Help - is Krell dead?


Hoping to get some cues from other owners. I have an older Krell KAV 280 CD Player that I really like. I am moving to Europe and tried to contact Krell to see if it can be switched to 220v (it is already 50/60hz). (Yes, i could buy a step-down transformer but i prefer converting it internally). No one picks up phones, the voicemail to some guy called Tim Rogers is full. Emails to servcie go unresponded. Does anyone know if there is some way to contact Krell? Dealers I have tried in NJ are also unable to help.....it is so strange. Many thanks for any help.

musicmatters1206

Usually Krell gear has three red switches inside. They are easy to access. Just remove top cover and you will see them close to power section (sometimes the switches are "hidden" with glued black plastic covers on top of the swithes. .Just take those away). In all my Krell gear (about 25 units) the settings of those switches shall be 2-2-2 for 240 Volt. I do not have the KAV 280cdp but the KPS30i cd player and it has those three red switches inside. The setting 2-2-1 is usually for US standard, 120 Volts.

I live in Sweden where we have 230 Volt, 50 Hz as standard. I have bought several poweramps from the US and never had any problems changing the voltage from 120 to 240 Volts. The only problem I have faced was with a couple of Krell FPB 300cx poweramps. They are locked to 60 Hz and needs a new IC to accept 50 Hz. Those wonderful Krellamps are the only ones of all Krell gear I have that needed the IC change. Take you player with you to Europe!!! There are plenty of Krellservice places in Europe. Some certified by Krell, some not. Look for the certified ones (of course). Good Luck! Mikael Sweden 

Edit: You can easily change the switches yourself but then you must be 100% sure that 2-2-2 is the correct setting for 240 volts for your KAV 280cdp If you have Facebook you can join the group "Krell owners and enthusiasts group". It is a serious group where members and  some Krell employees and retired Krell employees answers questions. Highly recommended.

@dclone Mikael can't thank you enough! Its quite amazing how few people know this stuff. I spoke to another shop today and he said he will build a new transformer! I will take your note to the local tech who already has the CDP and lets see what he says. Really appreciate...I am moving to Italy and very pleased to hear about the network in EU...thanks again

"Thanks everyone for the responses and very sad to hear. It is also tragic to note that a legendary name in our beloved industry cannot support basic customer needs and voicemail boxes are filled out".

Wow. He really had the balls to put this out there. This is one of a variety of reasons why sales people within the hobby don’t talk to or bother with some of the whiners who walk into their stores. They can probably spot a me me me a-hole at 50 paces.

’Look, I’m a good person, really, and I’m sorry to hear the owner/founder is dead. So tragic...but what about me & my question’??

 

 

So sorry to hear about Rondi’s tragic passing. She and Dan built Krell into the legendary company that it became. I did not know that Rhondi had gone back to working for them after she and Dan left Krell several years ago, the result of a dispute with the people Dan and Rondi merger with.. Last I heard Rhondi was working in the real estate business. May she rest in peace. 🙏

Krell does occupy a storied place in the history of the High End, but this incident shows that some of these revered companies are essentially small boutiques, and that the loss of one critical member of the company can sideline the whole operation. It’s hard to imagine Sony or Yamaha, by way of contrast, grinding to a halt if their CEO passed away