B&W Dealer event

[Mark_C.]

One of our local dealers, San Francisco Stereo, hosted Krell CEO Dan D'Agostino the other night to introduce his new Revolution line. In a word, incredible! As for the price of the components: if you have to ask, you can't afford them. This event took place at SF Stereo's Mountain View store (in Silicon Valley for those unfamiliar with the location). There was a drawing for a Krell 400xi integrated amp. Unfortunately, I didn't win it. Oh well.
I took some photos with my wife's camera phone. Pardon the poor resolution.

[PewterTA]

Those look really nice! I take it from the size those are going to be a digital Amp line (talking about second picture from the left)? Or is that a lot bigger than the the picture looks? I don't follow Krell a whole lot so forgive my ignorance!

[johan]

No PewterTA, thats not digital amps. Second from the left is a one channel poweramp,(it is bigger than it looks). You'll need two sets of those. Pic in the middle is a 2 channel pre-amp, Totally separated (channel-wise, power supply*2).
So, to be able to listen to 2-channel music you'll need 8 boxes!!! Available in black too...

[PewterTA]

Okay I figured looking at it that it was a monoblock, but for some reason it just looked really small from what I'm used to seeing from Krell, guess it's just the picture. Thanks!

[Mark_C.]

Pewter:

They're monsters. Each amp has its own self-cleaning power supply. Each preamp has its own power supply. Each amp gets one preamp. D'Agostino says his two-channel systems will always be analog. He said the styling was inspired by Robbie the Robot from the movie Forbidden Planet.
Amps are $50,000 a pair.
Preamps are $40,000 a pair.
D'Agostino also told me that when he listens to amps from his older lines, he now can tell that they have a certain signature that emphasizes bass. He says he hasn't heard any coloration of sound with this line, but what else is he going to say?
Integrated vs. separates: regardless how good an integrated is, it's a compromise and not equal to separate amp and preamp.
Speaking of integrateds: I asked him why the 400xi came out so soon after the 300il. His answer: he found volume knobs. When the 300il first came out, he couldn't find the right part for a volume knob. There's no difference between the two units, he said, although he feels that the 400xi is better overall.

[BlazeMaster]

you sure you didn't win the giveaway amp? I spoke with Derek at SF Stereo and he said some guy named Mark got the giveaway.

[Mark_C.]

It wasn't me, I swear. Different Mark. I wish it had been me.

[caleb]

Just for my personal view they look like Christmas trees all lit up in blue - not my choice at all.

[jahlion]

Just for my personal view they look like Christmas trees all lit up in blue - not my choice at all.

I'm sure the LED's can be dimmed.

Those prices are absolutely crazy!