Krell Amps and Pre-amps

I have always liked PS Audio, they aren't flashy but they do a great job. I haven't heard their recent amps but I have great respect for their P plants. But one comment here: Any amp (or other component) that really needs a P plant is showing you that it doesn't have a good enough power supply section to start with, and this is unfortunately very common (although very good for PS Audio's sales!). In other words, the designer skimped on transformer size/quality and/or power supply filtering, so now you need a separate and expensive unit just to improve on the performance of the original power supply. It's vastly more cost-effective (and space-saving, and energy-saving) to do it right in the first place than it is to have to add an expensive power conditioner. Hence my preference for amps which are designed with high-quality, properly filtered power supplies in the first place, e.g., Ayre. The power supply is perhaps the most important part of a power amp, and it gets way too little attention by most manufacturers, probably mainly because it is also the most expensive part to do right.

As a former amp builder and now power supply designer, I agree 110% with Karls above. If you need power conditioners, you need to find better amps. Go for McIntosh and the others that design good power supplies from the start.

I have to disagree with the statements that "The designer skimped on transformer size/quality and/or power supply filtering, so now you need a separate and expensive unit just to improve on the performance of the original power supply." from Karls and "If you need power conditioners, you need to find better amps. Go for McIntosh and the others that design good power supplies from the start" from Aball. I really don't think there is a problem with the design or quality of the KSA-300S. I don't think Krell is perfect by any means, but I don't think they were far off or skimped anywhere. But there is relevence of taking the wall current and converting it like the power plants do and making a much cleaner and stable current. I would bet you'll hear it on very revealing components (McIntosh, etc.).

Well, one reason I said what I said is because I have witnessed it with my own ears. I had a perpetual ground hum with the Krells, although slight and you had to get close to the speaker to hear it, but it vanished when I got the McIntosh amps. Before selling the Krells, I tried rewiring the outlet and it would not go away so maybe they were doing it(?).

I also want to point out that when I said "go for McIntosh et al." I was not ruling out Krell entirely. Perhaps the models I had were not up to par or something. I have heard other Krell systems that sounded very good and so I am sure some of their amps/systems are fully worthy of their high praise. I did afterall love them for a few years.

I will say that my only disappointment with the McIntoshes is the fact that they ARE so revealing. Some of my not-so-good recordings do not sound great. However, play a well recorded CD and feel chills come over you. Love it.
Arthur

Hi Simancd, I don't know if you are planning on buying used or new. If you are going to buy new, there shouldn't be a dealer that won't loan you amps to try out in your home. If you are buying used, you take your chances.
My experience is the opposite of Karls concerning the Levinson. I always thought it a bit dark. a little forgiving and not the best in dynamics. Probably one of those system things.
I have to agree with half of what Kre111 said in his second post. Also, I am not sure what Krell you are talking about. I have not liked Krell in the Past. I understand from a very good source that their new stuff is quite good.
Get dedicated lines, good PCs for your amps, and I mean no offence to any PS PP owners, but I think the new lines and PCs will do much more for your sound.
Simoncd, please invest in dedicated lines and PCs. This will be much cheaper than thousands of $$$ wasted on things not needed. Sometimes the search is half the fun.
I wish you the best in your search.