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
I've owned many amps, including tubes from Audio Research and Fourier but, I love my Krell FPB 600c.
The new Krell's do not sound like tubes, If your a tube guy as you say then you must know that no SS amps could ever sound like a tube. They can however give that same smooth, glare free no-fatigue listening experience that the best tube amps can give, the Krell's can do this. Lets face it, theirs just a little to much tube ( bloat, noise, midrange exaggeration) in poor tube amps and way to much (sand) in a poor designed SS amp. Once a person learn's this through experience and listening to both types of amps. As a poster said yesterday, if people spent more time and money on their rooms they might just find that their choice's in audio gear has become much wider and more flexible.