Krell S-150M Mono Blocks

Thanks Cio52.

Steve Stone (TAS) loved them, but they are the "baby" krells and I wonder about power handling/capabilities

I've switched my sights on the Krell S-150 Mono amp to the Krell S-275 Stereo amp here If anyone has any experience with this amp, I would appreciate some input.

I'm using a Class D amp currently (PS Audio GCC-250) and I plan on returning to A/B operation. Since my budget is $5,500 and I want as much power as I can afford, this Krell has peaked my interest. According to Steve Stone (TAS) the S-150 has extremely good highs and mid-range, as well as the renowned Krell bass control. The S-275 is based on identical circuitry…

Since I’m driving Krell speakers (Resolution IIs), I assume that Krell amps will be a good match. I’m certainly open to other SS amp choices, but I am interested in hearing about this particular amp. I would also invite opinions, or comparisons, about similarly priced SS amps (based on firsthand experience of course).

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Big holiday cheers…!

_Ben

Thanks Richard, I appreciate your input. I remember hearing great things about the FPB series...boy, they are massive!

The first thing I am going to do, is to take my Class-D amp to the dealer and compare it with the Krell (my dealer will have an S-275 in after the holidays). I have read that even the newer Class-D amps (which my GCC-250 is not...it is circa 2005, with an ICE-based design) give up some latitude in the upper frequencies and are said to be less open and airy (i.e.: three-dimensional)…even grainier than their solid state counterparts. If I do not hear more than a very subtle difference, I will gladly save my $5,500. If I hear the kind of difference that I did when comparing the new McIntosh MC-203 (SS) to the Krell Evo 402e, then I will definitely consider the purchase. In that comparison, the difference between the Krell and the Mac (not really a fair comparison considering the Krell costs more than three times what the Mac does) was literally night and day…the Krell providing so much more detail, clarity and openness in the upper frequencies, and noticeably better controlled bass. This very discernable difference was exciting to me.

I have no idea how my PS GCC-250 will fair in comparison with the smaller Krell (and even the Mac MC-203), but I am anxious to find out. In the mean time, I really appreciate input from my brethren A-Goners!!

Merry Christmas Richard…

_Ben

David:

Indeed, we are on a very similar quest!

After being prompted by my dealer, who recently picked up the McIntosh line, I went in to hear the new Mac MC-302. As a reference, we were comparing the 302 to a Krell Evo 401e (certainly not a fair comparison, but an excellent reference). The Mac is so darn cool looking (and built like a tank) that I was hoping I would like it. The difference between the 302 and the Evo 402e however, was literally night and day. The upper frequencies were presented so much better via the Krell (as was the bass) that I immediately decided against the Mac. Unfortunately, the Evo series is out of my budget range.

Now, I don’t image the S-275 is going to compete with the bigger (and more expensive) Evo amps, but if it sounds anywhere near as good as the 402e, then I am going to seriously consider buying it. Next week I am going to take my amp (PS Audio GCC-250 – class-D) into my dealer and do a little “shoot-out” with the S-275, the Evo 402e, my amp and the Mac. I’ll post my findings, so stay tuned.

I too will appreciate learning about your findings. Please do post your comments or feel free to email me via the members section.

Thanks.

_Ben

Thanks David. I did indeed read your post "after a year," and I appreciate it. I too like my S-275 better than many amps I've heard and had in my system at similar prices. I do prefer the bigger (and better...much more pricey too...) Krell Evo 402e. I hear similarities in the S-275 that are high points of the big bad 402e. Al in all a good little amp that does a lot of things right for the investment.

Cheers.

_Ben