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Krell Trio 300 vs. Krell Trio 300 XD

I just bought a pre-loved Krell Trio 300 and overall, I love the amp. Powerful, drives ML ESLs like a boss, and the only class A that will not burn down your house (cool to the touch). However, little bright and too “rocky”.  The more I read about the XD version of this amp it sounds like Krell tuned all these little kinks out and made it more musical. It would cost me 5K, to trade in my Trio 300 for new Trio 300 XD.

Does anyone here have experience with these amps, can anyone tell me if the XD improvement justifies extra 5k?

nd_72
ajpk1971
35 posts
 
I have the 375 XD monos.  Had a 300 Duo.  I absolutely love the XD amps. They do it all...soundstage...imaging..great highs and lows...best controlled bass ever...I can listen for hours.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
However, little bright and too “rocky”.

I suspect that this problem is coming from somewhere else in your system.  As you found out, the sonic signature between Trio and Trio XD is not really any different.  These amps use Krell's newer sliding bias Class A design and also have a smoothed over upper end (this means the high frequencies are smoothed over and subdued like other types of bipolar transitor Class A amps).  They don't actually sound bright/harsh at all.

bulldogger
262 posts
 
nd_72, I concur with your assessment of how the amps come back. My 300Duo XD certainly came back looking brand new as well .Krell really did a fine job.
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