Anyone heard the Krell KCT Preamp?


I am in the market for a preamp and was wondering if anyone has had a chance to evaluate or audition this unit. Any owners care to comment? Also, there seems to be no reviews published that I can find thus far. I am also particularly interested in its CAST feature for mating with Krell Class A amps (high impedance output into low impedance input. Thanks in advance.
stevecham

Showing 2 responses by scoutdog

The Krell KCT is still one of the top preamps (don't let anybody tell you different or fill you with dry, shrill, warm descriptions). Get one and move on. Just listening to all of this --- one is better than the other tube versus solid state is all a bunch of bull -- The trick is to know you are getting a great preamp and now you can concentrate on another great source or speaker and of course your music.
At this level of performance/cost if you can afford it -- You know you are getting ONE of the best (everybody arguing about what sounds better at this level -- Don't listen to them--- That goes with most components of other manufactures also -- There top of the line products are usually great.
I can afford anything and I love my Krell system with CAST.
KCT, KPS-28c, FPB amps... CAST cables, LAT-2 speakers.
Great SYSTEM -- oh and I enjoy the music not wondering if Mcintosh, or CJ, or other very very good products are better.
I have had other products by the above and have enjoyed them all - no bad experiences -- I will not put them down or say stupid stuff like it blows away each other (childish). At this level and with my money who cares. (Remember My Krell cast is a system not a bunch of different company products wired together with different cords and then different speakers -- nobody seems to tell you that -- stick with a good company and go for it -- The real trick is spend your money on some really good speakers -- that is another topic -- go with krell, Martin Logan, Wilsons,....etc speakers and you can be confident your sound is really close to the best out there -- Really -- and please I am not talking about 100 decibal producing wall-size speakers in a 40' x 40' size room -- I'am talking about an average room 11' - 15' x 18' - 24' with decent normal everyday acoustics (no sound Treatments).
I have had KSA series to the Evo series and loved every minute. People who say they sound shrill or warm is a bunch of noise -- This type of equipment is best used with other great pieces usually very expensive.
One more thing if you are looking for discounted items or think something is way over priced -- go with a great dennon, or sony ~ something you can afford -- Regardless of what they say you can still get a great sound from some of there products at there price point (I love my Sony Es receiver and also have a dennon system).
Just to let you know I also have (had) CJ, Mark Levinson, MBL (love their speakers), Martin Logan, Focal, Sony and Yamaha -- All of them sounded great for their price points.
Once you get to the expensive companies your at a 90% level of what can be heard (Love this area)-- the rest is whether its raining outside or full sunshine.
This idea of one company blows another company away is crap.
By the way I am not a Krell Salesman -- People who slam krell, or any of the high-end products usually can't afford them -- made in china, runs hott, 3 dimensional, my sony sounds as good as a krell -- Think what is being said.
Krell KCT is a great preamp and if you buy one you will have selected one of the best in the WORLD -- Period.

My Krell All Cast System: KCT Preamp; KPS-28c CD; FPB-200c ~ age 6 yrs old -- Krell Lat-2 Speakers and a JL subwoofer. Krell EVo 300 -- can't tell a lot of difference but it does sound great (treated room); Lamm amps nice but tube upkeep -- all of my equipment gets me to the 90% and above realm...

Sounds as good as my Large system.

Thanks,
Just An opinion
6550c - Why would I need to test a tube -- Thats my point "Learn" -- Enjoy the music without wondering about - do I hear something/how many hours have I listen to these tubes -- If I install this tube will it sound better? -- is it time to change the tubes or am I getting the best sound -- If I want to tinker with tubes or bias -- I'd "DO" what the tube guys "DO".
I Do state that I have sony's and dennon and Yamahas -- even had pioneer -- No bad comments for any of the equipment/or who made them -- Good equipment - Good companies and I bounce from one to the next - good to great, thats how you "learn" whats good and whats a step above and in my experience (what I learned -- I do have a lot of degrees) -- it usually cost to get to the great sound.
But my point was not to focus on money (usually wealthy people are very smart -- They usually don't DO what other people want you to DO -- my case in point) -- But the KCT is still one of the best (notice I didn't say "The Best in all the world")-- and I can afford the best -- I like the best but being smart - I tried to let him know that he should try to get in the upper margin with whatever kind or equipment/company - Tubes or solid state -- will get him to the 90% range of great sound (If that is what he is shooting for)-- the KCT will do that for him - an All Cast system will move it up a notch -- and nothing out there will "Blow it away" -- why? because its a great system -- Mine still looks good too.
So 6550c - I was trying to tell him to "Be smart" wade through the bias -- if you (6550c) fall in that category so be it. By the way I only have half-ton of money -- the other half I spent on great audio gear from all the different companies and I have no bad - put down comments for doing it, I learned from hearing some of the best audio equipment in the world and the KCT is a great preamp.