Wow, 'good' is a little soft at this level......
I have owned most every high end pre-pro ever made (except the Theta) tho I have heard it in several very 'good' systems.
The Krell Evo 707 is amazing, and if I wasn't getting divorced and needed quick cash to finance a sick attorney, would still have it! The bottom end is so solid and controlled, and is is as good a 2 channel pre (well, of solid state) as you can find in a pre/pro (I still used and aRC Ref 40th in HT passthrough for HT with it as I had it but.....) The build of the Krell is insane! The thing weighs a small ton, and runs hot in idle! Definitely not a green piece of gear.
The Theta is awesome as well, very musical and open, I wouldn't put much faith into the 'continuously upgradable' thing, that has always fell to the wayside. Well, except for Meridian, but the HD621 is a patch in most peoples mind....... The Meridian is one to also consider. It is the smoothest and lushest pre/pro made, and I love the computer set up system! There is a learning curve, but it is not too steep and once you know the steps, you have TONS of flexibility in your set up!
To sum up, the Krell has the tightest bass, plenty of space. Meridian smoothest and most liquid of the three, Theta is sort of in between to me, very good, somewhat analytical presentation, very open.
FWIW I now use a Classe' SSP-800 now and kept the ARC 40th anniversary for two channel. If I went back to a 'single box' solution for my preamp, I would buy the Krell again.
The Evo 707 is the one piece of gear I miss, it is amazing!
I have owned most every high end pre-pro ever made (except the Theta) tho I have heard it in several very 'good' systems.
The Krell Evo 707 is amazing, and if I wasn't getting divorced and needed quick cash to finance a sick attorney, would still have it! The bottom end is so solid and controlled, and is is as good a 2 channel pre (well, of solid state) as you can find in a pre/pro (I still used and aRC Ref 40th in HT passthrough for HT with it as I had it but.....) The build of the Krell is insane! The thing weighs a small ton, and runs hot in idle! Definitely not a green piece of gear.
The Theta is awesome as well, very musical and open, I wouldn't put much faith into the 'continuously upgradable' thing, that has always fell to the wayside. Well, except for Meridian, but the HD621 is a patch in most peoples mind....... The Meridian is one to also consider. It is the smoothest and lushest pre/pro made, and I love the computer set up system! There is a learning curve, but it is not too steep and once you know the steps, you have TONS of flexibility in your set up!
To sum up, the Krell has the tightest bass, plenty of space. Meridian smoothest and most liquid of the three, Theta is sort of in between to me, very good, somewhat analytical presentation, very open.
FWIW I now use a Classe' SSP-800 now and kept the ARC 40th anniversary for two channel. If I went back to a 'single box' solution for my preamp, I would buy the Krell again.
The Evo 707 is the one piece of gear I miss, it is amazing!