MOON I-5 versus KRELL KAV 400XI

ok, thank you very much for your comments.

I'm not quite sure where a lot of people find the Krell KAV-400xi to be cold sounding. I never found that at all. Perhaps there are some people saying this without hearing it based on a supposed Krell reputation of being cold in the past or earlier versions such as the 300i being cold. I myself found it to be quite neutral or just ever so slightly leaning towards the warmer side. I lived with this piece for a number of months when I was a Krell dealer to evaluate it and was fairly impressed.

I found it interesting that "Soundstage!" also had the same finding in their recent review. "The KAV-400xi tends towards a slightly warm sound, never straying into a cool, sometimes clinical realm".

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/krell_kav400xi.htm

I've heard good things about the Moon I-5, but haven't listened to it myself, so sorry that I can't help you there.

I do however have another excellent option that you may want to consider. Feel free to email me if you're interested.

I owned the Moon I-5 on two occasions, 3 years apart. My first unit was somewhat dry, with good yet artificial bass, while the upper frequencies were a tad bright. I was a sucker for the design of the thing though, very nice.

Second I-5 was purchased on the supposed reputation that it was ''upgraded' and that is sounded better.

Finally, not much improvement was noticed. This integrated creates a spectacular, sparkling and lively sound. Great for short-term impressions. However, I found it to be dry, dark, unnatural and not very communicative of the music.

Great design still, but for sonics, the Moon sound just doesn't cut it for me.

More evidence, if any were needed, that different pairs of ears are tuned differently. I've heard both the Krell 400xi, and the SimAudio I-5 at home and elsewhere, albeit with different speakers and source.

I love the I-5, purchased used and without the upgrade now available. For me, the Krell was flat and lifeless, heard through some of the better JMlabs Speakers. But the dealer is a big fan, he sings in an excellent choral group, and I'd never diss his ears. One man's neutral is another man's flat.
For me, the I-5 has just the right balance of life, air, delicacy and agility with music enhanced by those qualities, to make an ideal match with many small-driver two-way speakers in modest sized rooms. No one can argue with the Krell build quality or power though.
happy hunting,
-paul-

Soory to hijack this thread..

what about Krell KAV400xi with Naim 202/200?

cheers