How much better is the Krell 400xi compared to the

"The manufacturer rates it a 200wpc/8ohms. How can it be rated higher by someone else?"

Easily, if the manufacturer really underrates the 8 ohm power specs far below what it actually measures. For example, it looks better to have an integrated amp that is rated at 200W per channel into 8 ohms and 400W per channel into 4 ohms than one that puts out 290W per channel into 8 and 400 into 4. If they lower the rating on 8 ohm to 200W (far less than it actually puts out), it makes the amp look like it doubles down into 4 ohms which is a quality highly valued by a lot of audiophiles. No one will really get upset at them either since they are underrating their 8 ohm figure. It's not like this is the first time that a manufacturer has done a rating like this. But, it can be a little misleading.

It's funny how different people have such different experiences with gear. I wish there was a $700 integrated that could outperform my 400xi (Indofunka - What integrated was that?). I'd put $1K in my pocket. Of course, my speakers are Magnepan 1.6s, so they do require the power which narrows the amplifier possibilites down a bit. In my system, the 400xi was an improvement over a quicksilver pre and Sunfire amp (and a Perreaux pre as well).

I have a 400xi (with probably less than 200 hrs on it). I've also got a Conrad-Johnson PF2 preamp and Hafler 9500 and Odyssey Stratos power amps. Of the three combos (400xi, PF2/9500, PF2/Stratos), the 400xi sounds sweetest on top; the PF2/Stratos has the largest soundstage, and the PF2/9500 images best. Soundstage size is about the same between the PF2/9500 and 400xi (perhaps slightly smaller for the 400xi). The 400xi and PF2/Stratos have slightly smoother midbass than the PF2/9500.

- Kofi

I have compared the 400xi and the combo Sp16 pre with 4 Bsst amp and I have to say the 400xi comes very closed. Open, clean, sweet and warm. The 400xi mid-range is not quite open and rich as the Sp16/ 4 Bsst combo but very close. I did hear more detail background from the Sp16/ 4 Bsst. In the All for you cd, with the Sp16/ 4 Bsst I can hear clearly the drum brush on the background but only faint sound with 400xi.A $2500.00 intergrated hold itself against $5,500.00 combo with its own decency. Not bad Krell !

Infofuma, I own 400xi and I love it as much as my SP16/ 4Bsst combo even though the 400Xi is not quite as detail and open as the above combo. A $2500.00 intergrated holds itself pretty good against $5,500.00 combo that is impressive. If it is in perfect condition and you want to get rid of it at a loss, you know how to contact me. I am an audio junkie who loves the baby Krell more than some separates and I may have the use another 400Xi.