Krell Moves to new location

Yeah generally no mandate for private companies to have a Board of Directors, although it  can vary by state as to what functions a company must have. In a situation like Krell has gone through, I'm not surprised Rondi did not constitute a Board. I think it is also mute reinforcement that Bicking or any other investor did NOT have a significant financial interest in Krell. Invariably, someone putting  money into a business or someone with substantial ownership wants a Board and someone looking out for their financial interests.

@jea48 Kristopher is alive. I emailed him awhile back but he never responded. Owns auto repair shop.

Yeah generally no mandate for private companies to have a Board of Directors, although it  can vary by state as to what functions a company must have. In a situation like Krell has gone through, I'm not surprised Rondi did not constitute a Board. I think it is also mute reinforcement that Bicking or any other investor did NOT have a significant financial interest in Krell. Invariably, someone putting  money into a business or someone with substantial ownership wants a Board and someone looking out for their financial interests.

I’m sorry, but this is not how to run a company. How many customers shipped components needing repair to Krell before the doors closed? And how long must someone sit in limbo while the legal process continues. I’d hate to be someone who’s sitting in limbo not even knowing if their item or items is even going to be found! How is it Krell owners didn’t have their affairs in order before this happened. This is what not to do if you own any company!

This is one of the reasons I've started steering clear of these boutique audiophile companies that are one owner shows. Granted Krell had almost 50 employees compared to some companies that are 1-2 man operations. If the owner has a health issue or dies you are basically screwed. 

@willywonka if Krell would release their service schematics to third party technicians, servicing Krell products would not be an issue. 

if Krell would release their service schematics to third party technicians, servicing Krell products would not be an issue. 

Absolutely, one hundred percent. It is time Right to Repair laws are passed in all states to give folks back the control over how and where to have their gear maintained - gear they paid for and own. It is time rogue companies are put back in their place.

@willywonka I see your point, but that essentially makes you a Harman / Bose customer

@jea48 Arnold Martinez is no longer with Krell. Wasn't with them very long, Rondi hired him shortly before she died.

guy with shark teeth is calling: is it time to buy a used Krell amp?

@devinplombier I still don't understand why the vast majority of people need that law, most mainstream equipment is just cheap throwaway stuff anyway.

Notorious offenders include Apple, Tesla, and Krell. None of them makes cheap throwaway stuff. Not Krell and Tesla, anyway.

The main point is that you and I should decide what we do with our stuff, not a manufacturer we paid in full for the product we own.

Krell Service and Repair | George Meyer AV

Just brought my 350 MCX’s there for alignment One tech is the krell guy

Any of you guys hear anything out of Krell  yet?

Nothing but crickets.  Jonesin' for my amp back.  Tired of listening to the Harmon Kardon mono garage speaker.  Sigh...

Wouldn't it be funny to drive over there and a couple of guys are selling stuff out the back door. Just wacks of gear, parts even the tech bench tables 

"Harmon Kardon mono garage speaker" - There is no "o" in Harman ...

Maybe it's time for yall who've got gear held up hostage to start shaming Wm. Buelher on his personal social accounts. Get the grandkids and their friends to do it, whatever. Just sayin

If you go to their website, they have an update on opening that was updated on the 9th. About 3 — Your Site Title - krell.industries. Gotta hit the one I highlighted or you get a site that looks like Arabic. Update once again tells you absolutely nothing that hasn’t been said before, but allegedly it has new e-mail addresses for everything.

It is just flat out stupid and senseless business wise to have not specifically addressed this. 

@thecarpathian

Thanks for your post and the info above. I found the link you referenced and posted its ’contents’ below for everyone to read. Please see below the ======.

============================================

Krell Industries: Preparations For Reopening

(UPDATED 1/9/2025)

To our valued dealers and distributors,

We are pleased to inform you that Krell Industries is now in the process of reopening. This is a very complex matter, involving relocation and a number of legal issues which are in progress. Due to the unpredictable nature of filing Court documents, etc, we cannot provide a timeline. We are working toward re-opening, and an official announcement will be made in Stereophile Magazine.

As part of our commitment to enhancing your experience, we are migrating our digital infrastructure to a cloud-based platform. Due to the significant complexity involved, this process will take some time.

Unfortunately, our old domain, krellhifi.com, and related emails have been hijacked, and are no longer under our control. Remedies are being pursued. For the time being, please use our new website: krell.industries (no additional TLD).

We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of our new dealer portal, which will become an integral part of our sales and service process. Through this portal, you’ll be able to track purchase confirmations, shipping and delivery dates, service quotes, and more in real time. This portal is part of our broader initiative to modernize and digitize the purchasing and payment process, enhancing both ease and security for you, our valued dealers.

For now, please use the following emails for any inquiries:

• Info@krell.industries
• Sales@krell.industries
• Service@krell.industries
• Support@krell.industries
• Dealers@krell.industries

Please note that responses may be delayed until we are fully operational, as we continue to operate under limited capacity. We also ask for your patience as we finalize testing of our new website, as there may be some technical or user experience issues. (This work is ongoing.)

We greatly appreciate your continued patience and understanding, and we’re working diligently to reopen and resume full operations as soon as possible. Your support is invaluable, and we look forward to working with you again soon.

Thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,
Krell Industries

Wil Buhler
wkb@krell.industries

You're welcome.

It simply boggles my mind that they haven't uttered a peep about the status of everyone's gear in for repair or that it's even a concern. As was stated previously, irreparable damage.

Gotta hit the one I highlighted or you get a site that looks like Arabic.

That was Thai.

Unfortunately, our old domain, krellhifi.com, and related emails have been hijacked, and are no longer under our control.

If Krell had paid the $25 domain renewal fee maybe it would still be under their control? Also, whoever owns the domain name now is probably more than happy to sell it back for a fee, since that's the business they're in - selling domain names. But, no; instead:

Remedies are being pursued.

Hahaha sure

I just hope folks get their gear back soon.

It seems to me that Wil's careful wording indicate that he is under tight legal restrictions that might be out of his control. A gag order of some type comes to mind as he is seems to tiptoe his way forward.

@devinplombier ,

Ah, thanks.

Reading on facebook, Techs are back in the shop working on the backlog of units,other then that who knows

https://www.stereophile.com   Walter is coming back!

please see below the ==== for a copy of the above referenced article.  

@bulldogger, Thanks for finding and posting this article on Krell.

=====================================

"On June 18, 2024, Krell Industries closed temporarily after the unexpected death of owner and CEO Rondi D'Agostino; Krell has been in limbo ever since. According to Wil Buhler of family holdings company JF Bicking & Co, Krell's long-awaited reopening is within reach.

What’s been happening? Buhler offers an explanation. "JF Bicking's working relationship with Rondi gave her and us equal managerial control, even though she still held the majority share. With the death of her husband in August of 2024, that share has now gone to her heir.

"Through all subsequent negotiations with that heir, the invaluable help of former Krell Industries Vice-President Walter Schofield has enabled us to stick it out through less than cooperative behavior on the majority holder's part. Once matters are settled and we can start up again, Walter will come back onboard and help with the rebuilding and running of Krell.

"Within a day or so, we are planning to submit a formal offer to buy Rondi's outstanding majority share of Krell from her heir. Our lawyers, Royer, Cooper, Cohen and Braunfield (RCCB Law), are pretty confident that we will succeed.

"Once we've conferred with Walter, we will submit our formal offer to buy Krell. Ultimately, we think the courts will intervene. We're requesting the courts to appoint an independent third-party administrator to handle Rondi's estate so that we can proceed with reopening Krell. Our next hearing is next week, between February 3 and 7. That's when an independent administrator will be appointed if the heir has not yet accepted our formal offer for purchase."

Meanwhile, Buhler informs Stereophile readers, krell.industries is the legitimate website for Krell Industries. "The former website, krellhifi.com, has been hijacked," he says. 

What about Krell equipment sent in for repair? Willie Barnett, Krell's longtime repair technician, continues to be affiliated with the company, active on the Krell Owners and Enthusiasts Facebook group, and hard at work. "All Krell equipment previously submitted for repair is safe and currently being fixed," Buhler assures Krell owners. "Product will be sent back to the owners once repairs are complete."

Stereophile has contacted Rondi’s heir and will update this story if and when comment is received. The announcement of the official reopening of Krell Industries will be shared on this site. Please stay tuned".

Good news.  There's light at the end of the tunnel.

Customers should have been given more information and communication prior to this, even though it's good news for customers who have been waiting for their gear to be repaired and returned. Too much, too little too late, I think. I don't believe their reputation will ever really recover from this.

@roxy54 I agree "the hour is late." But I don't think it's too late. I really like the sound of the Krell XD stuff. I am hoping that the development of the flagship stereo and monoblock amp's tech will trickle down to new lower priced amplifiers to replace the XD series. Walter is back but let's also hope Dave Goodman will come back to do this designing. These are really wonderful relaxed, smooth, natural sounding amplifiers. The XD series is several years old now. New designs and products are just as important, in the future, as getting restarted is now.

Great to hear that Walter is back if KRELL rises back up. I bought my 300i and 175XD after emailing him a few times. Sold both but wish I still had at least one of them.

Hopefully, Dave Goodman is back too,