Advice on Krell amplifier


I am planning to replace my 20 plus year old Audio Research amplifier with a solid state one (tired of dealing with tubes). I’m considering the McIntosh Mc312 and the Krell duo 175xd.  The Krell is highly recommended by a trusted dealer as having a “tube like” sound and going well with my other components.   My other equipment: Audio Research preamp and phono stage (which I plan to keep) KEF Reference 5 speakers, Innuous Zenith 3 server. I haven’t seen many comments or reviews of either the McIntosh or the Krell. I would appreciate any advice, including comments from people who have heard these amplifiers. Thanks. 
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Showing 1 response by thomascrownafair

Tube like is a dubious term...some tube amps are great some not so much. Same is true for solid state and many other items. Tesla P100 range with a very heavy foot and winter weather is well under 100 miles...no one tells you that upfront!  You need to be able to use and enjoy what your have. I have a complete Krell system Evo 202,525av, 600 monos, lat 1s, vanguard with dac without amp using transparent reference cables and couldn’t be happier unless work allowed more time to use it and volume setting 7 out of 151 didn’t give my wife a migraine in a 6600 sq ft home. Would I buy it again no! It is complete overkill and useless in my home or outside a recording studio. The rare moments I can enjoy it are few and far between but very satisfying. Even the cabinet had to be custom...needed burl wood to match grass cloth wallpaper, be able to support hundreds of pounds of items and complex cooling system to deal with heat as well as custom electrical outlets to offer isolated ground with 20a individual circuits for nearly each item.  

At at least it looks great and will most likely end up in my office.