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Krell Phantom preamp
I just got my Krell Phantom delivered last week, and I was compelled to share this. This is in no way a review. It is more like my audio diary.
I had gone through a number of preamps over the past few years - Mcintosh C50/C2300/C2500, ARC Ref5SE, Rogue Audio Hera II, Manley 300B/Jumbo Shrimp, Plinius Tautoro, Parasound, Krell Phantom III, etc. My amplifiers have been Mcintosh MC601, Manley Neo500, Krell 2250e & 302e, Plinius SA-103. Speaker has been SF Stravidari. I was in search of natural (neutral?) music reproduction. I didn't want the voice to be sweet when the recording wasn't meant to sound sweet. (BTW, I love Manley gears, especially Stingray, which has such seductive sound, but definitely not neutral.) I didn't want any salt & pepper & or any other exotic spices added to the recordings. I also wanted to have a soundstage with each instrument and voice emanating from their own space. I love being able to identify each instruement in front of me - even during complex music passages and at louder volumes. (I understand amplifier probably has more effect on this at louder volumes.) I have been listening to the Phantom for a week and all I can say is it sounds the most "real" of any other preamplifiers that came and went through my listening room. Krell's own marketing line is "Musicians appear silhouetted by the air about them, filling the room with a mesmerizing depiction of the recording. Music emanates from an expanse that outlines the recording venue, transporting you to the moment of creation." I really can't add any more to this... The sound is not as seductive as some tube gears. It doesn't have the warm and fuzzy nostalgia some gears evoke with their illuminations. Phantom sounds very smooth and liquid without any artificial sweetness or shimmer to it. It seems to present the sound as it was meant to be - with all instruments and vocals having their own space within the expansive holographic soundstage. And the bass control... Well, it is a Krell... I think that says it all I am not as articulate as some in this forum who can write very flowery and articulate reviews. But, when I dim the lights, sit back, and just listen, Phantom truly sounds the best, in my opinion, of all the preamps I have heard in my system. And to be fair, I do have to admit this is the most expensive preamp I have heard. I wonder how similar/higher priced units would compare - like ARC ref10 or Mcintosh C1000. It never ends Last edited by SteveK; 11-18-2013 at 12:43 AM. |
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Congrats on finding the pre-amp you like and I thought you did a fine job with the "diary".
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Michael 4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
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#3
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Good review Steve. I'm planning to move up to an arc5se (I also have a 302e) but this has got me thinking.
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#4
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The airiness and that sense of each instrument having own space is superlative in Phantom. It was similar to that wow effect when you hear the a great planar speakers for the first time, going from a low end cone speakers.
I work a lot on my iPad while listening to music. Many times, I would spontaneous look up to peek at the musicians, just out of reflex. Talk about feeling like "being there"... But I did have great fun listening to Ref5se. It adds a bit of excitement to music, especially at the top end. And you can't beat that midrange tube magic. The bottom end was exceptionally well controlled even compared to solid state gear. The soundstage was great, but here is where Phantom trumps it. And this is the strange part, Phantom didn't have that slight harshness that ref5se exhibited on some recordings. Apexorca on another thread mentioned this and I had my doubts. Not any more I bet if I pair Krell 302e (or 400e) & ARC ref5se with Martin Logan CLX, I may get that sense of airiness and soundstage. But I wouldn't get that tight control from low midrange and down. I agree Krells can sometimes sound too "real" and it can sound a bit analytical. I like that kind of sound. So, only your ears can decide. BTW, what speakers do you have? |
#5
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Wilson Sophia 2 and I'm using an ARC CD8.
Must admit i dont hear harshness with the LS26 I'm currently using as the pre-amp. I've been thinking the ref5se upgrade was a 'no-brainer' based on reviews and experience thus far. Can't even remember seeing one on the top dog Phantom. If one comes up second hand I might consider it - but I switched over to tube pre-amps to smooth out the top end so what you're saying sounds kinda counter-intuitive. Obviously the Krell Evo provides the muscle. |
#6
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Congrats and enjoy your Phantom! It is really a great piece of workmanship. Thanks for the observations on the Krell Phantom vs ARC Ref5SE. They are spot on and mirrors mostly my own experiences with them, however contra eg. the harshness-thing, for which I found you have to reverse the names. Interesting should be comparings between Krell Phantom and ARC Ref10, both with separate power supplies. Best. |
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Steve.......Are you using the Krell Phantom with the separate power supply? Does your Phantom have the optional active crossover installed? Silver or black?
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#8
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Embarrassing to admit this... But, even with all these gears, I'm not a strong believer in cables and power supply. I have number of dedicated 20 amp outlets, but no power conditioner/regenerator, etc. I am using just good old 12 gauge copper speaker wires and decent $50-200 IC's. All stock AC cables.
I had opportunities to look at internal wiring of B&W 802D2, Monitor Audio G300, and Paradigm C5v3, Rel G1 (all of which I have owned). All of them had 12 gauge or less copper wires inside. I know this would a whole new discussion, but putting higher quality cables to bridge between these normal internal wirings of electronics & speakers doesn't seem logical. But audiophile hobby is never logical I will be looking at some decent cables once I decide on my final piece of electronics - DAC & streamer combo. I have Rel G1 which has built in crossover that I like, so I decided against built in crossover after much pondering. And I have it set at 36hz. I usually like electronics in black, but I chose silver in this case. In case I get the upgrade bug, easier to sell or trade. And amazingly, even my wife says Krells look better in silver We were at Abt electronics and they had black 400e and 707 on display. Hey, whenever I can get any wife approval, I oblige. |
#9
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Enjoy... |
#10
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