Krell 400xi or Musical Fidelity A5 for ML Summit?

Jodus, I am surprised at your comment above. I have dealt with Krell customer service a few times over the past year and it’s the best I ever had. They quickly answered my e-mail questions about their equipment. I had a CDP unit over the warranty period and they brought it up to spec and cleaned it for free! I had another unit that needed a simple repair and now it works perfect. Again, no cost to me. Just had to pay for shipping to their headquarters both times. They even picked up the shipping cost back and it came in a box better than what I sent it in. They are always there to answer my simple questions and help out in any way they can... Your experience maybe non-typical.

Patrick, service mgr at Krell voluntarily offered me a new replacement for my 400XI few months back. Therefore, I cannot say a bad thing abt Krell customer service. Sometimes, " it's not what you say it but how you say it" does matter to others. A little PR will help...

That is good to hear about Krell. Maybe I just caught them on a bad day. As I stated, I think the 400xi is one of the best deals on the market. I had a 400 paired with PSB Goldi's for a bit(they add some warmth back to the Krell), and for under $2500 used, for an amp and speakers, that is one heck of a combo.

Great board, great site, I haved learned (and continue to) so much through this site - very thankful.

Well, guess what guys? I can now say that both brands are first rate, here's why. The KCT/400cx/Thiel CS6 combo just keeps getting year after year and the key is feeding it a quality source. Recently we reconfigured our second listening room with the Vandersteen 2Ces that I was driving with either Rogue Cronus or CJ CAV50 integrateds. This new configuration now means the system fires down the long axis with a vaulted ceiling into a large open kitchen area, all of which translates into a need for more watts. So...

Home demoed a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated last weekend and man, what a difference! Very detailed and sweet like a tube amp, but also dynamic and really woke those Vandy's up. I had no idea how good and rockworthy those Vandys were. For a while I was afraid I might have to upgrade those speakers but now, no way. The A5 I ordered from my local dealer (Bradford Audio in Eugene, OR) arrived yesterday and is now providing excellent music, even after no break in period to speak of. I am not giving up anything by going from the tube integrateds here and in fact feel I am gaining so much more sonically. My wife agrees.

Musical Fidelity and Krell
Vandersteen and Thiel

Among the finest around and in my systems simply by choice because they sound so freaking fantastic.

Own the A5 and its an excellant value. The power is unreal.