Krell KAV400 VS Musical Fidelity A300 A 3.2 A3.5

To each his own. I spent a lot of time and money on "revealing", "nuanced", "accurate", "detailed", and the coda: a quote from The Matrix: "You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize? [Takes a bite of steak] Ignorance is bliss." I concluded I like what sounded good over what really was 8 days a week.

Unforgiving is another of those words poorly used to describe audio. It means nothing. If it is intended to mean that it reveals nuances in the performance of components upstream in the system, then that is how it should be termed.

As I said earlier, I own both of these amps and have immediate and present experience with both, in my home, in my system. To me, the Krell presents a less colored version of the recorded performance than does the MF. The MF has what I hear as a mid bass bump that adds what some might term "warmth." My personal preference is to hear recordings the way they turned out, and to able to separate the "wheat from the chaff." Many recordings do not sound good primarily because they were poorly produced. The last thing I want is a system that artificially colors the music in a way that does not let me hear it as intended, for better or worse. Others may desire such artifical coloring to try and "hide" blemished production values and I respect that. To me, such an approach eventually becomes fatiguing. But the Krell is no more "forgiving" of music than the MF, which simply colors it more so as to provide what I perceive as artificial warmth in this quite audible portion of the frequency spectrum. Some may desire this.

By the way I listen to vinyl 50% of the time and have an EAR834P phono pre that "warms" up the vinyl presentation. Again the Krell provides an "auditory view" into this setup that is accurate; I wouldn't have it any other way.

Also I listen to jazz, rock, classical, electronica and I have always maintained that any system should be able to play back all styles equally well. Otherwise there is something askance and will eventually lead to disatisfaction.

I listen to LPs exclusively. Dos it mean I better go with more forgiving MF?

The difference is clear if you listen to them. Both have their adherents. I would highly recommend listening to both to see which sound you like. Krell - forward, detailed, unforgiving. You'd better have a good source because the Krell will let you know every flaw. MF - warmer sounding but not exactly the tube warmth but it seems they're designed to have some sort of "presence." Rounder, somewhat fuller. The highs can be just as etchy as the Krell but are somewhat covered by the fuller lower end.
If you have a great, and I mean really good, digital source and don't listen to a lot of boosted, compressed music then I'd go with the Krell. Otherwise if you want something more forgiving the MF.

DAVE
Curious where you get the tuning fuses?
Would like to try with my Krell.
I live in the woods.

klaudio

Stevecham, try taking off the top casework of the 400xi. Also, mapleshade triplepoint heavyfeet into a wood (maples best) sub-platform does wonders. If you ever get a chance to buy a used Transparent MM PC it will astound you! Lastly, use HI FI 8amp large tuning fuses for maximum performance. The only expensive piece is the Transparent PC...and I wouldn't run mine with any other power cord:)

I just replaced my less than six months old Musical Fidelity A5 with a KAV400xi and am very glad I did.

I can't believe I'm responding to you after I just slammed you over your ignorance about PC's and fuses. Anyway, the 400xi is potentialy one of the finest pieces ever made when set up properly. One has remained in my system despite more than a few high end systems coming and going over the years.

I would step up to the Musical Fidelity A5. I have recently downsized from some nice separates and have no regrets. These come onto Audiogon occasionally for about $1500. This unit is extremely musical but also very detailed with deep punchy bass and very nice imaging and soundstaging. Just my .02.
Tim