Best sounding Krell ?

The KAV-400xi is a decent Int. Amp., but cannot compare to the FPB-300cx or even the KAV-2250. When in direct comparison to a good Preamp./Amp. combo, the KAV-400xi sounds dead/lifeless/boring. The KAV-280p/KAV-2250 is a decent step-up. The KCT/FPB-300cx is a big step-up, and for comparison purposes, the PASS X1/X250.5 (my current rig) is in another league - as is Krell's own Evolution 202/302. Believe me, the differences were not subtle, there was no need to A/B - no critical listening is needed to discern this entry-level Int. Amp. from top-tier seperates.

The 300cx is a contender as well, if 300 watts/ch is enough for you, as it would be for almost any speaker. I have had it for 6 years and it has all the dynamics and bass for which Krell is famous, plus the sweetness and delicacy for which is previously was not. It's a keeper.

Neal

Lihifi, I've owned all of the above Krell gear and then some....the 400xi is exceptional sounding as long as you pair it with the right speakers. For demanding speakers, the higher power is necessary. I'm not sure anyone else has ever heard a 400xi used with a Transparent MM PC, MIT Oracle V2.2 IC's and spkr interfaces, HiFi tuning fuses, Mapleshade triplepoint footers & maple stand and the top casework off however! My krell res2 speakers have special crossovers that work with the amp by storing energy for each of the drivers so it is available as needed. My MIT interfaces also use the same principle, so the net effect is sonic purity (simplest signal path is best) with the sound of a much larger amp. Some reviewers have noted that the 400xi is actually more delicate and pure sounding in the upper registers. Overall, I like the FPB sound over the Evo rig I had. The new amps are overly complicated, have power filtration on board, are not Class A and react poorly with after market PC's. Parts quality is now off the shelf as well...no more custom Motorola QC'd discrete output devices.

Like Mgattmch, I would vote for the Krell KSA 250 as not only one of the best Krells, but one of the best ss amps.

I'm sure a stock one would have to be tuned up after all these years.

Lihifi,

"When in direct comparison to a good Preamp./Amp. combo, the KAV-400xi sounds dead/lifeless/boring"

This is simply untrue. The 400xi is an exceptional integrated and is anything but dead/lifeless/boring when compared to a good preamp/amp combo, unless you personally consider the KCT/400cx to be a poor preamp/amp combo, in which case this whole point becomes silly and not worth discussing.