Krell S300i Tested from The Absolute Sound

[klipschfan]

Krell S300i Tested from The Absolute Sound by Neil Gader

TESTED: Krell S-300i Integrated Amplifier | AVguide

[Alberto]

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

[klipschfan]

Originally Posted by Alberto

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

Alberto

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

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by klipschfan

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

No wonder it's only 2.5K.

[1KW]

To me Krell rhymes with smell

[Formerly YB-2]

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?

[Kal Rubinson]

I think they are Paradigms.

Kal

[Volks]

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

[Dylan Code]

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!