Krell S-1200

[PHC1]

Hooked up the new S-1200U to give it a whirl. Man, what a great sounding pre/pro it is. I only tried it in the 2 channel/stereo mode but if it is as impressive with surround sound, I will be ecstatic.

I chose the S-1200U for the home theater because I couldn't think of a better pre/pro that would allow me to enjoy 2 channel music with as pure of a signal as possible. The following is what caught my attention, that plus the fact I heard the more expensive Evo 707 and was blown away by the quality and purity of sound for a pre/pro.

"Only Krell designed preamplifier circuitry is employed within every channel utilizing discrete current based Class A, direct coupled circuitry for the greatest signal purity and highest bandwidth. Performance robbing op amps or integrated circuits are not used anywhere in the audio path. Preamp mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes analog stereo inputs directly to a balanced resistor ladder volume control for ultimate music reproduction."

I let the system with the new Elipsas burn in overnight with only the MCD201 doing the preamp control into the Bryston 14B. The next day I inserted the S-1200 and used the balanced out from the MCD201 and let the S-1200 do the preamp job. WOW! Talk about an immediate and noticeable difference. Ambiance, emotion, focus, dynamics and even get this, "musicality" improved. First thing that jumped out at me immediately as I was listening to a Reggae CD and could not make out some lyrics on some songs... with the S-1200, the clarity of vocals increased substantially and the words were now completely intelligible. I was very impressed.

After a few more hours of listening, I decided to try out the DACs in the Krell. Out came the digital cable and was hooked up from the MCD201 to the S-1200. The 24bit ESS Sabre DACs do not dissapoint! Very nice and very noticeably better than the DACs in MCD201, no suprise there... Now I will have to think about if I want to use the balanced inputs from a future CDP with even better DACs or let the S-1200 do digital.

I will follow up once the S-1200U is hooked up and is doing surround as well as video upconversion, etc... It may be the video brain in my theater or it may be surpassed by the Lumagen piece, we'll see...

All I can say for now is that 2 channel listening has surpassed my expectations.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PHC1

First thing that jumped out at me immediately as I was listening to a Reggae CD and could not make out some lyrics on some songs... with the S-1200, the clarity of vocals increased substantially and the words were now completely intelligible. I was very impressed.

Serge:.......I guess then, we can say the Krell S-1200 pre/pro is the the one to beat if you need ebonics done very well. I'll have to keep that in mind.

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Hooked up the new S-1200U to give it a whirl. Man, what a great sounding pre/pro it is. I only tried it in the 2 channel/stereo mode but if it is as impressive with surround sound, I will be ecstatic.

I chose the S-1200U for the home theater because I couldn't think of a better pre/pro that would allow me to enjoy 2 channel music with as pure of a signal as possible. The following is what caught my attention, that plus the fact I heard the more expensive Evo 707 and was blown away by the quality and purity of sound for a pre/pro.

"Only Krell designed preamplifier circuitry is employed within every channel utilizing discrete current based Class A, direct coupled circuitry for the greatest signal purity and highest bandwidth. Performance robbing op amps or integrated circuits are not used anywhere in the audio path. Preamp mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes analog stereo inputs directly to a balanced resistor ladder volume control for ultimate music reproduction."

I let the system with the new Elipsas burn in overnight with only the MCD201 doing the preamp control into the Bryston 14B. The next day I inserted the S-1200 and used the balanced out from the MCD201 and let the S-1200 do the preamp job. WOW! Talk about an immediate and noticeable difference. Ambiance, emotion, focus, dynamics and even get this, "musicality" improved. First thing that jumped out at me immediately as I was listening to a Reggae CD and could not make out some lyrics on some songs... with the S-1200, the clarity of vocals increased substantially and the words were now completely intelligible. I was very impressed.

After a few more hours of listening, I decided to try out the DACs in the Krell. Out came the digital cable and was hooked up from the MCD201 to the S-1200. The 24bit ESS Sabre DACs do not dissapoint! Very nice and very noticeably better than the DACs in MCD201, no suprise there... Now I will have to think about if I want to use the balanced inputs from a future CDP with even better DACs or let the S-1200 do digital.

I will follow up once the S-1200U is hooked up and is doing surround as well as video upconversion, etc... It may be the video brain in my theater or it may be surpassed by the Lumagen piece, we'll see...

All I can say for now is that 2 channel listening has surpassed my expectations.

Sounds great Serge! May be you should make this room your 2 channel room

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge:.......I guess then, we can say the Krell S-1200 pre/pro is the the one to beat if you need ebonics done very well. I'll have to keep that in mind.

It was one of very authentic compilation of local talent CDs I picked up in Jamaica. Good music but the dialect is a little difficult to understand. Untill Krell that is...

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

Sounds great Serge! May be you should make this room your 2 channel room

I think my family will put up a protest. my two sons and I are looking forward to shooting some pool in that room. It's ok, I do have two other rooms designated for theater and analog playback so I can't complain.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I think my family will put up a protest. my two sons and I are looking forward to shooting some pool in that room. It's ok, I do have two other rooms designated for theater and analog playback so I can't complain.

Hhmm, you may need a bigger home...

David Siegel Lists His 90,000 Square Foot Super Mansion, Versailles, For $100 Million!! Homes of the Rich

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Hhmm, you may need a bigger home...

David Siegel Lists His 90,000 Square Foot Super Mansion, Versailles, For $100 Million!! Homes of the Rich

Sorry but that house is revolting. I never understand the desire to portray oneself as European Royalty and to call it Versailles is just ridiculous. The new breed of China Billionaires are also acquiring this lack of taste at breakneck speed!

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Hhmm, you may need a bigger home...

David Siegel Lists His 90,000 Square Foot Super Mansion, Versailles, For $100 Million!! Homes of the Rich

It would be a full time job just to change lightbulbs in that house.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PHC1

It would be a full time job just to change lightbulbs in that house.

No kidding; what really made me smile was the mortgage calculator. With $20M down, and a fixed 30 year at today's low rates your payment would be $397K a month. Oh you want taxes and insurance escrowed, just bump it to $502K per month.

[jdandy]

Low overhead = Low stress.