell, proceed, Bryston, Parasound, Linn, ATI, ETC.. Dont even compare! All I have to say is, LIQUID smooth, but with all the detail. Listen to one if your in the market.

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All of the above

Excellent dynamics, sound is easy and pleasing. Soundstange is dead on. Wide open almost tube like w/o drawbacks. I love the fact that the toggle switch lets you turn off surrounds when listening to Stereo. NO HISS IN SUrrounds! ALL or most multi chanl amps do not feature this switch off capable.

I thought it would be louder! My speakers mate well, but crave more power. Are we ever happy?

Simply put, unbeatable for price. I have the 7 channel 200wattX3 100Wx4. The performance more than meets my expectations. Used w/ Lexicon MC12 balanced Maggies 3.6r MCC2 (the new one) Rel Stadium 3 Sony 900v transport MIT bal cable most Monster 1000 See system on page 30 of exoticaudio.org

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Classe CAM 350 (my dream but for 7K?) VTL Sig 450 monoblocks (another dream) MK, B&K, Classe smaller amps, Proceed, Nakamichi pa7I, Adcom monoblocks etc. NOTHING came close for value vs performance

Fast, sweet, open, good soundstaging

micro-dynamics can be better

I have auditioned the Theta with Krell Kav-250a as well as ARC D100.2 The former offers more control and dynamics but a bit bright and the sound is a bit too hard. I use a pair of ATC 20T but was using a B&W 804N in the demo. As the ATC is very forward sounding, using the Krell with ATC would definitely be VERY forward and bright, for my set-up.
The D100.2 offers more refinement but lacks the dynamics. The Theta is in-between in terms of these qualities. Smooth and sweet treble, not bright, a bit more refine than the Krell. Somehow I miss the Krell's control and the dynamics. But in terms of priority, I choose the Theta for its smoothness and sweetness. Resolution is very good as well, at least as good as the 2 mentioned power amps. I use it in stereo mode only and drive it with ARC LS-16. The current-hungry ATCs now sound brilliant: detail but not forward sounding, and with a huge soundstage. Judging from the price/performance ratio, all 3 amps offer different strengths and weaknesses. Considering you need to spend a lot more for the next level of performance (close to double the price), I think the Theta is really value for money, not to mention that you can add more modules to bi-amp the speakers. Also, the design asthetics (those curves) are just great.

Similar Products Used:

Krell Kav-250a, ARC D100.2

smooth; detail; low noise floor; soundstage; non-fatiguing; wonderful for bi-amping

none

What can I say? Phenomenal amplifier. I do home theater and 2-channel in the same system (using an Audio Research tube preamp w processor bypass), and this amp can do it all brilliantly. My speakers are 5 Totem Mani-2's, and I am using 4 channels of the Dread to bi-amp the front main left and rights. At 4 ohms, the Dread puts out 400 watts of smooth clean Theta power (x2 w the bi-amp) into the power-hungry Mani-2's. Only problem is- now have to save up for another Dreadnaught! -will eventually will run 2 Dreads w all 10 channels at 400w into 4 ohms bi-amping the 5 Mani-2 speakers. Expensive- but worth it. Home theater doesn't get any better... for 2-channel, add a good tube preamp, execllent cabling, and you're done! Enjoy- you will NOT be disappointed- congrats to Theta for such an achievement.

Clean Bi-amping power. Warm sound like that of a hi-end tube amp. It's a Theta!

Only it's weight, ~100Lbs of metal.

I'm a big fan of muscle cars and true sports cars. The Dreadnaught wound be the new Viper GTS Coupe. Clealy, it's the best in it's class. Great amps are heavy.

I demo-ed it with 2 B&W 801 + Conrad-Johnson solid state / tube CD player + Conrad-Johnson preamp and the Theta Digital Dreadnaught.

WOW, just about covers it. This is from someone who loves Ohms Walsh 5 powered by Conrad-Johnson P. 11.

"You must hear it for your self"

I think it can even stand up to the Krell Master Reference
@ $120K. For the same price got two B&W 801, a nice CD player, a nice preamp, the 5 channel verion of the Theta Digital Dreadnaught, and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupé.

Clean, liquid sound

Runs hot

Agree with other owners. Wonderful amp with excellent characteristics. Only "problem" is that it runs hot in a rack mounted setting. Had a custom cooling system put in and it solved the problem. Using it with a Lexicon MC12 front end. Highly recommended!

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Krell, Sunfire, BAT

Appearance, Build Quality, Tremendous sound quality

None

After purchasing a complete Legacy Manhatten system, with four Empires, two LF Extreme subs, two center Broadway and two skylines for side speakers, I tested alot of various amps and processors to find the best electronics for these very revealing speakers. There are some nice five channel amps on the market, but I was very disappointed using them for 2 channel listening. The Theta is better than any high quality 2 channel amp. It is fast, dynamic, and yet has a warmth to it's sound that I have not heard in more expensive amps. Anyone searching for the very best five channel amp built, owes it to themself to listen to the Theta Drednaught

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Classe, Krell, Proceed, CinePro