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Transport Noise from Krell SACD Standard

What type of experience does anyone have using the Krell SACD Standard CD player and the transport noise it has particularly with Redbood CDs. Although sonically, this is one of the finest players I have ever heard and experienced yet, they must have some sort of issue with the Phillips transport they are using? I talked with Krell a few days ago and they simply stated that it would have to be something I would have to live with because they can't change the type of transport they have. They are familiar with the noise issue particularly at the first few tracks of a redbook CD can be noisy. Tell me about it. It is so noisy at times I can hear it over the music which is ridiculous for a $4000 CD player. This thing should be dead quiet with the CD transport.

Anyways, I am torn because I love this thing sonically. Plus you can do SACD and CD. Redbook CDs sound awesome.
Yet, should we have to put up with a noisy transport system on a $4000 CD player?

Has anyone had Krell replace the transport with any success?
This is a brand new SACD Standard.

Let me know if anyone has any experience with this and any positive results? Otherwise, I guess I will be returning this to the Krell dealer next week.
Thanks!
jadevision
pswcha
1 posts
 
I had a same problem and send unit to them twise and this is what they respond on second time...
With regards to the mechanical noises that you cite as the problem with this unit. As we have said in the past. We are aware that the Philips drive used in the SACD can be noisy on occasion during normal operation. While some of the blame for this noise can be pointed at the drive itself, a lot of the problem is in the inconsistency of the recording specification for both redbook CD's and also SACD's. To prove this point to you we made CDR of one of the disc's that you returned to us. If we play the original disc on the unit the drive makes noise. However if we then play the CDR copy of that same CD the drive is quiet. As a manufacurer for over 25 years we have always prided ourselves in putting out a quality product. However if is very difficult for us to try to counteract such a "disc to disc" variation is specification.
I sincerely apologize that we cannot give you a more definitive response regarding the nature of the noise problem.
this is what they respond.
bigcapo
5 posts
 
I have a 2-year old SACD Standard and haven't had any problem with it as described by all the respondends. I only hear a barely audible click when the CD is loading. I don't know what all the complains are all about. This is only a $4k unit, not $15k. Also, I disagree with anyone telling me that the Redbook playback is great.......it is not. I have been looking for a DAC in order to bypass the CD plaback of the Krell. The SACD plaback is fine; but the Redbook playback needs improving!!!!!
king50508eb3
3 posts
 
Bigcapo, what $4K SACD/CD Player have you heard that sounds better than the Krell Standard on CD Playback? I haven't heard any, that is why I bought the Krell, mostly for it's CD Playback/occasional SACD. I'm running it Balanced into other Krell equipment, this might explain my good results.
theaudiotweak
2,797 posts
 
King man I agree I haven't heard a better player for 4k or maybe double. I have two maybe three sacd's so the Redbook is what is great about the Krell. I run the Krell single ended with a Belles 21a and Harmonic Precision mono blocs all mechanically direct coupled. The Krell is very sensitive to changes in power cords and I find it sounding its best with no power line conditioning. Tom
jms_123
22 posts
 
An interesting fact is that Krell hasn't made a CD only Player since discontinuing the KPS28c and KAV-280p late in 2002. Since 2003, the only audio-only CD Player offered by Krell has been the Standard, up until this month's release of the Evolution SACD/CD Player @ 3X the price.
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