Rotel 1095 or Krell KAV-400xi

[Trevor]

I was looking for some insight as to which would be a better fit for my B&W 804S. I listen to mostly two channel but may decide buy center and rears for a home theater setup in the future. I can buy a 1095 for 1200 with full warranty from dealer or a Krell KAV-400xi in black for 2000 also with a full warranty. I know that Krell sounds good but I was wondering if anyone has owned or had the experience with both of these units. This is a big decision in that I will have to live with it for at least 6-7 years due to the wife wanting kids soon? verry soon. :roll:
Thanks
Trevor

[Joey_V]

Krell..

[Eliav]

I was looking for some insight as to which would be a better fit for my B&W 804S. I listen to mostly two channel but may decide buy center and rears for a home theater setup in the future. I can buy a 1095 for 1200 with full warranty from dealer or a Krell KAV-400xi in black for 2000 also with a full warranty. I know that Krell sounds good but I was wondering if anyone has owned or had the experience with both of these units. This is a big decision in that I will have to live with it for at least 6-7 years due to the wife wanting kids soon? verry soon. :roll:
Thanks
Trevor

I say trust your ears. listen to both with your speakers,if possible, in your own room. in the end of a day, it is you who will be left with the amp for 6-7 years, so YOU should be the one to like it.
Eliav

[akhter]

Krell..

I second that...

[kurtholz]

Krell, but i would consider used Kav2250 for two channel

[ami_gr]

Krell vs Rotel ???

I'd absolutely go for the Krell.

I drive my 802d with kav 400xi

Of caurse there is not the granite bass of more expensive models (with more than 400watts) but it produces a very detailed and rich sound that I really love

I also believe that its sound quality is far away from every Rotel.
(I like rotel but for lower price systems)

This is just my opinion. I agree that your ears will tell you what to do

[RobP]

Trevor, If your dealer is willing, take home both amplifiers for a weekend and see which one you like, My dealer will let me "check out" whatever equipment I want to take home and audition, getting to listen to these amplifiers in your home setting will be the best way to determine what is best for you.

[ShadowZA]

K....

[Karma]

HI,
Me too. Krell. There's no comparison.

Sparky

[Alex999]

Krell - ugly. Rotel - very pretty

[B&W 700 Guy]

Krell - ugly. Rotel - very pretty

Krell-Good, Rotel-Bad

[misterdoggy]

What about other brands like a used Classe Ca 201 or something. The Krell is probably the superior of the 2, but is not known for its sex appeal. The Rotel looks like bigger better, but the build quality is less. What about McIntosh, Classe and other good used Amps. $2000 can get you a decent used Amp on Audiogon !

[wolfgang]

If I could start all over again I get a more flexible amp like the 1095 or even a 1077 to passively bi-amp a pair of 804S in stereo or as the heart of the HT set up. The other is a intergrated stereo amp only but looks very pretty.

[chinets]

No Rotel or Krell Bashing please!!!

Trust your ears!!!!! ONLY!!!!!!!!!!

You might be very surprised that you might like the Rotel ,then again you could also fall In Love with the Krell !! So let your ears juge your options ,especially that you are contemplating going HT too In the near future!!!!

Rotel looks gorgeous... but Not Krell IMHO!! ops: On the other hand, the bass on Krell is powerful , Dynamic and tight, but then if you have a sub ,then that would cancell that out!! Right?? :roll:

It all depends on your delicate ears and the cash In your pocket. Rotel will save you a bundle, and is a fantastic product, and Krell ,although more expensive ,will serve you well In Stereo especially ,but you will have to dish out more $$$$!!! :T

Now go out there and audition the 2 and let us know what you think??

Keep us posted ,as we are just as curious as you are.
Cheers!!!!!

[Trevor]

I am going to bring both of them home and take a listen to see how they compare. My dealer is really cool and lets me demo anything I want. He knows that if I take it home it probably will not come back. It is a pretty good sales tactic. I am currently using an Adcom GFA-555II. This amp is an older model from the 1990's so I am hioping to hear a great improvement from my 804S with the amp change.
Thanks for the Information
Trevor

[akhter]

I am going to bring both of them home and take a listen to see how they compare. My dealer is really cool and lets me demo anything I want. He knows that if I take it home it probably will not come back. It is a pretty good sales tactic. I am currently using an Adcom GFA-555II. This amp is an older model from the 1990's so I am hioping to hear a great improvement from my 804S with the amp change.
Thanks for the Information
Trevor

Please let us know about you experiences with both models

[Race Car Driver]

I have not heard either, but if I had to make a choice, Krell would be before Rotel in any instance

[chinets]

Sorry, Don't agree with you Race Driver!! If you haven't heard either ,then you can't say Krell just because it is more expensive or is better promoted. Not every Mercedez car are the same. The top end models are great, but the lower end models are decent or OK. Same with Krell...Top of the line is awsome ,but down the line a Rotel could give a sensational run for it's money and probably even out do the Krell ,so watch what you preach ,as Trevor is confused here and wants the biggest bang for the buck, like we all do!!!

I truely believe in auditions and not word of mouth or value of the product, as you might be very surprised as to what you might like and what you might not. Then again when price influence is at stake, then small subtle differences vanish as you can live with a minor difference, but save at the same time $$$$ for something you might want to add to your NEW set up and make that more of a diffeerence ,and get a better set up than if you went for the more expensive set up alone. Think about that for a moment!!

My 2 cents IMHO!!!!!

Cheers

[Race Car Driver]

Sure, take a listen and see what you like, I wouldnt have it any other way.
And again, I havent had a chance to hear either, but everything I have seen and heard about, Krell > Rotel. Period. If you are going to compare Apples to Apples with the two, I dont see how Krell wouldnt be superior.


Anyways, Trevor let us know how you like the two for comparison. It sure would be sweet if the cheaper Rotel sounded better! Nothing like saving money.

Heres a few reviews I found.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0104/krellkav400xi.htm

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/205krell/index1.html

http://www.audioholics.com/productre...amplifier1.php

They both seem priced very fair, and that rotel seems to below most asking prices.

Heres some more rotel vs krell here on our own HTguide.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=19609

I was looking into Rotel equip for my 802s, but then I kept seeing all the issues pop up in the Rotel section, take a gander, multiple threads with listeners having issues with Rotel gear. Guess that was the turn off for me.

[Alex999]

Krell-Good, Rotel-Bad

Hehehe , let me think about this. Rotel - very pretty, but bad, very bad. This reminds me of my ex girlfriend. Now, I forgot what we were talking about here, lol.

cheers,
Alex

[Joey_V]

I wouldnt say Rotel is bad.... that's going a little too far.

Joey

[chinets]

Rotel is Good....Nice Puppy!!! Krell is bad...Ugly duckling !! What the hell!!!

Sorry, We are here to help Trevor, NOT Rotel and Krell Bashing. Please Guys!!! Thanks!!

Believe me BOTH are great amps. One is more Expensive and the other is reasonable, and they both sound fantastic!!!!! All you need to do Trevor is audition both, and make up your mind as to what pleases you musically and financially. There are so many more Amps out there in your price range, and they just might also appeal to you. So happy hunting my friend, as Amps in my opinion ,don't have much difference in sounds, but the power IMHO does count, so if you can hear a difference you like, then that is the Amp for you, if it is in your budget I guess???

Happy Hunting!!!!!
Cheers!!

[Alex999]

I have Rotel 1095. Both amps are good. We were just joking

[chinets]

No problem Alex999!!!
Just trying to help Trevor!!!

I have the 1095 too for HT with out of this world dynamics and is excellent ,but for music I have the Krell Psc 700 Mono blocks , and they are great too and NO COMMENT..WOW!!. The KAv-400 which I auditioned ,was a little bass shy ,but fantastic in every aspect ,so I guess it all depends on your ears, and what you use your system for. Are you More HT more than Music or Vise Versa? and the Budget ??ouch!!!! that is the one that hurts the most!!

Find the Amp you like and keep us posted please!
Cheers

[B&W 700 Guy]

I have Rotel 1095. Both amps are good. We were just joking

Exactly... no big deal

[alebonau]

I was looking for some insight as to which would be a better fit for my B&W 804S. I listen to mostly two channel but may decide buy center and rears for a home theater setup in the future. I can buy a 1095 for 1200 with full warranty from dealer or a Krell KAV-400xi in black for 2000 also with a full warranty. I know that Krell sounds good but I was wondering if anyone has owned or had the experience with both of these units. This is a big decision in that I will have to live with it for at least 6-7 years due to the wife wanting kids soon? verry soon. :roll:
Thanks
Trevor

as much as the krell wasnt to my taste given a choice of that or the rotel the krell woudl be my choice with the 804S

[chinets]

So what have you decided on TREVOR!!??

[dmccombs]

Trevor,

I have the 804S matched up with the Krell 300il (the model previous to the 400xi), and it sounds terrific. The 300il is 200 wpc, and has a slightly differnt sound to the 400xi, but I have been told they are very close.

I can't compare it to the rotel though as I never tried the Rotels.

Regards,
Darrell