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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

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

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
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
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