Amp for Nautilus 805 - Krell KAV or Classe cap 101

Just hooked up a Kav300IL to my system last week, bypassin my Proceed AVP-S and Linar 250 but retaining the speakers, cables and source.
In one word, dissapointing.
I also use N804 and N805's and would NOT recommend this as an option. The source is a Sony S9000ES using Transparent reference XL IC's, Audioquest Python XLR from amp to preamp, and Transparent Plus Bi-Wires for speakers.
I have however, heard the kav300IL in a system with Vienna Accoustics Beethoven's that sounded very nice, but only at lower volumes.
Good luck.
Greg Swoboda

The Krell 300i sounds bright and hard with the N805 while the newer 300il sounds bland and grey, neither of which are suitable. The Classe CAP-151 should be a good match but I was once told by a Classe sales rep to not bother with the 101 becasue of it's low current power delivery. It is also worth looking at the Sim Audio i-3 and i-5 which work very well with B&W speakers.

for what it's worth I'm auditiopning a Krell TAS 200x5 with N802's for 2 channel, and N804's and HTM1 added for HT. I've found none of the harsh brightness others reference (using little ol' cobaltcable ultimate speaker cable...solid copper)and when I spoke to Krell and B&W they each foavorably referenced the other as showcase partners for the Nautilus and KAV lines...

Thanks for all your comments.
I guess Krell KAV might not be a good option.
I will have to go with a CAP, but I am not sure I can afford a 151.
Thanks again!

If you're happy with the Musical Fidelity sound, consider bi-amping as a cost-effective option that will maintain the system's sound. I had a pair of A3cr power amps controlled by the A3cr pre driving B&W 602. Though the 602 is clearly not in the same league as the 805, which I considered, the extra dynamic headroom from two amps made a wonderful difference. The the system had shattering dynamics. My experience suggests that B&W can eat a lot of clean power. I also found the MF - B&W pairing worked very well.

Though I have moved to other speakers, I now have the Krell KAV 300iL powering the stereo. The 602 are still sitting around, and I hooked them up to the Krell for kicks. I did not find the partnering objectionable, but I don't find Krell to sound bright, either.

It could be the case that you cannot drop a Krell amp into the system and judge immediately. The Krell's famous iron grip, high current, push-pull, fully balanced design further breaks in the moving elements of a speaker. After this second speaker break in completes, the pairing may sound better.

I have no experience with Classe products.