All I can really say is that I have kept my all Krell system for many more years than all my other tube and SS gear. I like the quickness and detail that the Krell has but it has alot to do with cables to. I use a AVS, KSA-300S, ref phono, and Purist Audio Proteous cables with B&W N802's. I used to own Atmashpere and VTL tube amps but when I heard what great SS could sound like in a good accousticaly treated room, I felt why mess with tubes anymore. The vinyl sounds really excellent also so that can help out a little with harshness. I have not been thinking of trading up on the new Krell though since I am plenty happy now and don't want to be sorry like many times before.
Krell questions and comments
Hi folks:
Krell is one those love it or hate it products. As a longtime tube person they are very far from my favorite form of amplification.
However, I do feel that the company's build quality and committment to making technological strides in solid state is as important as many other firms whose solid state products I feel sound much better. I have always wanted to share with you my views about the solid state jungle even though tubes are clearly superior to my ear.
The best solid state amps I've heard in terms of sonic performance are from Musical Fidelity, Pass, the new iteration of Threshold and Krell last. Each different. Each presenting it's own interpretations of music and the vision of the designers who build them.
Krell is amplifier on steroids. I've always found the sound to be full of energy and speed at everything thrown at them. Each recording is presented like running a 40 yard dash rather than the "marathon" of listening over a long period. To put it another way: Krell presents a sonic picture that is like a jolt of sugar through your body that gives you energy amd enjoyment but only for a short time. When it wears off you are left with a grating and very fatiquing sound that doesn't discriminate, the way that the best tube amplifiers do, between the minut and large differences between recordings harmonics and low level energy, midrange richness and bass that is congruent with the rest of the music and not so energetic as to supersede the rest of the audio band.
Can I tolerate Krell's sound and like it over short periods of listening? Yes! Would I welcome an example as a solid state companion to have within an audio system? Yes to that as well. Which leads to my question; Do the older Krell amplifiers have something over the newer in terms of sound such as the KSA-100 etc? Any views on how the sound has evolved from then? I have only heard recent technology.
As always thanks for reading.
D.H.