MOON I-5 versus KRELL KAV 400XI

I owned the Moon I-5 on two occasions, 3 years apart. My first unit was somewhat dry, with good yet artificial bass, while the upper frequencies were a tad bright. I was a sucker for the design of the thing though, very nice.

Second I-5 was purchased on the supposed reputation that it was ''upgraded' and that is sounded better.

Finally, not much improvement was noticed. This integrated creates a spectacular, sparkling and lively sound. Great for short-term impressions. However, I found it to be dry, dark, unnatural and not very communicative of the music.

Great design still, but for sonics, the Moon sound just doesn't cut it for me.

More evidence, if any were needed, that different pairs of ears are tuned differently. I've heard both the Krell 400xi, and the SimAudio I-5 at home and elsewhere, albeit with different speakers and source.

I love the I-5, purchased used and without the upgrade now available. For me, the Krell was flat and lifeless, heard through some of the better JMlabs Speakers. But the dealer is a big fan, he sings in an excellent choral group, and I'd never diss his ears. One man's neutral is another man's flat.
For me, the I-5 has just the right balance of life, air, delicacy and agility with music enhanced by those qualities, to make an ideal match with many small-driver two-way speakers in modest sized rooms. No one can argue with the Krell build quality or power though.
happy hunting,
-paul-

Soory to hijack this thread..

what about Krell KAV400xi with Naim 202/200?

cheers

Soory to hijack this thread..

what about Krell KAV400xi with Naim 202/200?

cheers

A bit of a tangent maybe, hardly a hi-jack. I spent a bit of time with the current Naim 202/200 separates over several sessions at a dealer, and owned the Nait 5i for close to 2 years. The Naim separates are very fine, but very Naim; all of the Naim virtues of rhythmic drive, nice tonal balance, great mid-range, bass that has heft but good manners too. The separates are of a higher calibre overall than the integrateds under discussion here, as they should be for the price. Still, they have the Naim voice which you may or may not prefer; not the last word in soundstage, a sense of air and bloom, delicacy of decay of notes etc.

I think the little Nait 5i holds its own against the Krell 400 xi or the Simaudio 1-5, as long as it is used in a suitable application and set-up. Naim is pretty particular about partnering, from speaker cable and interconnect to equipment rack and speakers.

I might add that I may not have heard the Krell at its best; some devotees of Totem speakers, which I like too, say Krell is a great match with the somewhat forward or lively presentation of the Totems.