Evolution 302e Review

[mb2]

Originally Posted by Lee3

I agree with Doug and if the difference is "only" 5% i'd go with the latter. i never had the non e version of the evo line but when i jumped from 750 fpb line to 600e's the electricity savings were substantial (somewhere around ~$200 a month i believe due to the current they draw when idle.) The reports that i read (again from memory) suggested a high draw on the first version of the evolution. I think i'd pay 5% just for a newer amp with less wear on the capacitors let alone the monthly electricity savings.

$200.....why??
Do you leave them on 24/7?
I dont believe people that do this as it only wears out the gear.

[A.Wayne]

Originally Posted by Mikeoz

TA Musicwave Plus MM2.

The bass problem occurred when I moved house - now in a large (for the UK) L shaped room (approx 50 square metres). I even changed from Proac to Wilson which helped but the lower frequencies still aren't what they used to be with this set up.

I've done some room treatment with panels and bass traps. I heard the 302e with Sophia 3 at a local dealer is a similar sized (possibly bigger) and the bass was far better - that set up had a Wadia front end with no separate pre-amp.

So my theory is that a 302/ 302e with give back what I lost with the house move. FWIW I tried a Velo sub in this room and the bass was fine - but difficult to integrate and I don't want to go down that route.

Do you have wooden floors .....?

[Mikeoz]

Originally Posted by A.Wayne

Do you have wooden floors .....?

No it's concrete. Off topic but it now appears that I have room mode issues at 30 (loud) and 60hz (quiet). Looks like I need 3 or 4 ft bass traps to cure this problem and a bigger power amp won't solve it. Looking forward to the conversation with the wife

In any case I've decided to hold out for a 302e - thanks for the input - great site

[bariko]

Originally Posted by tom_hankins

The E series Krells are in my top three SS amps made reguardless of price. If I needed the power they (402e) would be what I choose if moving away from my tube amps.

Though the Brystone 4bsst is not a bad match for my 802 Diamond, Krell was always my big dream
I also go for the 402e with fine 400w/c
Only the price prevents me from fulfilling this target
Unfortunately, in my country, the cost is even higher than other places…

[SteveK]

I have been using 302e with my Stradivari and I agree with everything in this review except one. After a vigorous listening session, top of the amp, especially the cooling fins, become extremely hot. The fact that Krell lists BTU's on their amplifier specifications must mean something about their heat production...

[Mikeoz]

Managed to find a nearly new black 302e and picked it up last weekend

Only listened to a couple a CDs so far but the improvement over the KAV2250 is significant. Very happy with the purchase - do I need a fancy power cable ?

One question - there's a faint hum from the unit (not through the speakers) which you can't hear from the listening position. I didn't have that with the 2250. I assume that is normal ?

[Rtan]

Congrats Mike! It won't hurt, I have good result with Nordost and Wireworld PC. You should give it a try.

Regarding faint hum from your amp...Not sure why its doing that. You might wanna call Krell Tech, they have excellent tech support I'm sure they find an answer for you.

Are you in the US?

[Mikeoz]

Thanks Ron. I sent an email to their tech department but I'm sure it's ok.

Regarding mains cables I've got loan of a Russ Andrews SuperKord Signature so I'll do a direct comparison with the standard cable and report back. Given the price of that cable it should be night and day

BTW I live in the UK.

[myjazz123]

Mike, congrutulations on a 30e, great amplifier,Please let us know when tech support get abck to you regarding hum in your 302e. I also have 302e and its dead silnet, but hum may be hapening becuase of the dirty AC. Onother thing, when I put my 302E in stand by mode after shor litening sessions, withins 10-20sec after going in standby, the amp makes audible pop (not thru the speakers, it comes from amplifier).Tech support told me it is normal
Does anybody 302e/402e doing this?

[Mikeoz]

I got a reply and they said it was normal with the larger power amps to hear 'some residual transformer hum coming from the power supply area when in close proximity to the unit'

It's not a problem as I can't hear it from the listening position. I just wanted some reassurance the amp isnt about to go bang.

I'm very happy with the sound quality. Will be interesting to see if that exotic power cable makes an audible difference. I'm quite cynical but we'll see.