How much better is the Krell 400xi compared to the

Just bought a brand new 400xi after reading reviews and discussions. Dont know how long is the break-in period, but out of the box it doesnt sound better than my integrated amp which only cost $700. When pairing with the Oppo 981 and when eq is activated, the eq made the normal mode sounds muted, lifeless, lack of dynamic... While using the brand X integrated amp, the eq made the pre sounds artificial and eq'ed, so it sounds perfect and natral without the eq. These AB were done using Klipsch RB75. Dont know if Magnepan 1.6, 3.6, Gallo Ref 3.1 or Zu Druid mk4 could make the 400xi sounds right. So far, unimpressed! I hate to cough out $3-4K for any of these speakers and get disappointed.

"The manufacturer rates it a 200wpc/8ohms. How can it be rated higher by someone else?"

Easily, if the manufacturer really underrates the 8 ohm power specs far below what it actually measures. For example, it looks better to have an integrated amp that is rated at 200W per channel into 8 ohms and 400W per channel into 4 ohms than one that puts out 290W per channel into 8 and 400 into 4. If they lower the rating on 8 ohm to 200W (far less than it actually puts out), it makes the amp look like it doubles down into 4 ohms which is a quality highly valued by a lot of audiophiles. No one will really get upset at them either since they are underrating their 8 ohm figure. It's not like this is the first time that a manufacturer has done a rating like this. But, it can be a little misleading.

It's funny how different people have such different experiences with gear. I wish there was a $700 integrated that could outperform my 400xi (Indofunka - What integrated was that?). I'd put $1K in my pocket. Of course, my speakers are Magnepan 1.6s, so they do require the power which narrows the amplifier possibilites down a bit. In my system, the 400xi was an improvement over a quicksilver pre and Sunfire amp (and a Perreaux pre as well).

I have a 400xi (with probably less than 200 hrs on it). I've also got a Conrad-Johnson PF2 preamp and Hafler 9500 and Odyssey Stratos power amps. Of the three combos (400xi, PF2/9500, PF2/Stratos), the 400xi sounds sweetest on top; the PF2/Stratos has the largest soundstage, and the PF2/9500 images best. Soundstage size is about the same between the PF2/9500 and 400xi (perhaps slightly smaller for the 400xi). The 400xi and PF2/Stratos have slightly smoother midbass than the PF2/9500.

- Kofi

I have compared the 400xi and the combo Sp16 pre with 4 Bsst amp and I have to say the 400xi comes very closed. Open, clean, sweet and warm. The 400xi mid-range is not quite open and rich as the Sp16/ 4 Bsst combo but very close. I did hear more detail background from the Sp16/ 4 Bsst. In the All for you cd, with the Sp16/ 4 Bsst I can hear clearly the drum brush on the background but only faint sound with 400xi.A $2500.00 intergrated hold itself against $5,500.00 combo with its own decency. Not bad Krell !