Krell Illusions ii / Krell duo 300xd to a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated an upgrade?

@mm1tt77 In the last 2 years, I sold my CODA CSiB, CODA #8, Parasound A21+, KRELL K-300i integrated and kept my KRELL Dou 175XD. So similar path as you

I liked the KRELL Dou 175XD over all of the above, by a lot actually. Though I like my Benchmark AHB2 the most. These 2 are not similar at all.

Gryphon has a blurb on their web site saying that you need a massive chassis and heat to get REAL Class A. I think that is directed at KRELL. I laughed at that.

KEEP YOUR KRELL and save the cash over Gryphon.

BTW - even though I use my CODA 07x preamp with the KRELL Duo 175XD, and it is really good. I like my Benchmark LA4 preamp ($2500) + KRELL 175XD even more. The clarity and silence of the LA4 just works for me.

I get a new headphone amp this weekend, a RAAL vm-1a, and that amp will determine if I keep the CODA or Benchmark preamp with the KRELL Dou 175XD.

Thanks yyzsantabarbara - eery how similar our paths have been, similarities on what we’ve run for gear.

I love the Krell Amp - didn’t get a chance to compare the 300xd using the Krell Pre vs the CSiB as a pre with it.  My memory of the CSiB being used as a pre was I preferred it to the Krell but without being able to do a direct comparison, hard to tell if that would really be the case.  Called Coda and asked about the differences I would hear, jumping to the 07x - they said minimal if I was using the XLR inputs, that said, the 300xd sounds to my ears better using the XLR inputs - seems to be designed that way, had to use the rca output / inputs when I was using the CSiB as a pre.  
 

Have you tried any other Pre’s with the 175xd?  I’m toying with trying a tube pre but tougher to find balanced tube pre’s - some have them but not as common on tube gear. 

Audiotroy - thanks for the comments and recommendations - I’m in the North East, I’ll give you a call to talk through some options on a streamer / server.  
 

thanks, 

@mm1tt77 I tried a Schitt Freya+ (XLR) but I am not sure if it was hooked up to the KRELL. It worked nicely with the AHB2. I believe I tried the Freya+ with the CODA #8. I sold the Freya+ but I thought it was a very good preamp but I realized tubes in the pre are not for me.

I also tried a Topping pre90 ($700) on my Parasound 21+ and Benchmark AHB2. It sounds like the LA4 with ONLY those 2 amps (so good). With many other amps I tried the pre90 with, I hated the volume which was too loud and lacked granularity. There is a review in Stereophile on this unit. That preamp may work on the KRELL since the LA4 works so nicely on the KRELL. Something to try for a relatively low cost.

I find the CODA separates a jump up from the CSIB. My CSiB was from 2019 so not the latest design from 2020. I was relucent selling the CODA #8 but this new headphone amp I am getting will be replacing the CODA #8 and it is better suited for the headphones. The second best amp I have heard on the headphones is the KRELL 175XD, I actually got the KRELL just for the headphones and had my CODA #8 on my speakers, Thiel CS3.7. However, after some experiments the KRELL went to my speakers and the others sold. I am very happy long term with my gear now.