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Krell questions and comments


Hi folks:

Krell is one those love it or hate it products. As a longtime tube person they are very far from my favorite form of amplification.

However, I do feel that the company's build quality and committment to making technological strides in solid state is as important as many other firms whose solid state products I feel sound much better. I have always wanted to share with you my views about the solid state jungle even though tubes are clearly superior to my ear.

The best solid state amps I've heard in terms of sonic performance are from Musical Fidelity, Pass, the new iteration of Threshold and Krell last. Each different. Each presenting it's own interpretations of music and the vision of the designers who build them.

Krell is amplifier on steroids. I've always found the sound to be full of energy and speed at everything thrown at them. Each recording is presented like running a 40 yard dash rather than the "marathon" of listening over a long period. To put it another way: Krell presents a sonic picture that is like a jolt of sugar through your body that gives you energy amd enjoyment but only for a short time. When it wears off you are left with a grating and very fatiquing sound that doesn't discriminate, the way that the best tube amplifiers do, between the minut and large differences between recordings harmonics and low level energy, midrange richness and bass that is congruent with the rest of the music and not so energetic as to supersede the rest of the audio band.

Can I tolerate Krell's sound and like it over short periods of listening? Yes! Would I welcome an example as a solid state companion to have within an audio system? Yes to that as well. Which leads to my question; Do the older Krell amplifiers have something over the newer in terms of sound such as the KSA-100 etc? Any views on how the sound has evolved from then? I have only heard recent technology.

As always thanks for reading.

D.H.
danhirsh
tok20000's avatar
tok20000
608 posts
 
I am not a huge fan of Krell amps... But I do think the KRC-HR preamp is one of the most transparent solid state preamplifiers I have yet heard. It really works well with a tube dac feeding it by letting the tubes really shine magically through it sonically. Krells reference phono is also a diamond in the rough of solid state phono. The KRC-HR + Krell's Reference Phono is a killer combo.

KF
star_sound_tech
1 posts
 
This thread is sure to elicit some very polarized comments.

Personally, I think that Krell has shown that it has a fairly good number of supporters and customers. These people bought the products and like them. Krell has a certain sound to it, and some will like it and some won't. However, I do think that it is a quality product that is held in considerable esteem by many audiophiles. Nothing will appeal to everyone, and Krell has a market share that is enviable to many smaller electronics makers. This shows that there is a demand for the Krell products, and it is a pretty strong demand.

As a tube guy myself, I am not going to run out and buy a Krell tomorrow. But there are many people who would. Krell has succeeded in marketing its product to the kinds of listeners who want that sound. It is a successful company. Whether you like the Krell sound or not, you can't argue that Krell has not been a force in the audiophile arena, and has done well. For these Krell customers, this sound may just be exactly what they want. Just because it may not be the exact sound that many tube guys want, does not mean that it isn't a good product.

Krell is filling a market need, and is doing it rather successfully.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Well, I get out and about for a good listen every now and then. I never hear anything that makes my jaw drop and want to sell off my old Ksa-250. Would I trade it in on a new Krell/Pass amp, not the models in it's power range..the price difference does not equal any or at least very little upgrade to my ear. I had mine brought up to spec. about two years ago and was told by Krell that I should be good for another 10 years. Maybe as the new digital amps come into play more in the future things will change for many of us, who knows.

Dave
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
I have owned several big Krell amps over the last dozen years, and the newer ones have ALWAYS surpassed the replace units.

Not only are they built like tanks, and sound fantastic, but the service by the Krell staff is exceptional.

Richard
PS. And yes, tok2000, the KRC-HR is one fabulous preamp!
huntermusic
76 posts
 
I am listening to a Krell 400cx and a Krell KPS-25sc with CAST cables into JM Lab MIni-Utopias with a JM Lab Sub-Utopia. All with Siltech cables. The living room is open and very well damped. The sound is fantastic even to others who do not love Krell or JM Lab. It is just one of those magic rooms that sound great. i auditioned a Pass X-250 with a Conrad Johnson Premier 16 pre-amp and the sound was not as good. The Pass amp into the KPS with interconnects was very similar sounding to the Krell amp with CAST but not as open or dimensional. The CJ was not a subjective decision at all; it was simply less musical. The decision to go with Krell amp and front end was because of the CAST cable hookup. This is a very substantial upgrade in audio quality. The other reasons are reliability and service. Some people love the real world experience of owning something exotic or high maintenance. But when you simply want great sound for many hours each day, especially on weekends, with perfect reliability then those components that deliver that are valuable. I wish it were easier to audition high end equipment in the home as that is the only way to be sure. If it were easier perhaps I would move thru equipment choices more often.
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