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Vintage Krell Amp... Which would you choose?

I am in the market for a new amp, and I was thinking instead of purchasing something new, why not purchase a preowned amp. I always admired the krell sound, but it was just way to expensive. I would like to know if there was "ONE" krell amp either class A or SS that you can go back in time and purchase, which one would it be? It will be paired with Martin Logan's.

Thanks,


matt00

Showing 3 responses by rcprince

rcprince
3,061 posts
 

Assuming that I had the money and a pair of Duntech Sovereigns, the Krell I would have wanted would be the original KRS monoblocs.  That was the best combination I ever heard with that loudspeaker.  However, that monster amp also melted the drivers on my dealer's Thiel CS5 speakers when something went wrong with it, so it came with its perils.  I would echo Cz's warning, while I prefer the older Krells that ran in class A, they would at this point in time need to be refurbished, not a cheap proposition.  If you want a used Krell, the more recent FPB series would be my choice.

rcprince
3,061 posts
 
Dsper:  I admit to not being a fan of the "S" series of Krell amps, which were the first to use the sustained plateau biasing technology.  I feel the earlier KSA 250 was far better sounding than any of the S series, and that the FPB series were also far better.  And FWIW, I don't think the 200s would be able to get the best out of Thiel CS5s--a KSA 250, MDA 300 or FPB 400 would be better able to handle the low impedances in the Thiels.
rcprince
3,061 posts
 
That might be enough, but I still prefer models other than the "S" series.  They might have been more neutral than the KSA250/MDA 300 amps, but to me they sounded almost sterile, lifeless in comparison.  Guess I'm a fan of distortion.
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