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Old Krell vs new Krell amps...

Hello,
I actually have to choose between differents Krell amps, for roughly the same price :
a pair of Krell Audio Standard (KAS)
a Krell Evo 302
and for half the price a pair of KAS-2 amps

How do they compare, in terms of sound ?
The KAS is a legend, but is it actually still a good choice ? Its fiability is good ? The KAS is really better than the KAS-2 ?
And, what about the new Evo amps ? Are they better than the KAS or the FPB amps ?
My speakers are easy to drive : Tannoy GRF, but I may swap to big TAD or JBL...
I can't compare those amps directly because they are sold in different(and very far from each others) shops.
Thanks a lot for all informations and advices.
Best Regards,
nico_g
breuninger
101 posts
 
I have to disagree with upgrade 1394, the KSA 250, KSA 200, and The KMA amps 160/400s are not at all grainy--they are very very refined and open. These all run pure class A. They have the big fins, run hot, and are very desireable on the collector market. When you think "macho" amps these are what come to mind. The KSA 150 and KSA 200s were later amps and perhaps were not 100% class A. I'm not 100% sure but I've heard others say the KSA S-series amps were the "whitest" of the Krells. BTW-- I've never heard a grainy Krell amp. I don't think that's a term "I" would ever use for Krell, that's just me though.

Peter
egay's avatar
egay
18 posts
 
Hello Nico_g,
in my recollection, the Tannoys and the JBLs are really easy to drive, thus, some buddies here in Manila drive them with low-powered SETs with finesse.

IMHO, the Krells are the epitome of solidstate amps that are really "SOLID STATE". i am currently using my FPB 200c to drive my Sonus Fabers becaue my SF Power 2 just can't seem to cut it :-(

I think, too, that the FPBs are more desireable than the KAS or the newer EVOs but this is a matter of taste and personal biases.

If you can, please give them a listen in your own venue and then decide.

Best wishes in your quest!
.e.
nico_g OP
35 posts
 
Thanks again for all the answers.
I will try to compare the KAS to my actual amp : GamuT D2 mkIII.
Then I will go to the other store and compare the D200 with the EVO 302...
microstrip
180 posts
 
I agree with Breuninger - the old Krells were not at all grainy. It is true that they can sound grainy in two situations: either when they are cold - they need more than one hour heating before sounding "liquid" - and when the electrolytic capacitors have to be replaced. You can expect that a 15 years old amplifier that runs very hot needs new capacitors. They are not expensive and you can have them replaced with better 105ºC ones - you will have an excellent amplifier for the next 10 years!
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,486 posts
 
I owned and enjoyed the Krell KSA 250 Amp for several years. I finally replaced it with the Pass Labs X350.5.
The Pass is much better in all things that matter.
The Krell was very good for its time.
Both run very hot, the Krell is the winner in this regard.
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