Are Nakamichi amps any good?

Although both were designed by Nelson Pass, the Nakamichi amps are anything but Threshold wannabes. I can't say how much of an upgrade you can expect over the Krell (which is a very nice amp). You may be better off updating the Krell. If you buy a Nakamichi, you won't be disappointed! I was happy with my PA-7.

Nakamichi amps NEVER had a "reputation" for being unstable. They were a Nelson Pass design and well-respected when introduced, and still popular today.

When you spend a lot of time reading this forum, and others on the internet, you hear about individual issues with every manufacturer. Does that mean that every component is flawed and should be avoided? Of course not. It's one thing to say that a design had issues, but to say that Nakamichi amplifiers "had a reputation for being unstable and prone to failure" is simply NOT true!

Nakamichi amplifiers don't need defending. They were highly praised when they were introduced and still well-respected today. Ask someone who really owns one. If you can find one that hasn't been abused, and is selling in your price range, grab it it with both hands. You won't be disappointed.