Krell vs Mcintosh

@rsf507 

+1

I've heard a lot of Mac amps and could never warm up to them

 Krell can sound awesome with the right gear/speakers also really like Bricasti amps.

I just bought the Mc611's for my Blades and love the way music comes alive at such low volumes.  That said, who's to say the Krell XD wouldn't be as good a fit in a different system?

@erik_squires 

+1

You really have to listen to any amps you are considering they sound completely different. Character could be the most important thing… as opposed to power. Krill and MacIntosh are very different… as is Audio Research and Luxman and Pass. All great amps… but with different character. 

I think the sound differences are going to be obvious, since I tolerate one but not the other. :D

Also if you are doing this consider listening to Luxman, Ayre and Pass. 

I just purchased a pair of MC611s. I could not extend my budget to the 1.25Ks. The baby 611s are incredible! The best bass/mid-bass I have ever heard, with a beautiful midrange. Being that I am a "bass head," the only other amp I heard that controls bass as well would be the Gryphon Diablo 300. I think my 611s are better; the highs of the Diablo can be a little bright, though. I have heard that the 1.25Ks are better in every way than the 611s. 

@avjunkie Greetings.  You could also consider the Hegel H30A (or H30 used).  1125 watts is mono but can also be run is stereo mode at +/- 450 watts per side.  I own them and love them.  Worth a look 

The recent Krell XD range with the iBias technology is amazing. My dealer who stopped selling them when they moved production to China in the early 2000s started carrying them again like 2 years ago. The Duo 300 XD with the matching preamp is already incredible, their monos must be really something.

Welcome to the forum, can you list your system? What speakers do you own, etc.