2. amps-preamps
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Used Krell KAV-500, 1500 and 250a/3?

There are several of these amps for sale on this site. I am looking for an amp to fill out the home theater with. I just purchased some B&W N804s and HTM-1 and am powering them right now with a Bryston 4B-ST and other misc cheap amps. I bought a Proceed AMP 5 to try out the sound. Loved it, but not enough power and so back to the store it went. Thought about an HPA3/2. Enough power, but expensive. But then I saw these Krell amps for sale and was wondering how they would pair with B&W Nautilus speakers. Buying used would be considerably cheaper. I could just buy a Bryston 6B-ST (3ch) to fill out the home theater, but I want to make sure I have the right amps paired with these speakers (probably just a case of the-grass-is-always-greener). Curious what other B&W owners use for amplification? This system will be used for music as well. Thanks.
argent
dbui1
28 posts
 
I have owned different amps in the past (Aragon, Krell, Sunfire, Denon and McIntosh)
But I’m very happy with recent setup: B&W Nautilus 803 with Classe CA-300, sound is magical, warm and very dynamic (Harmonic Tech. Pro silway II interconnects and Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables)

If you listen to music more than home theater, recommend a pair mono Classe CAM-201 into your short list (new design)
Good Luck
schange
16 posts
 
I bought a new KAV 1500 for just under 5,000 and have it powering B&W 801 series III speakers in my home theater. They sound fine and the amp was cheap for a Krell.
avguy
106 posts
 
The Krell KAV-1500 is a terrific amp. I have B&W Nautilus 801 as my front left/right speakers, HTM-1 as center and Matrix 801 Series 3 as left/right surround speakers. I currently have all my speakers bi-amped. I use the KAV-1500 (5 channel @ 300 watts/channel) to drive the Nautilus 801s, a Meridian 557 (2 channel @ 200 watts/channel) for the HTM-1 and a JBL Synthesis 650a (5 channel @ 130 watts/channel and made by Bryston) for the Matrix 801s. I have tested out all three the amps on all my speakers, and I can say that Krell is the best amp by far.

However, if your budget is tight, I would suggest that you consider a JBL Synthesis 650a amp on Audiogon or eBay. They can be had in mint condition at around $750 to $1,000. I have listened to both Bryston 9B-ST and this unit, and this is a much better amp than the 9B-ST. Even if you compare specs, this amp weighs 85 pounds, as compared to 9B-ST at 65 lbs, at comparable wattage output. (both are featured on their respective websites at www.jbl.com and www.bryston.ca) Good luck in your selection!!!
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