Old Krell vs new Krell amps...


Hello,
I actually have to choose between differents Krell amps, for roughly the same price :
a pair of Krell Audio Standard (KAS)
a Krell Evo 302
and for half the price a pair of KAS-2 amps

How do they compare, in terms of sound ?
The KAS is a legend, but is it actually still a good choice ? Its fiability is good ? The KAS is really better than the KAS-2 ?
And, what about the new Evo amps ? Are they better than the KAS or the FPB amps ?
My speakers are easy to drive : Tannoy GRF, but I may swap to big TAD or JBL...
I can't compare those amps directly because they are sold in different(and very far from each others) shops.
Thanks a lot for all informations and advices.
Best Regards,
nico_g
Thanks for all those answers : they are very interesting !
I think that the best choice would be a new EVO 302.
The KAS and KAS-2 are old amps and reliability problems could occur fast...
I noticed too that the EVO 302 construction (layout) seems to be more "clean and symetric" than the 402.
In the 402, the two output stages with their dissipators are parallel and very close.
In the 302, the output stages are on each side, like in classical stereo amps.
Upgrade1394 : could you confirm me that they are actually 2 transformers in the 302 : a smaller one upside the big one (that is shielded) ? Another question : do you have compared your EVO amp with some Pass amps, like the X350.5 or the XA100.5 ?
Best Regards,
Upgrade1394 : thanks in advance for all new answer to my last post...
But all other advice is welcome too !
Regards,
I have to disagree with upgrade 1394, the KSA 250, KSA 200, and The KMA amps 160/400s are not at all grainy--they are very very refined and open. These all run pure class A. They have the big fins, run hot, and are very desireable on the collector market. When you think "macho" amps these are what come to mind. The KSA 150 and KSA 200s were later amps and perhaps were not 100% class A. I'm not 100% sure but I've heard others say the KSA S-series amps were the "whitest" of the Krells. BTW-- I've never heard a grainy Krell amp. I don't think that's a term "I" would ever use for Krell, that's just me though.

Peter
Hello Nico_g,
in my recollection, the Tannoys and the JBLs are really easy to drive, thus, some buddies here in Manila drive them with low-powered SETs with finesse.

IMHO, the Krells are the epitome of solidstate amps that are really "SOLID STATE". i am currently using my FPB 200c to drive my Sonus Fabers becaue my SF Power 2 just can't seem to cut it :-(

I think, too, that the FPBs are more desireable than the KAS or the newer EVOs but this is a matter of taste and personal biases.

If you can, please give them a listen in your own venue and then decide.

Best wishes in your quest!
.e.
Thanks again for all the answers.
I will try to compare the KAS to my actual amp : GamuT D2 mkIII.
Then I will go to the other store and compare the D200 with the EVO 302...