Krell K-300i Integrated Amp Review & Comments

I have ner ever heard a krell amp...very intrigued now...
 
Entirely out of my league, but I love the look of the silver version.
 
I am also interested in the Krell K-300i until I stumbled on this comparison review https://www.hegel.com/images/reviews/H390hificriticuk.pdf

The Krell K-300i scores very well in that review but in the end they prefer the Hegel H390. So, I’ve added the Hegel to my list now as well. The Hegel is still not Roon Ready although it was promised over a year ago.
 
Never Forget...
  • In times long past, this planet was the home of a mighty and noble race of beings which called themselves the Krell. Ethically, as well as technologically, they were a million years ahead of humankind.
  • The fool, the meddling idiot. As though his ape's brain could contain the secrets of the Krell.
 
Surprised that you still preferred Chord combo over this. At this price point I would expect it to be doing all singing and dancing :D
 
Or...Captain Kremin and the Krell People:)

At this kind of budget, although quite different, I wonder how a Luxman 509 would compare? Just gotta love those VU metres, pure HiFi Porn.
 
Surprised that you still preferred Chord combo over this. At this price point I would expect it to be doing all singing and dancing :D

The Chord duo is decoding only and almost the same price as the Krell that is amp and decoder so I'm not surprised at all.
 
*This story may be true, it may not. I take no responsibility for it's validity!

I can remember reading on a forum, many, many years ago, that someone picked a Krell transport and dac at a yard sale for just a couple of hundred bucks. They were being sold by someone who obviously had absolutely no idea of their true value, as far as they were concerned they were just big, heavy, ugly and complicated - I'm pretty sure that they only had the items in the first place because the previous owner of the house they had just moved into had left a load of items behind, these were found boxed up in the basement, so they were just getting what the could for all the clutter.
 
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We are moving more in the direction of an all in one and even the big boys are realising this. I am not convinced though about integrating a DAC into an amp as this technology is still changing. I prefer the idea of a slot in module for the DAC or a totally separate DAC, but then that means more clutter. Would be good to compare this with the McIntosh MA5200
 
We are moving more in the direction of an all in one and even the big boys are realising this. I am not convinced though about integrating a DAC into an amp as this technology is still changing. I prefer the idea of a slot in module for the DAC or a totally separate DAC, but then that means more clutter. Would be good to compare this with the McIntosh MA5200
I agree, I've never been happier with my music than I am atm. This is something I'd consider in the future and I expect it to be much better than what I have have currently but it should be for the price.
 
Or...Captain Kremin and the Krell People:)

At this kind of budget, although quite different, I wonder how a Luxman 509 would compare? Just gotta love those VU metres, pure HiFi Porn.
The new integrated amplifier I'm ordering online next week has VU metres. Much cheaper and less powerful than the Krell but enough power for my bookshelf speakers.

PicsArt_08-09-08.55.11.jpg
 
This brand always reminds me of the film 'Forbidden Planet' which is one of my all time faves
 
This brand always reminds me of the film 'Forbidden Planet' which is one of my all time faves
Yup! my post #6 is just direct quotes from that Movie
 
Luxman PD300/SME Series V/Koetsu Red/Mission 777/776/ GALE GS401 (Chrome) - that was a fun system to live with back in the '80's' :)

KRELL - happy to give it a go, have only ever tried KRELL Pre/Pro's, I doubt too many folk would not be happy with having one in their kit rack.

'Picking one of those up?' - try a pair of Musical Fidelity A570 :)

Stereo amps with 'digital' inputs has to be the way to go for many folk.

Joe
 
i'm still listening to one of the Krell KAV 300I integrated amps and i quite like it
i would imagine the new K-300I will be awesome but way out of my price

maybe be in a few years when the second hand price is more within reach
 
Hi folks,

I've just been home- trialling a Krell K-300i, kindly lent to me by the nice chaps at Guildford Audio. I was interested in it as a possible replacement for my existing Accuphase E-650 integrated amp, which is a great-sounding (and looking) device, but being not too nippy on my pins these days, getting up to physically switch the Accuphase over to direct amp input for A/V duties has become a bit of a nuisance. Also, the idea of a single box amp, pre, DAC, streamer with HDMI input appealed.

Being stuck indoors with nowt much else left to do, I've spent the better part of two days listening to various diverse recordings from different sources - Chord DAVE/Mscaler DAC, & LP12 turntable.

Anyway, I'll cut to the chase; the Krell does sound pretty good, with a lively, exciting sound quality. But having now put the Accuphase back in my system (Naim DBL loudspeakers) there really is no contest to my ears, in my system: The Accuphase has a richness and depth that eludes the Krell, and there is a lack of harshness that shows even dodgy recordings at their best. There's also a more detailed quality to bass notes and a lovely resonance that the Krell doesn't capture.

I didn't get as far as trying the digital inputs, given the difference in sound quality. Maybe the Krell sound will suit other systems better, it's certainly a very impressive thing.
 
I have owned an ex-demo Krell k300i now for half a year and its absolutely superb. Its realism, dynamic contrasts, power, overall sound and excitement are amazing. It's bass is so punchy and realistic too. Honestly, I don't think anyone can go wrong with this amp.
 

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