Thoughts on Krell 402e vs 400e?

[stock78]

Originally Posted by Apexorca

In that set up I don't know how to make ideas of how it sounds with Krell. To know what to chose you have to try each pre amp to the power amp you have in mind. And try CAST it will make a hole lot of difference. If you like it ore not is up to you, but you have to try it.

Apexorca,

You are absolutely right to try each components with all others in any setup, so also with speakers, cables, sources, ideally speaking. Practically impossible in my case, so I had to choose from what I am able to hear and compare.

I heard also (shortly) Phantom with Krell 400E with Cast vs Ref5SE with 400E, speaker Wilson Sasha, source Wadia s7i. Far better synergy here for the Krell Phantom/400E/Cast combo.
The sound character I described however especially the notable differences between the pre's of ARC and Krell were also detectable here.

My comparison was an indication of the differences between Ref5SE and 202 in mentioned setup, which had to be fine-tuned to make out the best of each component.
And your own preferences and your choice of music plays also a major role here.