Krell KSA-i400 Stereo Power Amplifier
I had originally planned on buying the KRELL KSA i400 amp to power KEF Blades 2 Meta. However, the Blades did not materialize (was not sure I could keep them safe). Since the KRELL was more money than I could afford at the time I bought a used CODA #16 amp. I had owned the CODA CSiB integrated and CODA #8 amp, so I knew what I was getting into with the #16. I love the CODA #16 amp.
I bought a Sound Anchor speaker stand custom built for the larger KRELL. Every time I look at the smaller CODA sitting on it, I wonder if I should get the KRELL as originally planned. I had owned the KRELL 300i and integrated Duo 175 XD amp so I am familiar with what the KSA -400 should sound like. The CODA $16 sounds better to me than the 300i and 175 XD. The lower watt CODA #16 sounds more powerful (power supply). I was also considering the Duo 300 XD but I think that maybe a sideways move.
My intention for my last audio buy was to buy a PlayBack Designs Dream DAC and call it a day (keeping the CODA #16). However, I have learned recently that I could trade-in the CODA #16 and buy the KSA i400 for a bit less than the price of a new PBD Dream DAC. I actually threw out all my audio gear shipping boxes (2 systems), except the CODA #16 box.
I will try to listen to the KRELL at the next Los Angeles show (I have a remote KRELL dealer all lined up). Until then, I was curious to know if anyone else owns the KRELL i400 or heard it. If so, how do you like it and what speakers are you using it with. Can you compare it to the lower KRELL XD models or the CODA #16?
My plan is to use either the Benchmark LA4 preamp or the Holo Serene preamp (I have both). Those choices have nothing to do with the price and everything to do with the sound. The LA4 preamp with the KRELL Dou 175 XD amp was great.
Krell KSA-i400 Stereo Power Amplifier - The Absolute Sound
Krell Illusion II/KSA-i400 Pre/Power Amplifiers | Hi-Fi News (hifinews.com)
I guess a second question is what would be a better choice, a DAC or amp for similar cost? My current DAC for this system is the Schitt Yggg+ Less is More. I love this low-cost DAC. It is hard to get big improvements in DAC sonics these days, even at a lot more cost. Though the PBD is an FPGA design. A design I think is at the forefront of DAC designs. I feel a bit of the same with the new tech in the KRELL.
I also have the option of doing nothing, but I want to reward myself for surviving the past 12 months with my super crazy work schedule.
I think I400 with a very good DAC. But then it depends on DAC right… I think for what you have I would go i400… but not super familiar with your DAC. When I went from Aurender a10 to Bartok, it was a positive change but not ridiculous. Amp was bigger. yes you can lift and carry it by the rear handles. But it’s HEAVY. Like 180-190lbs. |
@yyzsantabarbara, I wouldn't underestimate the difference (in audiophile relative terms :)) that a top tier DAC can make in a system. Over the last few years I've tried different amps in my system (ranged from AHB2 to Pass X250.8) and DACs (Topping D90 to Meitner MA3). I personally found the DAC difference to equal the amplifier differences in my system. Obviously this is my personal tastes, but for me the differences/preferences were there in both lists. I did own the Yggy LIM and really liked it, but the MA3 was another level to my ears and easily equaled the 'differences' I heard between my favorite amps on the list. If you have power and current delivery requirements for the amp, then that is different of course... e.g. I would prefer to have the MA3+AHB2 vs the Topping+X250.8 combo with the rest of my system, as an example. In absolute terms I find the differences between the good components (unrelated to price) to be small. In relative terms though vs cost the MA3 was amazing if you like a zero fatigue, super smooth sound, a non-lean presence/mass to the presentation, and very good (but not ultra detail retrieval). I've never heard the PlayBack Design DACs, but presumably it would be at or above the MA3 level. Cheers |
Thanks for the great feedback. I owned the AHB2 and loved it though it was not powerful enough for my then hard to drive speakers. One of the reasons I am so happy with the CODA #16 is that it has a very clean sound on top, almost as good as the AHB2 on top, but with massive grunt. The lower end KRELL that I owned is similar in some ways, such as the bass, but the top end is even smoother. I also owned the top Topping DAC and it was not that great. My prior best DAC was the Lumin X1, I did a side-by-side comparison of the latest model Yggi+ LIM with the Lumin X1 and preferred the top end of the Yggi+ a bit more. It was rather evident when I used my RAAL SR1a earphones, the most revealing gear I own. The streamer section of the X1 is something I miss, especially with the Leedh volume control, which works on even the SPDIF output. I used that with a modded Peachtree GAN1 "amp". The X1 is a great streamer, and it natively supports fibre optic too. I guess the answer to my question about DAC vs amp is that it depends on the gear. It is a bit cheaper for me to get the KRELL i400 (with CODA #16 trade-in) vs the PBD DAC. BTW - The MA3 was created by Ed Mietner's company. Ed was a partner or protégé of Andreas Koch from PBD. One of the reasons I am high on the DAC upgrade is that these guys likely know more about DACs than most companies. Bartok, Schitt, Rockna are other companies that I think are DAC pioneers.
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