I know they're still in business but it seems to me they've lost their hiend status they once had. I might be wrong ,but looking at their products of late the build quality and visual appeal looks cheaper.
I didn't even realize Dennis Had left Cary. Thanks for posting that info
Dennis Had left Cary several years ago. I do not think it was an amicable split.
You can still find Dennis building his own line of preamps and amps called Inspire. He sells them on Ebay under the moniker "radioman731". He still ships them out of Cary, North Carolina.
I thought the same thing Dave_b, the offensive entry was removed apparently.
I just bought a Krell FPB-300, and I love it! Even though the new Krell was within my budget. I have to say cosmetics swayed my decision. That computer case with fans across the rear I did not find appealing. Perhaps I'm just old school? And I knew the FPB to be a proven and well liked design, it is a beautiful amp, solid as a rock! Build quality is beyond reproach, and sonics are excellent. I'm very pleased with my purchase.
But i see this trend in other brands as well, the days of massive metal cases carved from solid blocks with fins of various shapes bristling out the sides, is very attractvie but expensive no doubt. And many manufacturers are hanging onto that formula for success, like Pass. But Krell, Levinson, Theta, Classe', and a few others have moved to this computer case design. I'm sure it has benefits, plenum ventilation systems with slip on covers, technically makes sense. And now days everyone is designing "Green", so the day of the monster amp that heats small houses and requires 20amp dedicated circuits and freight companies to move them has passed. The manufacturers have had to adapt to pressures from the government and competition from D class amp makers, and from reviews I've read, they are doing it well. But, I'm still lost in the past, and I love my 130 lb. monster with its dedicated circuit, with care it should last forever.
Disc spinners are an unnecessary middleman. Never thought I'd say that but it's true...my ripped discs in FLAC through my DVanguard sound better than ever! More life, vibrancy and dynamic range plus more warmth....probably has to do with the Krell DAC, MIT COAX combo as well.
Wadia isn't the company it used to be. They will never be the same all original people who designed and produced their products in the past are no longer part of the company today. Don't expect them to produce anything ultra hiend or another disc player.
I think Dave b is all over it. As I remember it when Dan was there much Krell bashing was to be suffered. Same as Wilson etc. The products I have are very good. At the discounting occurring on audiogon someone could do themselves a big favor and pick up an ibias amp. Fans are dead silent with high Class A output. Would love someone to have a pass vs Krell shootout.
I owned a large chunk of Danny Boys work. Sometimes myth replaces fact...they were very robust designs and overbuilt, reflective of the age. I loved my FPB 600, FPB 400cx, KCT, Evolution 400, 202, 505 combo as well! As I said, the Vanguard thrills me today as much as the older designs and in some ways more so. Some of the real brains and engineers are still there as well.
Krell is made in USA. They had outsourced an integrated and CD player a few years ago, but make everything in the states now. The build quality is excellent and the sound is superb. I prefer the new looks myself...some of the old stuff was fugly! My Digital Vanguard has replaced over $20k worth of gear and cables. I highly recommend Krell for audiophiles who value clarity, warmth and exceptional dynamic swing. Tone color is also spot on:)
I think the new cosmetics hurt them big time. I actually own a Foundation and Chorus 5200 and they are great high end HT products. Unfortunately Krell has too many big time discounting dealers which is killing the value of the products. In all fairness their service to me has been excellent. I personally think that the ibias amps sound really good but are hurt by the perception of noisy fans and a sliding bias scheme. I can't think of a better opportunity out there for a high watt class a amp at unreal discounted prices. My 5200 compared very favorably to a Pass 250.8 i demo'd in house for a couple of weeks. The cosmetics aren't that bad in person either. I wish them well as an iconic high end brand.
Krell has not been the same company since Dan D'Agostino left. Just like Cary lost their "soul" when Dennis Had left, and Thiel has never been the same since Jim Thiel passed away and Kathy Gornik left.
It's a common theme: the heart and soul of a hifi manufacturing company leaves, the company tends to go for the money, and lives on it's reputation.
Krell used to be all made in USA. Now they have outsourced some of their products to China.
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