Hegel H390 vs Krell Vanguard digital integrates amps

@yyzsantabarbara I just order Krell k3000i from Illinois (Chicago) and will arrived on next Wednesday.and I will test. Krell internal dac to see how good they’re.if not then I will followed yours path way to buy AMT2SE. @yyzsantabarbara in 1 to 10 scales.how many scale you gave Krell internal vs AMT2SE? I have no good source like AMT2SE to compare them.But I will compare them with Helge H390 and McIntosh MA252 amps.I appreciated you for good efforts to test them and provide very detailed each Item you have own.

@luckyrainbow63 Problem with asking me is I may influence your decision. You could very well be happy with the internal DAC on the KRELL and not have the reaction I had.

With the tests I did will the 3 DACs and 3 streamers I came to some conclusions about the 3 DACs I have in the office.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/check-in-how-quickly-are-streamers-and-servers-evolving/post?...

To summarize, the DAC3B and the AMT3SE while different in tone both had zero fatigue for me and were wonderful sounding. The DAC3B with both the KRELL and Benchmark stack. The AMT3SE with the KRELL. I likely will re-visit the AMT3SE with the Benchmark stack but my first test with that was not that positive. The AMT3SE may have not been properly broken-in with the pairing with the BM stack. I did that some time back.

The KRELL internal DAC had a slight bit of fatigue for me, even with my best USB streamer. I am very sensitive to this so it may not apply to others. I was a little disappointed in this result. If I did not have these 2 other great DACs I would likely be happy with the internal KRELL DAC. However, since I have these "better" DACs I will use those 2 over the internal KRELL DAC in all cases except watching video for the audio signal via the HDMI.

Congrats on the KRELL and please post your thoughts on it.

One thing that I do not have is an EtherREGEN for the cleanup of Ethernet signal. A somewhat controversial device but the RJ45 steamer of the KRELL is theoretically an ideal candidate for that device.

@luckyrainbow63 I did some more test tonight with the DAC3B vs the AMT3SE on the Benchmark stack. The AMT3SE does not match perfectly sonically with the BM stack with respect to the gain (or some other connectivity issue). The sound is lower than the DAC3B which required me to increase the volume to match the DAC3B. In all instances of music I listened to I preferred the DAC3B with the BM stack. The AMT3SE sounded a little veiled on the BM stack.

On the KRELL, the AMT3SE sounded great and had nice synergy with that unit. However, I am going to spend the next month listening to the internal DAC on the KRELL with my best streamer. The internal DAC may need more hours of burn-in so I want to make sure I have not rushed to judgement on this DAC.

If the internal DAC steps up in quality in the next month then the AMT3SE will go for sale. If the internal DAC is deemed good enough I should consider the EtherREGEN to try the RJ45 network streaming and free up one of my fibre streamers for my downstairs..

Hi @yyzsantabarbara Mine Krell k300i just arrived and I just do set up last night.I do like the Krell very much.and I also have few problems with the Krell set up because it's a first time I own Krell equipment.first of all I hook up both hdmi from my oppo 103 to both krell hdmi on back and number 3 hdmi from krell hdmi (arc) out put  to my 60inches 4k tv.and I also connected analog interconnect from oppo 103 to s2 krell and plug in my mp3 usb (I collect now what I call music fr volume 1 to 65)to back oppo player. Everything seem right but there is problems is when I press krell remote changing to s2 (anolog)suddenly the sound out loud from both speakers very loud like you turn on maximum The volume. AndI I cannot turn down the volume down.I have to switched back to hdmi to turn volume down?that mean I can't control volumes on analog side (no matter u turn volume up or down is not working).have you got that problem?and problem #2 is if I plug in usb to front USB A on screen tell me usb disconnected?(may be krell didn't recognizing my usb.I have to take out usb and plug in back of my oppo players its work? Problem #3 when I turn on power on Krell k300i I hear a clip sound came out from my speakers .there's no clipping sound when turn on off on McIntosh ma252 or Hegel h390? You got same problems like me?