Universal vs. CDP & DVD???

Dbld, I have had much the same experience as you with Krell. I had written them off hearing their older gear - it always sounded etchy and non-involving to me. That all changed when I heard the kav400xi, I think they took a step in the right direction - a good sounding 'budget' integrated!

Listen for yourself and trust your own ears!

I have heard many comments like the one above, yet my own experience with recent Krell products is quite opposite. I cannot attest to Krell's earlier components since I have never listened to them, but my guess is they sounded bright and/or edgy based on repeated duplicate descriptions. Of the Krell gear I have demoed [without any intent to buy] I have been impressed enough to become a Krell owner myself. Believe me when I say I was biased against Krell because of its Agon reputation. Furthermore, I feel their gear is rather ugly and too high priced for me. Nevertheless, I couldn’t ignore all of the improvements to my system’s sound [OK, the FPB-300C needs to warm-up longer than I'd like]. Of course, I have only bought used pieces since I am to cheap to buy new.

I have listened to the Showcase DVD in my system, but I do not own one. I liked it. To me, it sounded very similar [not the same] to the Lexicon RT-10 which I did own for quite some time. I liked the Lexicon and feel it is underrated. I own an Esoteric DV-50 now, a controversial player I know, but it offers me the best all around performance after trying many different players [Meridian G98, Lexicon RT-10, Showcase DVD, Denon 3910, Modwright SS 3910, Integra DPS 10.5, Simaudio Moon Orbiter…]. This is simply my own experience in my own system. BTW, the Meridian was surprisingly good.

I would urge you to ask your dealer if you could take the player home for at least a night to try it out in your own system. I never really have been able to tell much when I try something in a store. A Krell dealer should appreciate your request.

Mapleleafs3...please go easy on me...it's just my opinion/experience...

krell is not the way to go. Do you enjoy the sound of nails scratching a black board. Wake up to many choices to settle for overpriced overhjyped Krell