Anyone heard the Krell KCT Preamp?

Just to say going on five years later that the KCT/400cx combo continues to improve sonically with the CS6s. I enjoy this system completely and have had absolutely no problems with it nor do I have any desire to upgrade/degrade or otherwise!

Cheers!
Steve

Stevecham, I love the fact that you have offered followed up years later to your early posts and that you are still in love with the system - after 5 years that says a lot about the performance.

Too often one reads a great review and then 6 months later another great review of another piece that replaced the previous great piece.

Stevecham,
Have you ever heard the Krell Evo 707 and the other Evo preamps ? How does these new preamps compare with the KCT when teamed with an FPB amp? I am getting a pair of FPB-350MCX, and is mulling over what preamp will be the best. The user review below apparently rave about the 707 improvement over the KCT.

It is really possible to make such vast improvement over the KCT when was touted as "the most transparent" preamp during its time ? I am looking for something that sound as close to "realistic" as possible.

There is of course the issue of amp synergy which is important. Will Krell Evo preamp synergise optimally with the older FPB series ?

What is your opinion of the FPB-350MCX ?
Many Thanks

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=990143&page=7

Compare the pre amp section to the Krell KCT(my previous preamp), it is no contest. The 707 improvement over the KCT is immediately evident and obvious

Carz, I have had the FPB-350mcx monoblocks for a while. You will love them. About 18 months ago I purchased an EVO-222 preamp. This was a definite step up from the Krell Showcase pre-pro that it replaced. I ran CAST between the EVO222 and the FPB monoblocks. After a few months of heavy listening, I decided to sell the preamp and replace it with a KCT. The main reason was that while the detail was mesmerizing with the EVO, it was also very dry and "clinical" for lack of a better word. The KCT is a different animal, and while it is a step down from the EVO preamp in the Krell lineup, I am very pleased with the synergy created along with the Krell FPB amps. Stevecham is a hundred times better at describing the KCT than I could ever be, but he hits the nail on the head squarely. His initial review is exactly how I feel about my KCT. It disappears. The music is pure liquid, it no longer is about the components but about the artist and the performance. I've had the KCT for about a year now and as I already said, I couldn't be happier.

The Krell KCT is still one of the top preamps (don't let anybody tell you different or fill you with dry, shrill, warm descriptions). Get one and move on. Just listening to all of this --- one is better than the other tube versus solid state is all a bunch of bull -- The trick is to know you are getting a great preamp and now you can concentrate on another great source or speaker and of course your music.
At this level of performance/cost if you can afford it -- You know you are getting ONE of the best (everybody arguing about what sounds better at this level -- Don't listen to them--- That goes with most components of other manufactures also -- There top of the line products are usually great.
I can afford anything and I love my Krell system with CAST.
KCT, KPS-28c, FPB amps... CAST cables, LAT-2 speakers.
Great SYSTEM -- oh and I enjoy the music not wondering if Mcintosh, or CJ, or other very very good products are better.
I have had other products by the above and have enjoyed them all - no bad experiences -- I will not put them down or say stupid stuff like it blows away each other (childish). At this level and with my money who cares. (Remember My Krell cast is a system not a bunch of different company products wired together with different cords and then different speakers -- nobody seems to tell you that -- stick with a good company and go for it -- The real trick is spend your money on some really good speakers -- that is another topic -- go with krell, Martin Logan, Wilsons,....etc speakers and you can be confident your sound is really close to the best out there -- Really -- and please I am not talking about 100 decibal producing wall-size speakers in a 40' x 40' size room -- I'am talking about an average room 11' - 15' x 18' - 24' with decent normal everyday acoustics (no sound Treatments).
I have had KSA series to the Evo series and loved every minute. People who say they sound shrill or warm is a bunch of noise -- This type of equipment is best used with other great pieces usually very expensive.
One more thing if you are looking for discounted items or think something is way over priced -- go with a great dennon, or sony ~ something you can afford -- Regardless of what they say you can still get a great sound from some of there products at there price point (I love my Sony Es receiver and also have a dennon system).
Just to let you know I also have (had) CJ, Mark Levinson, MBL (love their speakers), Martin Logan, Focal, Sony and Yamaha -- All of them sounded great for their price points.
Once you get to the expensive companies your at a 90% level of what can be heard (Love this area)-- the rest is whether its raining outside or full sunshine.
This idea of one company blows another company away is crap.
By the way I am not a Krell Salesman -- People who slam krell, or any of the high-end products usually can't afford them -- made in china, runs hott, 3 dimensional, my sony sounds as good as a krell -- Think what is being said.
Krell KCT is a great preamp and if you buy one you will have selected one of the best in the WORLD -- Period.

My Krell All Cast System: KCT Preamp; KPS-28c CD; FPB-200c ~ age 6 yrs old -- Krell Lat-2 Speakers and a JL subwoofer. Krell EVo 300 -- can't tell a lot of difference but it does sound great (treated room); Lamm amps nice but tube upkeep -- all of my equipment gets me to the 90% and above realm...

Sounds as good as my Large system.

Thanks,
Just An opinion