Krell S300i Tested from The Absolute Sound by Neil Gader

TESTED: Krell S-300i Integrated Amplifier | AVguide

Its sound is built for speed and for the critical analysis of a recording—not a rough translation. The result is a drier tonality that’s not exactly sweet but rather sweetly exacting. If your biases tend toward the lush, florid, romantic, or, goodness knows, euphonic, the S-300i may not entirely win your heart. However, if it’s precision-cut images and transient acceleration you’re seeking, you’ve found your ride.

This is the kind of review I appreciate and find useful. The reviewer acknowledges the fact that the amp would be great for a group of people, but not for all. I am solidly in the "lush, florid, romantic" camp, and all the Krell gear I've heard in the past sounds exactly like the reviewer described it: very fast, analytical, dry. I believe that Krell is well aware of its reputation for such a "house sound" - that's what their founders/engineers must like. Not my cup o' tea, but good for them. Even though I often joke about the Krell sound - because it's the antithesis of how I define "The Delicious Sound", I respect a company that stands by what they like and gives their customers a consistent experience regardless of fashion trends. Hmmm, sounds like another audio company many of us here like .

The description of how good this type of amp can sound on acoustic guitar was also dead on. I happen to play guitar and I learned that you need a fast, detailed, dry amp to really capture and reproduce what a live guitar sounds like (and speakers with metal tweeters also help.) If all I listened to was top notch acoustic recordings, I could tolerate, and even enjoy, such an amp/speaker combo but, alas, my ears don't like the results when I play other types of music and poorly recorded music in general.

At $2500, however, it sounds like a great amp for Krell lovers. I wish that McIntosh would produce something in that price range .

Alberto

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Sources: Thorens TD125 ii + SME 3009 + Clearaudio Maestro, McIntosh MDA1000 + MCD201, Sonos, Wadia 170i
[Pre]Amplification: Shindo Monbrison->Cortese & Auriges->Montille, McIntosh C34V
Speakers: Tannoy Sandringham

"Wholly designed in Orange, CT, and built in China to Krell’s specifications"

No wonder it's only 2.5K.

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McIntosh MVP871. Luxman C-383, M-375. Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento. Oyaide R1, WPC-Z, P/C-004, MTB-6. Siltech Ruby Hill II. HiFi-Tuning fuses

To me Krell rhymes with smell

If my eyes did not deceive me, isn't that an S-300i driving a set of B&W monitors in Intel's latest TV ad touting their motion software?

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McIntosh MX114, MC50 monoblocs, MC2105, MR80, MVP861 Klipsch Heresy III, Micro Seiki DDX-1000 w/SME 309 w/AT33R, DL303 & Kontrapunkt b; Jelco SA-750DB w/AT150MXL & V15VxMR Musical Surroundings Nova Sony SS-M3, ST-J88B & ST-J75 Yamaha CT-7000, T-85, TX-1000 Kimber SilverStreak Wasatch Ultima

I think they are Paradigms.

Kal

Excellent "Bang for the Buck"....made in China or not.

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Michael

Main System:Mcintosh MC601's Amplifer,Mcintosh C50 Preamp,KEF Reference 207/2's Speakers,Music Hall MMF 9.1 TT ,Grant Fidelity Reference Tube CD-1000 Player Impression II,Acoustic Zen Absolute Shotgun Cables,Krell K.I.D Dock,Jungson MRCA-1 Gold Coated Copper Reference Interconnects (Golden Dragon),Torus CS15 Power Conditioners/Surge Protector.SolidTech "Rack of Silence"Reference 4 Audio Stand.


Bedroom System:Shuguang I-25 integrated tube amp,Kef IQ 10`s,Sony CDP 225.

I have the 300 with a pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M's. It does everything well and does not have any disappointing aspects. The Krell FBI is something I've yet to hear. That looks like a proper integrated!