Krell Evo vs Evo-enhance


Hello

I am considering between krell evo402 and 402e; beside evo400 and evo400e mono blocks. I have not audited them so not sure which are the most significant differences. are the new E amps better than the older evo ones?

In addition, how do you compare the above krell evo with pass labs xa 100.5 or goldmund telos 200 or Perreaux 750 or dartzeel nhb108 mondel 1 power amp?

Many thanks
sonrock
They have been tested in HIFICRITIC and the new ones were a definite improvement. The 402e is now the reference amp used by Martin Colloms, who is the publisher and does most of the testing.
Thanks stanwal for letting me know. Have your listened to the amps and compared yourself? Because some audiophiles told me that is no significant different in the sound between them, and the price is so much higher :(
I was a Krell dealer in the old days but there are none close to where I live now. I would have more faith in Colloms than in an average audiophile.
Thanks mate, but do you think he uses that amp as advertising campaign? because his references can be changed by time.

I also would like to ask if you can help me to point out the differences between the power amp evo402e and mono blocks evo400e, please?
I went for the upgrade from EVO 402 to the 402e. I was interested just for the electricity savings but also received a memo from KRell describing all the changes. I spoke to Patrick in service and he said that there would be a noticeable audio improvement. I have some experience with audio improvements and knew that there are degrees of improvements that are perceptible but not really significant. The cost of this upgrade is NOT insignificant but I went ahead and dropped off my amp at KRell.

I got it back in less than a week. It is quite nice that I live about 45 minutes from KRell and it is easy for me to make the trip. I went home, plugged in the amp to the system. I didn't even let it warm up.
The difference was so immediately apparent and really, honestly a HUGE improvement. I recommend it highly. In all ways the sound is better. Echo is more defined, the decay seems more realistic and shorter, less sound reproduction but more music, if that makes sense. The overall sound is more open and relaxed. There is less artifact--no system is perfect--and it is easier to listen to music. And the real treat was that it was easier to listen at low volumes and stay completely involved in the music. It would be difficult to isolate all the usual adjectives: highs, bass, sound stage, etc., but it is a much bigger and better improvement than I ever expected. It was more than worth the money. I was toying with monobloc amps which would have required me to do a whole system restructuring. This solved the problem. I am happy.
thank you very very much mate Huntermusic for your inputs and review about the amp. you said you was using mono blocks, could you pls let me know which amps you have used and compared them to the Evo 402e? could you pls compare between the 402e and 400e mono blocks?
Since HIFICRITIC takes no advertising it would be difficult to promote their chosen reference amp in ads.
I've been doing business with John at Audio Video Logic, in Des Moines, for 25 years and have become friends with him. I trust John's professional opinions and he is a huge advocate of the Krell Evo "e" series and he especially likes the 402e. Audio Video Logic carries and has carried, ARC, PASS and many other great brands and John is not one to push any one line if he is not a "true believer."

They're listed on this site. Give John or Mike at AVL a call.

Note: I am not affiliated with AVL. I am however, a real fan of this great high-end dealer.

_Ben
Hi Ben

Thanks for your advice. However I am based in the UK and cannot call the guy. Many thanks any way.

atb

Thanh

nb: any one can help me to review between 402e and 400e?
Regarding to the original question, I would say 402e is more logical way to go over 400e. 402e saves space, and there is no need to buy 2 identical cord. 402e is exactly two 400e together put in one chasis.
Compared to other brands such as Pass, Dart,...it is a different beast. Doesn't sound like pass amps, doesn't do the mistakes that pass does. However, it can't give the pure musical joy as Pass does.(class A)
Krell will give its best exactly 1h30-40m later after turn on. Needs a dedicated wall outlet.(not a buffer line, has to be dedicated) Plus a good ''powercord'' will give you sonic enjoyment at least 4 year as in my case.

As far as Mr. Colloms concerned, when he first reviewed Krell 402, I had Krell already and smiled and undestood that he couldn't realized its potential. I kept reading his reviews until 2010. He gave rave reviews what I had so far so good.(wilson sophia 2, Audio Research Ref 3, Transparent reference mm2 cables......)Even he was almost putting my setup together except my dCS Puccini-clock. Than, I found his own Hi-fi Critic forum and posted a topic named ''coincident or what?''
In mid 2010, I have decided to change my speaker and preamp and make radical difference.Replaced Wilson with Focal Utopia 3, and Audio Research with Esoteric preamp. Even changed my Transparent Ref. interconnect with PAD Ann.
Thanks god that he has not reviewed those yet......
Hi Mert

Thank you very very much for your advices and information mate. I am thinking to go for the 402e as well but the price here is killing me :(. I can support for s/h or ex-demo with great offer, cannot be brand new one.

At the moment I can find sth nice with good price like Perreaux prisma 750 and goldmund telos 200. Not sure they or the krell 402e will drive my mbl 121's better?

Many thanks
@Mert said:
"402e is exactly two 400e together put in one chasis"

This is, put simply, miles away from correct. Design-topology differences itself aside, let's compare power supplies only:

Evo-402e: two 2200 VA transformers and 188000 µF overall
Evo-400e: one 3000 VA and 110000 µF per piece - that means
two 3000 VA transformers and 220000 µF overal

(disclaimer: Krell's website claims even 4000VA per piece for Evo-400e - by my opinion lingering typo from the original Evo-400 white paper which had declared 4000VA as well. I am owner of a pair of Evo-400 - they have 3000VA each)

A pair of monoblocs, even the "smallest" Evo-400e, should be significantly more competent end-power potential than stereo amp with the same 400W nominal power, as the Evo-402e is.

Unfortunately, it costs...
Sonrock

Chk mbl specifications if speaker drops below to 2-3 ohms, I would say go to Krell. If my memory doesn't mess, I remember that MBL speakers are not easy loads for amps.
I may be wrong. Please chk.

cheers
Zormi

Let's suppose your given figures are correct, will my Focal Scala Utopia(8 ohm) benefit %0-10 from 400 mono?

I may go to Evo 600-900 or Evo 1 if I change to Utopia Maestro, Stella, Grand, Sasha, Maxx3, Alexadria. Than that will make sense to go Monos.
Based on past experience, 0ne Boulder 2060 is always better than two 1050's.
Btw, what about electricity?
As you said Unfortunately, it costs...
However, there is a few factors: quality of elec. will stay constant when you turn two 400 on?
Will you be getting exactly 235V(europe) 0r 110V(states)for each amp?
Is your house or flat made by audiophile friendly construction company?
Can you see what wire is hidden in wall?
I can list at least 10 more variables which may affect the performance of a power amp.
I hardly satisfy one, I wouldn't take two.
Regards
@Mert,

We would sligthly turn to off-topic if discuss now all possible "in-wall" variables that affect sound... They exist, as well as the speaker-itself issues. Of course, I agree that on some 92-93db speaker sensitivity (say, Focal) a good deal of inherent advantages better power supply brings will be less audible.

I said, and I still maintain that a pair of 400W monoblocks should be way better than 400Wpc stereo amp from the same manufacturer. A few spec details I quoted just support that statement. Nothing else.
07-09-11: Mert ... However, there is a few factors: quality of elec. will stay constant when you turn two 400 on?
Will you be getting exactly 235V(europe) 0r 110V(states)for each amp?
Is your house or flat made by audiophile friendly construction company?
Can you see what wire is hidden in wall?
I can list at least 10 more variables which may affect the performance of a power amp.
I hardly satisfy one, I wouldn't take two.
Regards
Mert (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)
Mert, I have a suggestion, how about a boombox? ONE variable!
knghifi
I do have more a than boombox I guess, please post your variable/variables and share your deep, extensive knowlodge here with despirate audiogon folks.
If you don't have one, your mother's would be just fine:)
Going fishing now!!!!
There are many variables to a system. The success of a system is a result on the synergy between these variables.

I just find your concern (variable) that both monos are getting the proper electricity a bit over the top. I would assume the comparison between mono to stereo is keeping everything (system) constant and just swapping the amps and compare.

I guess it depends on the construction of your house and if you are concern about the wiring, it should be fairly easy to rewire a room.
Also I have 2 dedicated 20 amp lines for my sound system. Both lines are stable @120V. My mono amps are plugged directly into the wall outlets using 1 line so the variable where monos are not getting same juice is not on my list.

Besides sound, size/weight and flexible should be considered between stereo and monos. My last stereo amp was a Krell FPB600 and it was a PITA to move so will avoid big stereo amps in the future.

With monos, you can use shorter SC. My speakers are 13' apart c2c so monos work well in the configuration.
thank you very much for all of your comment. I now have another offer for Gryphon Encore power amp which 500wpc 8ohm and 1000wpc 4ohm. what do you think this with the krell evo402/e?
Knghifi,
Game starts with the circuit box of the entire flat or house. IMO, the decisive factor is not the way how inwall lines installed, BUT, how the circuit box SUPPLIED by the MAİN line. If it is weak and designed for a standart citizen, than, problems begin.
In my case, I replaced entire network, all main lines to my flat, all the critical circuit breakers in entire residense, even short circuit breakers in my flat, and commonuse in residence.( neighbours didn't pay me anything)
Afterwards, I have decided not to depend on AC from company but logical way to re-generate for entire flat, re distubute the phase, re-organize the circuit breakers, internal lines.
I ended up with: 2 5kw in line voltage regulater-stabilizer(audiophile grade, custom made) one for setup, one for rest of the flat, Lapp Kabel ollflex cable for setup supply, 32a AHP Klang Modul circuit breaker for setup. (all circuit breakers and cables are Made in Germany)
(I would recommend Oyaide Tunami cable for internal lines but it will be costly and technicians may extra charge due it is very heavy and not easily bendable)
You may ask that does it worth? Yes it does, at least, psychological......

Mert,
We all have our own set of variables and priorities ... I'm SINCERELY impress with your efforts and I bet you are rewarded with great sound. Last year I replaced my outlets with Maestro outlets and could not believe the improvements so only could imagine your improvements.

I built my house ~10 years ago and was the GC (VERY BIG mistake). In hindsight, I should of spend more time designing the electrical for my sound system. Priorities priorities ... probably redo in the near future.
I UPGRADED FROM EVO 600 TO 600E, ALSO HAVE 400E AND 302E FOR HOME THEATER. I HAVE HAD MANY KRELL AMPS/PRODUCTS OVER THE YEARS. THE UPGRADE TO 'E' VERSION IS WORTJWHILE. THERE IS A MAJOR REDUCTION IN ELCTRICITY AND HEAT GENERATION IN STANDBY MODE. SOUND IMPROVEMENT IS SUBTLE. I UPGRADED FROM STEREO KRELL AMPS TO MONOBLOCKS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I NOTICED AN IMMEDIATE, OBVIOUS, HUGE IMPROVEMENT WITH THE MONOBLOCKS IN EVERY RESPECT. BETTER INSTRUMENT SEPERATION, MUSIC EMERGES FROM BLACK SILENT BACKGROUND, BETTER BASS, FASTER, MORE MUSICAL, BETTER LOW LEVEL DETAIL, BETTER 3D SOUNDSTAGING. A-B COMPARISON WAS NOT NECESSARY, THE IMPROVEMENT WAS OBVIOUS. I WOULD UPGRADE TO THE 'E' VERSION AND WOULD ALSO USE MONOBLOCKS IF THEY ARE IN YOUR PRICE RANGE. BASED ON MY PAST EXPERIENCE WITH KRELL AMPS, I THINK GOING TO THE 'E' VERSION MONOBLOCKS FROM THE STEREO 'E' VERSION WILL PROVIDE A GREATER IMPROVEMENT THAN GOING FROM THE PRIOR GENERATION EVO TO THE EVO 'E' VERSION. ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE ABSOLUTELY SUPERB. YOU REALLY NEED TO LISTEN TO THESE PRODUCTS TO DETERMINE FOR YOURSELF IF YOU CAN DETECT A DIFFERENCE AND THEN YOU CAN DECIDE IF THE IMPROVED PERFORMANCE IS WORTH THE ADDITIONAL MONEY. I LOVE MY KRELL AMPS AND KRELL EVO 707 PROCESSOR. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL, BUILT LIKE TANKS AND PERFORM BEAUTIFULLY.
I have the 400 s , as far as i read its more about reducing standby power consumption
I would also add levinson amps ,400 serie for example which i had before also good stuff
I must say I am pretty sceptical about the green stand-by, which reportedly "consumes only 2W".

2W per hour is that minor, so only reasonable explanation might be that the green diode itself consumes the whole 2W. That means that during "green stand-by" all major power supply circuits are essentialy fully disconnected yet, out of current, so that a real warming-up of amp actually does not occur. Real warming-up, of course, occurs during so-called "high current stand by" (red diode), which consumes some normal 150-450W per hour, depending on Evo-e model. However, this normal red-diode-indicated stand-by is being already known from the original Evo (not "e") series.

What does it means? Well... Ask Krell's marketing department...

BTW, I am happy Evo-400 (not "e") owner. Would be perhaps a bit more happy if own a pair of new Evo-400e, not because of the green stand-by but because of other improvements (reportedly slightly upgraded power supply, increased filter capacity etc).
thanks gent for all of your inputs. I have moved house and already had internet last saturday.

now I am thinking to go for Krell Evo402 (can be upgraded to e in the future?) or Gryphon Encore or Perreaux Prisma 750 or Linn Klimax Solo 500.

could any one of you please compare them each with the krell 402/e for me?
sorry for this question but this is very important to me. I have a good offer for a pair of Krell Evo400 from USA. However I am worrying about tax I need to pay here in the UK - 30% of the total value.

The shop says they can send the amps which ever way I want to. So if any of you are in EU or particularly UK and has bought from the US or somewhere before, please advise what should I do.

In addition, the amps should be converted to use here in the UK. some audiophiles told me that would be problems like hum or sth, is that correct or the amps can work perfectly like ones made for the EU/UK market? please advise!

many many thanks!
Hi Sonrock,

I recently bought and received a pair of evo 600e's from the States. They were converted to 230V in the States. I listened to a pair in the shop before placing my order. Converted they sound even better.

I prefered the sound qualtity of the 600e's to the 400e's. However the 400e's are more compact and thus easier to place.

I use the Krell Modulari Duos speakers with Krell evo 202 and evo 525 cd player and run Nordost cast cables and Synergistic Tesla Apex cables

There is no hum... They are perfect

Shipping was expensive as they are so heavy

The price diference was so huge between The States and Europe, that I made the plunge. I only had to pay local VAT on import. So I was okay with the import costs
Hi Jussy

Thanks for the infos and sorry for not replying as I was too busy and tired with my ladies, I has become a father just 2 days ago.

Regarding the Krell's, after so much consideration about voltage converter and shipping etc, I finally decided to buy a pair of Leema Acoustic Altair 4 monoblocks which I believe at least are as good as the Evo600/e. They made me very happy until now.

In addition, my Magico V2's will be home with me soon so I will have a great chance compare the V2's and MBL 121's.

Many thanks and best regards,

SR