So why was the Krell KPS 28c discontinued?

Ovature, it sounds like you had a bad experience with the KPS 28C. I know I would have a bitter opinion if I paid that much for something and they could not get it right. And I can't comment on the quality issues you had because I have not had any problems with mine. You also did not comment on the rest of the system that you had yours connected to. I think the 28 is optimally designed to be used with other Krell cast equipment to play at its best. I have no complaints with mine but I would never pay retail for one. All this high end stuff is way over priced in my opinion. BTW, mine weighs in at 23.5 lbs and I don't agree that the tray sounds like a tin pan but I do agree it could be more to it.

If these were such pieces of junk, then why aren't any of them seen for sale on Audiogon? I have been looking for awhile.

I know, I know this thread is AGES old...but just my 2cents:

I‘ve been listening to the Krell KPS 28c for about 17 or 18 years in my chain now and am still completely satisfied with it. I once in a while tested other, newer players of high price but the KPS28c blew them all away - including the somewhat later Krell SACD Standard. They all didn’t have the dynamics and musical authority of the KPS and sounded anemic and lifeless in comparison. Only once had a little issue when the drawer didn’t open, but after a short repair free of charge everything has been fine ever since. Also the build quality is excellent (internally and externally). The weight of the unit only is 19 lbs. according to the manual.
Pair it with some really good xlr interconnects (in my case Transparent Reference XL) and an adequate preamp and power amps plus speakers and the sun shines bright and warm every time you start the unit. This is an EXCELLENT sounding, reliable player and I cannot understand „ovature“ at all with the problems he apparently had...maybe he mixed it up with another model or whatever.
I can only say this: Krell KPS28c - highly recommended, even after all these years!!

Well guess what, the 28c is exactly what I had. It didn’t play SACD and it sounded average on redbook cd. I hated the plastic drawer. Highly recommended for what? For a junk sale in someone’s garage? I am still using my Sony scd 777esd which sounds great on Sacd and ok on redbook. It’s built 1000 times better than the krell but it’s slow to load. It weighs 60 lbs. I also have the original Rega Planet and a Krell receiver in another system. Both work fine since 1999

For electronics in the main system I am using a McIntosh c2200 pre and an MC402 amp with Martin Logan SL3