Long time no see... in this thread that is.
I started this thread due to my interest in newer Krell models. I used Krell KAV 300i in the end of the 90'es. I loved it and compared it to a lot of other brands but nothing was better i thougt. When I had the posibilities to use poweramps and pre- I bought evo 402 and 202 as a start. Never was 100% comfartable with evo 402 as I thougt was a bit to clean an gray in the sound. Therefore Gryphon were better during that time. But I look back in time and compared manyu differnt brands also with alder units. I liked FPB and KCT even better. I still own evo 202 and also KCR-HR but du to my taste and testing krell FPB and KCT Preamp is the best Krell ever made.
Therefor I decided to build up my system with these parts.
I us Tri-amping: Krell 400cx, Krell 350mcx (monos) and 400mcx (monos). Krell Cast from preamp-KCT to monoamp 350 and 450, Nordost Valhalla XLR to stereoamp 400cx.
This suits my system very well I think.
With small modifications (extra subwoffer etc), this is how it looks today.
I moved 400cx into the rack and you can se the subwoofer at the left.
From the sweet spot.
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Below you can read about how i tried 3 different Krell pre-amps and look at pictures from some years ago.
For quite some time I'v been looking for some Krell amps. I like the idea of Bi-Amping my The Sonus faber. I like the sound of Krell FPB very much. The problem is that they have not being produced for a long time, for around 15 years.
So, I have to search for used units. It's not that easy. A lot of things have to fit into my demands. Safe purchase in any aspects, units in good conditions, it should be one of my FPB candidates models that I think suits my system and so on.
At first I thought a pair of 350mc or 450mcx were the only options. But I found a 400cx in very good condition. I tried it and was impressed. I tried it solo so that I could hear what it really performed. It was very close to my 350mc. It's the same amplification 350mc apart from that 400cx has got more watt-power but only one transformer that supports both right and left channel. I think most people would be impressed actually. At least my friends that were helping me evaluate it.
Now the plan is to use 400cx for my 15`woofers, 18-80Hz and 350mc 80-30.000(+) Hz.
I have to try this more careful but I think 350mc is better from mid-bas and up, a bit more transparency, air, and holographic depth. And 400cx has got more power for the lower end.
I'v got three more questiens to answer.
Preamp, speaker cables and interconnection.
Preamp: At the first I had 2 preamps. Krell KCR-HR and Krell evo202. Both re good but KRC-HR is more fun. Krell evo 202 has the Cast connection to the FPB amps.
KCR-HR lack the possibility to biamp... but Nordost can build a special cable with a split so that I can use biamping. It's bit complicated I think.
Why not try Krell KCT preamp I thought? Ok, found a used one in good condition and tried it.
It's actually a god mix of KCR-HR and Evo202. Still fun to listen to with very good bas ability and at the same time more open than KCR-HR from lower mid to treble. It's also more transparent. It lacks a bit power in the mid bas compared to KCR-HR but it's still enough to hit you hard in the chest. It's over all more open and voices are a bit more pronounced.
I like it and it also has CAST and ability to Bi-Amp The Sf.
I'm not done jet. I have to make another round with Evo202 and KCT. But so far KCT is the candidate on top.
I just want to point out that these three preamps are good and I could live happy for all my life with each of them, but since I think it's fun to really figure this out I will consider every aspect of the sound the way I like it.
To try them side by side is really interesting.
My speaker kan use three speakercables. Deep low (18-80hz), low and Mid-Hi conections.
Speakercable: I have to think about this. I use Nordost overall in my system. Of course Nordost Odin would be the best option, no doubt about it. The Odin I'v got has to run the low and mid-hi and I thinking of another cable to deep low. I will try different cables with good low frequency ability. We will see how this turns out.
Interconnections: I decided to go with the Cast option and try to find Nordost Cast cable that is slightly better then Krell Cast cables. I'v got some Nordost Cast from earlier days but they are a bit short.
Three generations Krell remote:
