2. amps-preamps
  3. 1059108767

Krell --- Are the Newer designs better?

After hearing all the Krell hatred for so many years, I never thought I would consider a Krell amp -- thin, steely highs -- recessed, distant midrange -- sterile, lifeless sound.............should I have believed what many said?

Then, after reading more recent reviews of the FPB series amps, I got the distinct impression that the sonics have improved to the point that the amps are now in the top class of solid state sound. Even the infamous Jonathan Scull thought it a great amplifier.

However, there are proponents of the older amps, saying they sounded the best. Krell, like Levinson, seems to have polarized audiophiles -- either they like it, or they hate it. What have your experiences been with the different Krells, and how do they measure up to the competition, such as Pass, Rowland, Gamut, Plinius? By the way, I should point out that I am a tube guy, so few solid state amps have floated my boat, the Boulder 1060 being one of them.
kevziek

Showing 2 responses by kevziek

kevziek OP
323 posts
 
Sogood51,
I'm not totally convinced that SS can't do what tubes do, but I only say that after listening to the Boulder. The Boulder fleshed out instruments, separated musical strands with no congestion, & had no grain or texture whatsoever -- all traits similar to tubes. I'm just not interested in a $19,000 amplifier, so........

The Pass X350 also was extremely good, however, it became somewhat shrill on certain recordings that were less than ideal. I have come to believe that the shrillness and grit sometimes heard on lesser material on a SS amp is not always on the recording -- I believe it is due to some intermodulation distortion that transistors seem to be prone to. Others will say the tubes are rolling this off or obscuring it, but I don't believe that fully. Transistors tend to react to the musical signal in less than musical ways, and these are some of the things we hear and don't like about transistors.
kevziek OP
323 posts
 
Some of you commented that the KSA250 is softer on the highs, or less dynamic on the highs. I don't know if I equate this with a 'tube sound'. I actually find my tube amp more lively sounding, and less 'dead' sounding than many SS amps. The SS amps can be brighter, but they can still sound less alive, less real sounding and more mechanical.

Even in this thread, I see a polarity of opinion on Krell. Some say I would not like the sound if I like tubes. Yet at least two others owned tubes and liked their Krells.

The Plinius was mentioned as more tube sounding. However, I again have heard that the Plinius is darker and less-alive sounding. I don't want that type of sound either. So, I guess I still have no clear idea as to what the Krells really sound like.
More to discover