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Krell's new direct i-pod connection.

been using the direct i-pod hook-up on my new krell s-300i integrated (special hook-up cord is included). kinda surprised how "good" it sounds when compared to a "dock type" connection. seems alot smoother/warmer with great depth. has anyone else tried it?. thoughts??

love the fact that the krell remote also operates basic i-pod functions and charges the thing while you play. still prefer my cdp but no by as much anymore. i'm thinking for i-pod users, this type of connection is a good thing.

i-pod classic, krell s-300i. aerial 7b's, velodyne dd12

cheers
levy03
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Yes,

The new 300i uses the same system as in the KiD, and it does sound very good for an iPod, I heard that system @ CES this year and is was very nice to listen to.

Enjoy it, that is a solid little amp you have there!
levy03 OP
442 posts
 
i thought being on a very limited budget and needing to drive the aerial 7b's was going to leave me coming up short. shocking sound for an integrated and a dream at its price point imo.

for folks who enjoy an occasional movie, the theater pass through mode is really nice too. can integrate the krell into any HT system that has pre-outs.

i understand this stuff kinda rubs the "purists" wrong but i say give it a listen first. great entry hi-fi from krell with features that make sense today (regardless of where it was made).

cheers
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
It's useful and feature packed but fell short in ultimate musicality compared to the 400xi so I sold it. Mine had a few glitches as well, but I'm sure they have worked the problems out by now:O)
levy03 OP
442 posts
 
then listened to the new s-300i. i could hear no difference between the two. maybe it was the aerial 7b's or the cardas gold ref ic being used?. maybe my ears aren't what they use to be?. regardless, both sounded identical to me. couldn't even detect the slightly higher stated output of the 400xi. sounding identical made the i-pod feature the deal maker. having access to the over 3k tunes on my i-pod made it a pretty easy choice in the end.

when i talked to krell on 5/15/09 about the china thing and any teething problems....i was told the bugs had been worked out (but then what did i expect them to say =)). mine has been flawless but then i've only had it for about 6 weeks.

it appears that lots of folks are down on krell for the often quoted "clinical" sound. i suppose they can be, but when matched correctly, i just don't hear it.

but back to my original point....the i-pod connection really does sound good.

cheers
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
That's great Levy03, if it's working fine after 6 weeks then your good to go! At my dealer I couldn't tell much of a difference either (probably because of the patchbays and low quality cabling). I did prefer the 400xi in the end at home because of it's warmer and more textured sound...then again, I use a $4000 power cord and $6495 IC's left over from my previous setup. Both units are great sounding...enjoy!!
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