I have the 400xi & SACD combo which continues to bring my much joy. I can share my experience with the krell only - I have never heard the primare - Matching is very important which is true for any set up - I agree that you would be better off with a more laid back speaker - The Krell has a lot of detail especially with the SACD player - I am using vienna Acoustic speakers and love that combo - I have recently purchased a pair of Sonus Faber grand Piano Domus and the older Wall homes which will be used in a A/V room i've been putting together - I gave them a good listen in my 2 channel set up and again a really good match but I prefer the vienna's - Probably because the system has been dialed in with cabling for the vienna's - I am using Cardas Golden Cross speaker cables which were tremendous for adding warmth also making the system way more forgiving - But Bad recordings are Bad recordings - also made a mistake early on by plugging the 400xi into a current limiting AC conditioner - It choked the amp compressed, the highs, not good - I switched to a shunyata Hydra and my draw dropped - It was that noticeable - even the wife said - It sounds much fuller - Well that it's my 2 cents...TONY - Also, hope to someday get one of those monster krells
