Can you put a Krell in an apartment?

Jeff, the whole power issue with the Krell 400cx and similar generation amps is very confusing and IMO, Krell is to blame.

The owners manual is clear and supports what Krell told you in your original post.

From the 400cx owners manual.

"Make sure the AC line is at least 15 amps for 300cx and 350Mc amplifiers; 400cx, 450Mcx, 700cx, and 750Mcx amplifiers should be operated from a dedicated 20-amp line."

Issue
The power cord unlike the previous generation FPB series is captive (sealed); so adding 20 amp service would entail making modifications to the power cord. Like cutting off the wall side and attaching the 20 amp plug. Who would want to do this on a multi thousand dollar brand new amp at the time? imo - Krell only did the 15 amp wall plug especially on the 400cx and up models for sales.


FYI
Pre CX series Krell amps had detachable cords. One could see the 20amp outlet design on the amp. The factory cord was a "dummy" power cord that had a 20 amp plug on the amp side and a 15 amp plug for the wall. All owners I know, including me, would just add in 20amp service and buy or make an aftermarket 20 amp power cord.

Cheers

Jeff,

I know some of your comments are in jest, but, the idea of comparing outrageous apartment systems, with the measure being the inappropriateness of the gear seems to be the wrong approach to making a good actual choice.  The best sound is achieved by employing the right gear for the apartment setting.  This does not necessarily mean tiny speakers and really low-powered amps.  

For example, if you look in Japanese audio magazines, you will see a lot of systems with very large horn-based speakers in tiny apartments.  Why?  It is because horns can sound extremely vibrant and alive when actually playing at quite low volume--a good attribute in an apartment with thin walls.  That horn systems also tend to be very efficient is another great attribute because most of the very best amplifiers (in my opinion) are low-powered amps.

You can also get very dynamic sound at low volume with high efficiency fullrange drivers used either in single-driver fullrange systems or with the full-range driver used in multi-way systems.  Most of these types of systems are also quite efficient.

Even large dipole panel speakers might be appropriate in an apartment, if you can get them out into the room.  Dipoles tend to concentrate the sound within a narrow field (the back and front wave are out of phase and cancel at the sides) and will sound pretty loud without spilling that loudness throughout the apartment (and into the next apartment).

There are many other ways to achieve good apartment sound, but, large subwoofers and hundreds of watts of power are the least likely way to get there.

Large dipole's in an apartment? I am going to grab some NEOLITH's then!!! Hook em up to some SYMPHONIC LINE MONOS!!! IN MY 500 SQUARE FT SECTION 8 APARTMENT IN THE LAS VEGAS HOOD!!! 

I've heard Magnepan 3.7 and 1.7 in small apartments/condos, and I have used Acoustat 1+1 and Martin Logan Quests in an apartment.  When I replaced the Quest with a horn-based system, I was shocked to find how much more sound seemed to spill out of the listening area than was the case with dipole speakers, meaning that I have to play the speaker at a lower volume level so as to not disturb neighbors.  Horn systems, because of their directivity, are supposed to be good at not disturbing neighbors, but, they are not as good as dipoles in that respect.

The limitations imposed by an apartment do not mean one cannot go crazy in building a sound system, it just means going crazy in a different way.  I am in that camp.  I own three amplifiers, the most expensive currently retails near six figures and the one I am currently running I could easily sell for $25,000.  The much more expensive reserve amp (on loan to a friend) has a rated output of 6.5 watts/channe; the one I am currently running has an output around 5.5 per channel.

Gentlemen we have a winner!!!! An amp that retails for 6 figures? In an apartment?  You are a true "goner".  I am envious.