AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Krell

Krell Leader in Audio Engineering

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #41  
Old 08-15-2013, 04:54 PM
SteveK SteveK is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 103
Default

I currently have Phantom III as preamp, and I feel it is much better than C50, C2300, and C2500 - all of which I had owned. Maybe it is just "different" but I like Phantom better. I did A/B between Phantom III and C2500 and the difference was pronounced.
I have been thinking of consolidating HT and 2ch with Foundation, but my dealer tells me Phantom III would be better than Foundation, and even maybe better than S1200 for 2ch.
But from what I hear Foundation seems very good. No bells and whistles, just pure sonic.
I am more temped to get one as days pass by...

Last edited by SteveK; 08-15-2013 at 06:50 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 08-16-2013, 01:48 AM
Rtan's Avatar
Rtan Rtan is offline
Ice Man


 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: N.W. of Los Angeles
Posts: 522
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffkad View Post
So the overall strengths of the Foundation as preamp trump the warmth of the C50? Just curious. I came very close to going with two box solution with Mac C50 and Marantz av 8801. I picked up the av8801 first, but unlike many, just couldn't warm up to its sound. While i wouldnt have had to deal with it in 2ch, i didnt care for it in mch, and i really like my BR and DVD concerts. Even with movies I wasn't thrilled. Maybe it was just me and perhaps an inability to properly set up the Marantz. In any event, I broke down and bought the Foundations big brother, the Krell S1200 because i could not wait for the Foundation to be released. Al I can say is wow, the S1200 as a preamp is fantastic, and absolutely blows away the Marantz (as one would hope given the price differential). I sometimes wonder how a standalone preamp would sound comparatively, hence my question on the C50 vs the Foundation. Glad you are enjoying it. Seems like Krell has hit a homerun with the Foundation.
The C50 to me sounded warmer but lack detail of the KF. KF presentation is much deeper and blacker background. But I like the KF better than the C50 after comparing both in 2 channel. I plan to use KF solely for movies only though. I will always have a separate 2 channel pre amp but now I'm having a second thoughts on C50.

In my experience,, Marantz will not compete with either C50 and KF in 2 channel listening. KF however amazed me on HT presentation, soundstage is great, vocal is so crystal clear and bass was accurate. KF brings a new level of my home theater experience. It was the first time I saw my wife jolt from her seat after hearing a unexpected gun shot firing during the scene, it was that good! Not to mention, the color is more vivid and sharper thanks to its new and improved HDMI technology. I can assure one thing that KF may surpass the S1200, is its HDMI technology. It was confirmed by krell tech staff that KF HDMI is better. But can't agree more that the s1200 performs better in 2 channel set up.

I'm so impress with krell foundation, now Krell Phantom III is on my target list. Furthermore, KF is so easy to configure and the ARES was helpful and really cool feature.
__________________
Ron

MC601x2;MC303x1;MC150x1;C50; KRELL Foundation;OPPO95;SONY XA5400;MAC MINI;B&W802D; HTM2D;DB1X2; TANTRA 6.1 X4. JVC RS 45; SI ZERO EDGE.
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 08-16-2013, 01:52 AM
Rtan's Avatar
Rtan Rtan is offline
Ice Man


 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: N.W. of Los Angeles
Posts: 522
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveK View Post
I currently have Phantom III as preamp, and I feel it is much better than C50, C2300, and C2500 - all of which I had owned. Maybe it is just "different" but I like Phantom better. I did A/B between Phantom III and C2500 and the difference was pronounced.
I have been thinking of consolidating HT and 2ch with Foundation, but my dealer tells me Phantom III would be better than Foundation, and even maybe better than S1200 for 2ch.
But from what I hear Foundation seems very good. No bells and whistles, just pure sonic.
I am more temped to get one as days pass by...
Did you get the DAC? What amp do you have? I may go all Krell? What you think?
__________________
Ron

MC601x2;MC303x1;MC150x1;C50; KRELL Foundation;OPPO95;SONY XA5400;MAC MINI;B&W802D; HTM2D;DB1X2; TANTRA 6.1 X4. JVC RS 45; SI ZERO EDGE.
Reply With Quote
  #44  
Old 08-16-2013, 02:26 AM
Audiofan1 Audiofan1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 206
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtan View Post
The C50 to me sounded warmer but lack detail of the KF. KF presentation is much deeper and blacker background. But I like the KF better than the C50 after comparing both in 2 channel. I plan to use KF solely for movies only though. I will always have a separate 2 channel pre amp but now I'm having a second thoughts on C50.

In my experience,, Marantz will not compete with either C50 and KF in 2 channel listening. KF however amazed me on HT presentation, soundstage is great, vocal is so crystal clear and bass was accurate. KF brings a new level of my home theater experience. It was the first time I saw my wife jolt from her seat after hearing a unexpected gun shot firing during the scene, it was that good! Not to mention, the color is more vivid and sharper thanks to its new and improved HDMI technology. I can assure one thing that KF may surpass the S1200, is its HDMI technology. It was confirmed by krell tech staff that KF HDMI is better. But can't agree more that the s1200 performs better in 2 channel set up.

I'm so impress with krell foundation, now Krell Phantom III is on my target list. Furthermore, KF is so easy to configure and the ARES was helpful and really cool feature.
Is that the Marantz 8801 or the 7005 to which you're referring to ?
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 08-16-2013, 02:41 AM
Rtan's Avatar
Rtan Rtan is offline
Ice Man


 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: N.W. of Los Angeles
Posts: 522
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Audiofan1 View Post

Is that the Marantz 8801 or the 7005 to which you're referring to ?
AV7005. I have no experience with 8801 almost bought one but glad I picked the KF.
__________________
Ron

MC601x2;MC303x1;MC150x1;C50; KRELL Foundation;OPPO95;SONY XA5400;MAC MINI;B&W802D; HTM2D;DB1X2; TANTRA 6.1 X4. JVC RS 45; SI ZERO EDGE.
Reply With Quote
  #46  
Old 08-16-2013, 09:29 AM
SteveK SteveK is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 103
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtan View Post
Did you get the DAC? What amp do you have? I may go all Krell? What you think?
Currently, I have both 302e and MC601's (Also C2500, Phantomiii). I have been doing A/B for past couple weeks. As I said before, I am partial to Krell sound. At low to moderate volumes, they both sound very similar with Krell having a bit more detail and wider soundstage. Mcintosh has more warm and romantic sound. At loud volume, 302e knocks 601's off their feet. The ability to dig deeper into lower bass registers and overall control sends chills down the spine. Most of all, 302e presents each instrument as distinct entity in its own soundstage during busy passages. 601's begin to pancake some sounds together during busy music passage as volume goes up. I guess that's why people call Krell analytical, but I call it "true reproduction."

I use PS Audio MKII with bridge. I'm not a big fan of built in DAC...
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old 08-16-2013, 10:24 AM
Rtan's Avatar
Rtan Rtan is offline
Ice Man


 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: N.W. of Los Angeles
Posts: 522
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveK View Post
Currently, I have both 302e and MC601's (Also C2500, Phantomiii). I have been doing A/B for past couple weeks. As I said before, I am partial to Krell sound. At low to moderate volumes, they both sound very similar with Krell having a bit more detail and wider soundstage. Mcintosh has more warm and romantic sound. At loud volume, 302e knocks 601's off their feet. The ability to dig deeper into lower bass registers and overall control sends chills down the spine. Most of all, 302e presents each instrument as distinct entity in its own soundstage during busy passages. 601's begin to pancake some sounds together during busy music passage as volume goes up. I guess that's why people call Krell analytical, but I call it "true reproduction."

I use PS Audio MKII with bridge. I'm not a big fan of built in DAC...
Thanks for sharing. Does the 302e gets really hot when running for long hours? Have you had experience with 600e?
__________________
Ron

MC601x2;MC303x1;MC150x1;C50; KRELL Foundation;OPPO95;SONY XA5400;MAC MINI;B&W802D; HTM2D;DB1X2; TANTRA 6.1 X4. JVC RS 45; SI ZERO EDGE.
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 08-16-2013, 11:18 AM
jeffkrag jeffkrag is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Philly, PA
Posts: 359
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rtan View Post
The C50 to me sounded warmer but lack detail of the KF. KF presentation is much deeper and blacker background. But I like the KF better than the C50 after comparing both in 2 channel. I plan to use KF solely for movies only though. I will always have a separate 2 channel pre amp but now I'm having a second thoughts on C50.

In my experience,, Marantz will not compete with either C50 and KF in 2 channel listening. KF however amazed me on HT presentation, soundstage is great, vocal is so crystal clear and bass was accurate. KF brings a new level of my home theater experience. It was the first time I saw my wife jolt from her seat after hearing a unexpected gun shot firing during the scene, it was that good! Not to mention, the color is more vivid and sharper thanks to its new and improved HDMI technology. I can assure one thing that KF may surpass the S1200, is its HDMI technology. It was confirmed by krell tech staff that KF HDMI is better. But can't agree more that the s1200 performs better in 2 channel set up.

I'm so impress with krell foundation, now Krell Phantom III is on my target list. Furthermore, KF is so easy to configure and the ARES was helpful and really cool feature.
No doubt HDMI is better on KF. I would bet that in most cases, the Foundation may even beat the S1200 in HT due to the ease of the ARES automated room correction. I have not played with the manual EQ on the S1200 as it is way too complicated and would require measuring equipment. Some day I may get a pro in to set it up, but just enjoying it too much as is right now. Congrats and enjoy the KF!
__________________
Amps: McIntosh MC611’s
Preamp/Processor: MX150
Sources: Esoteric K-01X, OPPO BDP95,
Speakers: Canton Ref K3
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old 08-16-2013, 11:50 AM
thezaks thezaks is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Laveen, AZ
Posts: 88
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffkad View Post
No doubt HDMI is better on KF. I would bet that in most cases, the Foundation may even beat the S1200 in HT due to the ease of the ARES automated room correction. I have not played with the manual EQ on the S1200 as it is way too complicated and would require measuring equipment. Some day I may get a pro in to set it up, but just enjoying it too much as is right now. Congrats and enjoy the KF!
Not according to the Krell folks. I had long conversations with both Pete Mackay and Bill McKiegan, and they both confirm that audio and video via hdmi is much better on the S-1200.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old 08-16-2013, 11:56 AM
jeffkrag jeffkrag is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Philly, PA
Posts: 359
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by thezaks View Post
Not according to the Krell folks. I had long conversations with both Pete Mackay and Bill McKiegan, and they both confirm that audio and video via hdmi is much better on the S-1200.

Dave
Interesting. They made a big deal about the new advanced HDMI technology they employ in the KF, so I assumed the HDMI would be better. Perhaps it is only better in functionality and responsiveness as opposed to SQ, which would make sense.
__________________
Amps: McIntosh MC611’s
Preamp/Processor: MX150
Sources: Esoteric K-01X, OPPO BDP95,
Speakers: Canton Ref K3
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:47 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video