Krell vs Levinson vs Pass vs Rowland

I had a 334 in a complete Levinson line: 390 380s 334. Well...334 was replacing a Classe 200 and was I in for a big disappointment. At first I blamed the speakers then the cables but two months later I realized I have nothig left to blame so I sold all my Levinson gear starting with, you guessed, the 334.
You can talk all you want about bass control, imaging and soundstage if you don't have detail and dynamics, you have a dark, lifeless poweramp.
Krell is a much better option; It's almost the perfect amp that can fit in any system and drive any speakers.

I heard a rumor the 300 series Levinson amps are getting another upgrade soon. If so a "current" 334 owner will have to get the factory mod to "latest" status. This will be I believe $2000.00? I think that's what it cost the first time for the 333... Ask your dealer!

I'd go with Pass. Just my opinion...

Daniel

I own a krell fpb 200c I actually have it for sale on this site. Its a great amp in every way. But in my system I like the levinson better. It may be because I use a levinson 39 and I had a levinson 335 and sold it and bought the krell 200c. The levinson is more open and airy sounding compared to all above mentioned. They are all great amps. But your surrounding equipment will be the deciding factor. Also if your buying a krell it MUST be the cast version. There is a big diffrence between the fpb 200 and the fpb 200c and If anyone tells you diffrent they are lying to you to make a sale. Good luck

One more nomination for Pass or Rowland. I would lean towards Rowland, but not by too much. Levinson and Krell need to play catch-up.

I think I should clarify my system: The speakers I am running are power hungry Platinum Solos-these will not change. I have a temporary preamp (classe cp-35) which I intend on replacing with a tubed preamp such as a hovland hp-100, or sonic frontiers line 3. I also have a temporary cd player which I will replace probably with a levinson 39.

What I am doing is building my system from the speakers, then to the amp, then preamp and source. I want to make sure my amp will run well with tubed preamp, and I will tweak the system with cables etc to add warmth etc. I just want to make sure I have the best amp for those listed attributes. I feel I can always add warmth with tweaks. Thanks!!