Krell S-150M Mono Blocks

Hello Ben...
I have had a few Krell's over the years and keep going back to the FPBc/cx's. Although the more recent units are still all great amps with some of the better build quality, there just seems to be something missing. Given the used prices on the older FPBcx's it sure makes solid sense to me. You do lose some convenience with their massive size/weight but I find a warmth, smoothness, cohesion and naturalness that seeems to be lacking in the newer lines. I do use a KAV 3250 as well for Ht but FPB 600c for reference and love it still.

Thanks Richard, I appreciate your input. I remember hearing great things about the FPB series...boy, they are massive!

The first thing I am going to do, is to take my Class-D amp to the dealer and compare it with the Krell (my dealer will have an S-275 in after the holidays). I have read that even the newer Class-D amps (which my GCC-250 is not...it is circa 2005, with an ICE-based design) give up some latitude in the upper frequencies and are said to be less open and airy (i.e.: three-dimensional)…even grainier than their solid state counterparts. If I do not hear more than a very subtle difference, I will gladly save my $5,500. If I hear the kind of difference that I did when comparing the new McIntosh MC-203 (SS) to the Krell Evo 402e, then I will definitely consider the purchase. In that comparison, the difference between the Krell and the Mac (not really a fair comparison considering the Krell costs more than three times what the Mac does) was literally night and day…the Krell providing so much more detail, clarity and openness in the upper frequencies, and noticeably better controlled bass. This very discernable difference was exciting to me.

I have no idea how my PS GCC-250 will fair in comparison with the smaller Krell (and even the Mac MC-203), but I am anxious to find out. In the mean time, I really appreciate input from my brethren A-Goners!!

Merry Christmas Richard…

_Ben

HI Richard,
I also have a Krell 3250 which I use to power the front channels in my 5.1 system. Since this system has dual self-powered subs, I really don't use the 3250's low end. But, I do like the amp a lot. My HT system uses B&W 805S and its varients. These are good speakers and seem to get along with the 3250 very well. I think the 3250 was a hell of a deal.

Sparky

Hi 2chnlben

I'm on almost exactly the same route as you. Having had a brief encounter with an S-275 at a dealer I intend to have a home demo. My speakers are Harbeth Super HL5s; driven by the S-275 at the dealers they sounded better than my home system where they are driven by Alner-Hamblin SA-400 monoblocks (class D tripath 1.25Kw each). Specifically I found the top significantly better in terms of air and transparency, while the bass was similar in quality and speed. I also intend to audition the Bel Canto 500ref monoblocks to see how much better current class D amps sound.
I'd be very keen to hear the results of your audition.

David

David:

Indeed, we are on a very similar quest!

After being prompted by my dealer, who recently picked up the McIntosh line, I went in to hear the new Mac MC-302. As a reference, we were comparing the 302 to a Krell Evo 401e (certainly not a fair comparison, but an excellent reference). The Mac is so darn cool looking (and built like a tank) that I was hoping I would like it. The difference between the 302 and the Evo 402e however, was literally night and day. The upper frequencies were presented so much better via the Krell (as was the bass) that I immediately decided against the Mac. Unfortunately, the Evo series is out of my budget range.

Now, I don’t image the S-275 is going to compete with the bigger (and more expensive) Evo amps, but if it sounds anywhere near as good as the 402e, then I am going to seriously consider buying it. Next week I am going to take my amp (PS Audio GCC-250 – class-D) into my dealer and do a little “shoot-out” with the S-275, the Evo 402e, my amp and the Mac. I’ll post my findings, so stay tuned.

I too will appreciate learning about your findings. Please do post your comments or feel free to email me via the members section.

Thanks.

_Ben