Krell KAV-250a/3 or KAV-500?

Are the three channels for the front 3 speakers (L-R-C) or for the Center and surrounds/rears? If you are looking for a 3-channel amp for the LCR speakers I would recommend the 250. If you are looking for an amp for the center and surrounds then I would throw in the 500. But this partially depends on what amp you are driving the front LR speakers. With 2 of the channels bridged to one on the 500, it is supposedly rated at 400 watts per channel. In my opinion, others may certainly differ, if you are running 3 channels for the front 3 speakers having similar power to each in this case is probably a better move (ie. the 250). Of course the 500 gives you great flexibility running all 5 channels (vs. bridging) and allows for you to use 2 of these channels for a second zone as well (assuming you only need three for the main zone).

I had a Kav-500 3-channel driving my center and rears for a couple of years...a nice little amp. I would guess that the two amps have the same sonic signature...the Kav-250 would have a good deal more, "power to spare"....you may want to consider this factor in?

The 3-channel Kav-500 has a 1 kva transformer, and is rated as 120 watts at 8 ohms load....240 watts at 4 ohm load. It's sound is highly detailed, but not, "over the top" bright (still, maybe not a good match with some tweeters)...pretty good bass too, for only a baby Krell.

Dave

This will be for the fronts and center.

I would go with more power then. The Kav-250 probably has twice the transformer size of the Kav-500...the center and mains will hit it hard, as that is where most of the sound is in movies.

I used a Ksa-250 with my Kav-500...Apogee Duettas for mains, and Apogee Centaur Minor for center, and rear duty....this was a few years back....(early multichannel SACD days).

Dave

I concur, with Sogood51, without a doubt for the front 3 speakers.

Is power the only factor for that? The Thiels are 4 ohm speakers, so the KAV-500 would be giving them 240 wpc. The recommended power for the speakers is 50-150 watts. It seems like even the KAV-500 would be plenty, and the 500 wpc at 4 ohms that the KAV-250a would provide would be excess.

I did hook the Kav-500 to my 4ohm Apogee Duetta Signatures while I owned it. As I stated, the Kav-500 usually drove my center, and rears...a Krell Ksa-250 drove the Duetta Signature front L+R speakers at that time.

The little Kav-500, had no problem driving the "fairly large" Apogee panels to quite hi spl's in my room. I'm not up to speed on the Thiel CS 1.5s though?

Dave

I found an old Stereophile review of your speakers, the Kav-500 will drive them with ease.

BTW...use balanced connections with Krell amps.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I'll definitely check out balanced connections. I have an integrated amp now (an old Creek), so I don't have amp to preamp interconnects. I'll have to demo a few different things to see what I like the best.

Other than power, do you think there are any differences between the KAV-250a and KAV-500? I've listened to the 3250 and know I like that, but for financial reasons I'm going to be going with something a bit older. The 250a goes for a bit more than the 500, but if there's a marked difference in sound quality it would be worth it. If not, I'll go with the 500, and use the extra cash for media.

Donnelly asked:

"Other than power, do you think there are any differences between the KAV-250a and KAV-500?"

I don't know, my best guess would be that they sound a lot, a like. The biggest difference in sound, between amps cut from the same cloth (IMHO) is the difference between their power supply/transformer size. This would come into play (or not)...depending on the speakers used, room size, spl's required...ect. At normal listening levels (75-85db) I would expect, that the Kav amps sound similar.

The Kav-500 "does not" sound like the old Ksa-250 I had. The Ksa-250 had a relaxed tonal presentation...the Kav-500 has a more forward sound, more detailed (lots of twinkle)... I never thought it bright though. I liked mine.

As I mentioned above, though. If I had speakers with tweeters, that were "a little over the top" in the treble area of reproduction....they would now be, more so.

You could try the Kav-500?...the three channel Kav goes for around $1,300-$1,400 used...pretty easy to sell, easy to ship if you don't like it, (50 lbs or so).

I paid $1,400 for mine, sold it a couple years latter for $1,400.

Dave

Thanks a bunch, Dave. That was very useful input. Just what I needed.