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Wanted: Lightweight Krell KSA-100 Clone????

Until recently, every component in my stereo system was >30 years old; the relevant ones being Krell KSA-100 and Thiel CS3.6 that I purchased new in the 80s.

After ditching the old Pioneer Elite CD player, WADIA DAC, and KRELL PAM-5 preamp, I started streaming TIdal Premium > Node 2i > Dennafrips Ares II > the Krell>Thiels.

I love the sound and I’m amazed that the Krell sounds like new, however, it still weighs too much (around 90 lbs) and a much lighter amplifier would give me more flexibility.

Can you recommend a replacement that will sound very much like the Krell but weighs much less?

I'm thinking that there is probably something 5-10 years old that sounds similar and should be available at a “good” price. For instance, I can get a set of Bryston 7B ST for $2000+ but I have never heard these and know little about them.

Any information would be appreciated.

chinook9
13 responses Add your response
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Krell is Krell. KSA 100. I don't know of anything that sounds like a fresh Krell.  A good Class A valve amp. Pass? Still can be heavy.

I'm a class d person. I really like them. They run cool, they sound good.
I'm also about anything that sounds good.  They are not Krells though.

I've had a lot of amps, and a Krell KSA100s. They were and are a GREAT amp..

They are Heavy, run hot, suck power like an AC unit. Wonderful amps. Nothing sounds like a Krell, another Krell..

Regards

 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
If the clone is anything like what a clone should be, it's not going to be lightweight.  Mutually exclusive.  You'll have to rethink or buy a handtruck.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,011 posts
 
What do you mean by "more flexibility"? Don't you just let it sit where it sits? 
tweak1
3,668 posts
 
~ 15 years ago I had a friend with a KSA 100. It was amazing

I have owned a lot of amps SS and tube and started in the class D direction about 8 years ago. I had the PSAudio M700s which sounded quite good and can be bought used for ~ 2K, but I replaced them with a Ric Schultz design using IceEdge 1200AS modules + lots of tweaks ($2400). Unfortunately, his declining health has him on hiatus

PS Audio recently introduced the M1200s using the same module as mine (though likely with none of Rics tweaks), but with tube input MSRP $6K. If the money isn’t burning a hole in your pocket a couple GaN based amps should be available shortly that MIGHT be game changers, but likely in the 4K+ range


hth
chinook9 OP
68 posts
 
Thank you all for your response..

Actually Roxy54, I would prefer to be able to move it. The last couple of years I have started trying some different components and I expect to keep on doing so for a while.  As good as the KSA-100 is, it takes up a lot of space and puts out a lot of heat. 

Right now I also have a Parasound A21 and a Classe AMP2 Class D amp.  I can move these around the house with no problem but the same cannot be said of the Krell.Its a beast.

I am continuing my research on the Bryston amps.  
chinook9 OP
68 posts
 
tweak1, Thank you for the mention of the GaN based amps.  I am really intrigued by Class D amps and will follow the development of amps using this module.  I like the Classe AMP2 but it may be a bit bright.  It appears that Classe did a lot of work on this Class D amp and haven't done much with it lately. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
chinook9 OP
Wanted: Lightweight Krell KSA-100 Clone????
Can you recommend a replacement that will sound very much like the Krell but weighs much less?
One of the great classic amps, like the lower power Mark Levinson ML2 monoblocks

Your not going to get that sound if you move away from 100w of Class-A at 8ohms, they were fan cooled and weighed much less than if they had heatsinks https://i.imgur.com/ZmM95hb.jpg
Just about anything that can match them is probably going to weigh more today if not fan cooled.
So just get it serviced up and find a way to keep them, put some roller coasters or trolley under it if you need to move it. And forget Class-D's 

Cheers George
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,205 posts
 
It look like dual mono design, convert it to monoblocks and you can get it under 60 lbs each :)
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Thats not happening.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
With that speaker load you’re not going to find many smaller amps as good as that Krell. Perhaps an amp stand on wheels?
Post removed 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
chinook9 OP


At 45kg (100lbs) for the KSA-100, about the only amp I could think that could compete and sound similar, but be lighter in weight, would be one of the Gryphon Integrateds, the Diablo 120 or the 300 they are 26kg and 38kg
They are the closest to sounding Class-A without being highly biased into Class-A They have that big easy rich sound stage that you think you can get up and walk into.
https://gryphon-audio.dk/produkt-kategori/integrated-amplifiers/

Cheers George
chinook9 OP
68 posts
 
Thank you all for your input. 

After doing a lot of online shopping and reading reviews I went back and tried my other amplifiers with the Thiels.  The Parasound A21 sounds very good and so I am going to stick with that.  

My wife only listens to CDs so I'm going to set that system up just for her.

I only listen to Tidal Premium through a Node 2i so to satisfy my own audio urges I am going to set up a system for myself in the basement.  That should maintain my interest for a while. 

I am also going to sell the KSA-100. 


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