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Should I Upgrade My Krells

Here are the details. I have a Krell 150A Amplifier, Krell 250P Pre-Amplifier, Cary 303/200 CD Player, Vienna Acoustic Bachs, AudioQuest Viper XLRs throughout. Some Very Thick Monster Cable speaker wire (M100 series I think). I bought the Krells off of E-Bay in ABSOLUTE pristine condition 1 1/2 years ago. I will say that my Bachs are HERE TO STAY as I'm a silk dome tweeter fan as well as a Vienna fan! IMHO, nothing sounds better than Vienna. . . again MY personal opinion. Also, the Cary is quite phenominal!!!

When I purchased the Krells on E-Bay, I paid $2,150.00. When new, both units went for $4,800.00.

It has been said that sometimes Krell can be a bit too agressive and that may be true (I don't know with authority). If this is in fact the case, I believe that since the Bachs and Cary are very much laid back, this offsets the brashness of the Krells. I think the Krells do well in producing bass on my Bachs especially since they have no bass driver, but rather are ported on the back. IMHO, I feel as thought the midrage is positively intoxication and the high end can be likened to mercury. If I had one complaint, it would be imaging. I wished that my system was able to do this more effectively!!!

I went to audition the Mozarts side by side to the Bachs at my local Tweeter store. To my amazement, I truly believe the Bachs sounded better! Further, the set up I heard at the store which included B&K electronics and a no name cd player sounded better than my home system???? In short, I experienced far better imaging than my home system???? Can B&K be on the same level as Krell in this aspect?? I know my Cary is not in question as it's about as good as it gets at the price point I paid.

This all being said, should I replace the Krells? I don't want to sacrifice what I already have in Bass, Midrange, and Treble. I want to improve the imaging as I know that can be done and have heard it demonstrated!!

Any advice would be welcomed!

Itch
itch

Showing 3 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I would say yes, replace the Krells. I've never been a Krell fan. I am a fan of Vienna Acoustics however. I've recently sold my Beethovens and my Strauss are due in anyday now. I can't wait. I currently use a Classe CP-60 preamp with a Threshold T400 amp, which I believe is much more musical combo then the Krells. Krell is probably more dynamic and powerful, but too aggressive, and to my ears, a tad harsh. I use Tara Labs Decade cables.
I would think a tubed preamp may allow you to keep the Krell amp and be happy. Audition a Cary, CJ, or BAT to name a few. That may be the easiest way to go.

Regards,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Nrchy, it's a matter of different taste. Harsh is a harsh word. Some like their equipment to be 'detailed' or 'revealing'. What may be detailed and revealing to one person is bright and harsh to another. The other side of the coin is some prefer a 'warm' or 'musical' sound. What may be warm and musical to one, may be dull or uninvolving to another. It comes down to a matter of balance and individual tastes. That's all. I admit I prefer a warmer sound to a revealing sound. You may not, that's your right. It's your money and you should be entitled to spend it as you see fit. Don't let anothers opinion of your system bother you. I actually enjoy it when a established audio magazine doesn't like something I like, because then I know the price will be falling and I can get it for less.
I was simply offering a suggestion. You're welcome to disagree with it. FWIW, I have owned a Krell DAC many years ago, and I have auditioned Krell amps and preamps in my system and others, I simply don't care for them. Nothing nasty. I'm not trying to start a Krell war, they're just not my cup of tea. That doesn't mean you're not entitled to enjoy them. If they make you want to listen to music more, then they are successful.

Regards,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
@4425 , you do realize this thread is over 14 years old, don't you?
Good chance that the "Itch" has been scratched by now. ;^)
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