2. amps-preamps
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Krell Illusions ii / Krell duo 300xd to a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated an upgrade?

Hi - I’ve got a Krell Preamp (Illusions ii) paired with a Krell duo 300xd amp, stream with a Auralic Aries G1 Streamer / MHDT Pagoda balanced DAC with WE 396 tube upgrade.  Speakers are Alta Audio Alec’s.  If I swapped out the Krell stack and Pagoda for the Gryphon Diablo 300 w/DAC would that be an overall upgrade?

I’ve been really impressed with the Krell duo 300xd amp, compared it to Coda CSiB       , Primaluna Evo 400, Parasound A21, Krell 300i Integrated.  To my ears outperformed them all.  The Gryphon Diablo 300 seems to get showered with praise, exhaulted as one of the best, when compared to many separate stacks and “the best integrated”.

Curious to hear opinions, thoughts. 

 

mm1tt77
mm1tt77 OP
154 posts
 

Thanks yyzsantabarbara - eery how similar our paths have been, similarities on what we’ve run for gear.

I love the Krell Amp - didn’t get a chance to compare the 300xd using the Krell Pre vs the CSiB as a pre with it.  My memory of the CSiB being used as a pre was I preferred it to the Krell but without being able to do a direct comparison, hard to tell if that would really be the case.  Called Coda and asked about the differences I would hear, jumping to the 07x - they said minimal if I was using the XLR inputs, that said, the 300xd sounds to my ears better using the XLR inputs - seems to be designed that way, had to use the rca output / inputs when I was using the CSiB as a pre.  
 

Have you tried any other Pre’s with the 175xd?  I’m toying with trying a tube pre but tougher to find balanced tube pre’s - some have them but not as common on tube gear. 

 

mm1tt77 OP
154 posts
 

Audiotroy - thanks for the comments and recommendations - I’m in the North East, I’ll give you a call to talk through some options on a streamer / server.  
 

thanks, 

yyzsantabarbara
4,806 posts
 

@mm1tt77 I tried a Schitt Freya+ (XLR) but I am not sure if it was hooked up to the KRELL. It worked nicely with the AHB2. I believe I tried the Freya+ with the CODA #8. I sold the Freya+ but I thought it was a very good preamp but I realized tubes in the pre are not for me.

I also tried a Topping pre90 ($700) on my Parasound 21+ and Benchmark AHB2. It sounds like the LA4 with ONLY those 2 amps (so good). With many other amps I tried the pre90 with, I hated the volume which was too loud and lacked granularity. There is a review in Stereophile on this unit. That preamp may work on the KRELL since the LA4 works so nicely on the KRELL. Something to try for a relatively low cost.

I find the CODA separates a jump up from the CSIB. My CSiB was from 2019 so not the latest design from 2020. I was relucent selling the CODA #8 but this new headphone amp I am getting will be replacing the CODA #8 and it is better suited for the headphones. The second best amp I have heard on the headphones is the KRELL 175XD, I actually got the KRELL just for the headphones and had my CODA #8 on my speakers, Thiel CS3.7. However, after some experiments the KRELL went to my speakers and the others sold. I am very happy long term with my gear now.

 

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