DSJR
27-10-2016, 15:50
Pics to follow -
I just don't have the system to fully do this lovely amp justice. This one's the baby of the mid 90's range and was designed from the outset for a balanced preamp to partner it, although it's just fine with a single ended preamp (passive's fine) with RCA phono plugs. Rated at 50WPC, the Stereophile review gave it nearly double this rating and of course, the power into 4 ohms is substantially more than this. Bass grip is legendary on these amps and unlike the earlier models Krell made, this one doesn't go straight into 'cooking' mode as soon as it's turned on, as there are three bias levels - idle, which keeps the amp barely warm after an hour left on, normal, after which the case warms up nicely and full bias for very high levels, where the case does get very warm.
This series of amps also offer good protection to the speakers as well as the amp itself. Prolonged thrashing switches the highest bias level off once the case reaches 80 degrees C until the amp cools down and although I've never tested this or the thermal sensor, there is short circuit protection as well since a 60A current swing is claimed.
All my listening is at low to moderate levels and Spendors apart, the speakers I use are simple and don't require the incredible load tolerance of this amp. Discussions yesterday indicate I probably have never heard what the amp can really do, as balanced operation was designed into it from the outset and not an add-on as with other amps.
I have a printout of the 24 page user manual which goes into detail on how the basics work and how to get the best out of the amp and also the chunky heavy duty shielded mains cable which I've only ever seen with Levinson amps before.
Review here - http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/404/#8yAt89vLHWB5TX0M.97
Collection only from just outside of Saffron Walden in Essex. I don't have a box, live too far out on the Suffolk coast and this amp is too bloody heavy to risk to a carrier in a third party package despite its diminutive size when compared to its peers.
I'm looking for sensible offers around £850 please which is roughly what the older and less capable model gets these days. It's a proper Top End product, built to last a lifetime or more and it deserves an appreciative system using decent sources and a preamp that will get the best from it and sadly, I'm not in that league any more.
Pics to follow.
I just don't have the system to fully do this lovely amp justice. This one's the baby of the mid 90's range and was designed from the outset for a balanced preamp to partner it, although it's just fine with a single ended preamp (passive's fine) with RCA phono plugs. Rated at 50WPC, the Stereophile review gave it nearly double this rating and of course, the power into 4 ohms is substantially more than this. Bass grip is legendary on these amps and unlike the earlier models Krell made, this one doesn't go straight into 'cooking' mode as soon as it's turned on, as there are three bias levels - idle, which keeps the amp barely warm after an hour left on, normal, after which the case warms up nicely and full bias for very high levels, where the case does get very warm.
This series of amps also offer good protection to the speakers as well as the amp itself. Prolonged thrashing switches the highest bias level off once the case reaches 80 degrees C until the amp cools down and although I've never tested this or the thermal sensor, there is short circuit protection as well since a 60A current swing is claimed.
All my listening is at low to moderate levels and Spendors apart, the speakers I use are simple and don't require the incredible load tolerance of this amp. Discussions yesterday indicate I probably have never heard what the amp can really do, as balanced operation was designed into it from the outset and not an add-on as with other amps.
I have a printout of the 24 page user manual which goes into detail on how the basics work and how to get the best out of the amp and also the chunky heavy duty shielded mains cable which I've only ever seen with Levinson amps before.
Review here - http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/404/#8yAt89vLHWB5TX0M.97
Collection only from just outside of Saffron Walden in Essex. I don't have a box, live too far out on the Suffolk coast and this amp is too bloody heavy to risk to a carrier in a third party package despite its diminutive size when compared to its peers.
I'm looking for sensible offers around £850 please which is roughly what the older and less capable model gets these days. It's a proper Top End product, built to last a lifetime or more and it deserves an appreciative system using decent sources and a preamp that will get the best from it and sadly, I'm not in that league any more.
Pics to follow.