Krell re-introduces Class A

[thezaks]

Originally Posted by New guy

It looks the Evolution series is being discontinued since it's no longer on their web site. I hope the new models are equal or better than the E series. I am not thrill with the new design and don't like fans.

I've been a fan of my S-1500, but that's because it's great sound without a fan. I agree completely. I called Krell and asked about the 7 channel model, and they mentioned it has four (count them - 4!) fans in it. Sorry, but in Phoenix, AZ, where dust is everywhere, there's no way I'm going to get an amp with a fan - let alone, 4 of them! I've had components with fans before, and the dust brought into them is unbelievable.

Plus, my experience is that the fans come on when the amps get pushed. Well guess what - that's a worse case scenario for a home theater amp. You go through an action scene in a movie, where the amps get really pushed, and the next scene is a nice quiet scene. Of course, the fan turns on by or before the end of the action scene, and usually shuts off or slows down by the time you get to the next action scene. You get to hear the fan(s), at their loudest, during the quiet scenes. I had a Cary 7.250 that replicated that perfectly - no thanks!

If I ever replace my S-1500, I will definitely look elsewhere.

Dave

[Mikeoz]

Just a hunch but is this the next 'KAV' series with a quality replacement for the Evolution coming down the line ?

Fans ? WTF ???

[SteveK]

Mixed feelings...

I settled on Krell after 3 years of trying numerous well known brands. My decision was based primarily on sound quality. So, I am very glad I purchased my 400e's before the production stopped. They will be my main amplifiers for many years.

At the same time, it is sad to see a company change their product line so completely, as if to admit that their previous products were inadequate. Something akin to what Dominos pizza did, but it seems like Krell lowered the standards and took a step back. I certainly hope the new products sound good/better and they are successful. First impression puts doubts in my mind, unfortunately.

[Mikeoz]

Maybe the change of direction is driven by profit rather than a quest for sound quality ? IMO Krell are overpriced and it's probably hurt their bottom line so they may have repositioned for financial reasons. I think this is a step in the wrong direction and I don't think it will help the brand - or residuals going forward...

[cma29]

Originally Posted by Mikeoz

Maybe the change of direction is driven by profit rather than a quest for sound quality ? IMO Krell are overpriced and it's probably hurt their bottom line so they may have repositioned for financial reasons. I think this is a step in the wrong direction and I don't think it will help the brand - or residuals going forward...

I think Krell is now owned by a Private Equity firm. For those guys the most important consideration is free cash flow and the product roll out profile and price point is strongly influenced by expected financial performance. It might be difficult to reconcile audiophile demands for quality with free cashflow needs.

[partrician]

I read somewhere that it is a 3u or 5 u chassis design so I would assume you cannot have major heat sinks on both sides of the amplifier if you would ever rack mount these for a professional application. Krell did sell Evolution E series to mastering studios, and maybe the fans had to be put in for this reason so they could provide audiophiles and professional mastering applications.

[BillK]

I've got to agree regarding fans.

Not only for the noise factor, but you're virtually guaranteed a fan failure at some point, and with demand-driven fans that run infrequently, you never know when you'll end up overheating the device because the fan didn't turn on, and since you infrequently heard it anyway, you don't know it's now dead.

I think many of us have had PCs where an internal fan or two have died and the only reason we knew is upon trying to diagnose some new buggy behavior.

I've avoided some ARC amps and traded up from an Oppo BDP-95 to a BDP-105 for the same reason.

[SteveK]

Originally Posted by Zoran

Did you see, folks..??

One single 750VA transformer, only 39 kilos for the flagship 575W monoblock. Is this some cruel joke...?? I simply cannot cannot believe...

If it is truly 750VA producing 575W, maybe Krell is going environment friendly I remember the evo monoblocks using more than 4,000VA for 400W and 6,000VA transformers in 900W. Certainly a huge reduction of carbon footprint per watt. I still don't understand why such a huge paradigm shift for an established company.

[POL80]

Do the new Ibias solo amplifiers sound better than the Evolution amplifiers?

[4RE]

Built in our connecticut factory, or should it state 'assembled in our connecticut factory'..

Read Nelson Pass great article on Class A. amps, and the marketing b*gus on 'Pure Class A'..

It can be downloaded from the Pass webpages.