In my research to upgrade. I had my heart set on the 802D ,SSP-800 and the 5200 amp, but the actual dealer who wants to sell the ssp800 made a coment that the 802D would sound much better with an entry level krell over the classe 5200. Can someone enlighten me on your thoughts and opinions, What would be the least expensinve Krell I could go with that would make the 802D sound better than the classe 5200. Also any opinions on the Krell S1200U?
Krell and B&W owners
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He didn't suggest McIntosh? I owned Classe, Krell and Mac. It really depends on YOUR ears. Krell amps are known for bass. While my MC205 (200wpc) played nicely, the MC501's really opened up my 802d's, and the MC1.2k even more. Guess it depends on your room size and what your looking for. You can't go wrong with either amp. Wish I could be more helpful.BOB- Bottom
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I have always felt that Krell is the best match for B&W. Krell is heavy in the base, which is the exact area that B&W speakers need the most support, while being forgiving on the midrange and high end of the speaker. I guarantee you will fall in love with these setups. Two people I know replaced their Classe systems when they realized how Krell balances their power in the lower frequencies. Even I made a Krell purchase. It is all about system balance and the Krell makes up for some of the inherent design differences that the 800 series possess.- Bottom
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Right now I am using Krell amplification (KAV-3250 + KAV-2250) to drive my 802D's. I'm also using their latest processor, the S-1200 (not the "u" model). I am very satisfied. The high current KAV's run comparatively cool and yet exert significant control over the 802D's, Ok ... I am planning an amplificatuon upgrade to Krell's EVO 403e to drive my front end - but this goal has been a longterm one - let it not detract from the fact that in my opinion the KAV amps are fantastic. (I like the KAV amps so much that even though an upgrade is in the pipeline, I'm not selling the KAV - the plan is to use it in a second smaller system). Unfortunately, I cannot give you any comparative opinions. The best would be to try to audition them for yourself. It's the sound that YOU like that would be right for you. I'm assuming that you're looking towards the Krell S-275 amplifiers. These are an upgrade to the previous model KAV amps.
Good luck and please keep us posted.- Bottom
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1st rule of thumb, always listen to all amps or speakers before the big purchase. B&W speakers are very musical and do reflect different amp styles.
I would describe the amps as follow:
Krell: Dynamic, bright, detail
Macs: Fluid/silky
Classe: Airy
All three amps are very good and have its own strengths and weaknesses. I listen to jazz, pop, rock so I bought the Krells. I tried classical/orchestra music, and Macs sounded best IMO.
Good luck.- Bottom
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bigchief,
I will echo what has been said here. All of these are very good. It comes down to doing a serious audition on all of them.
I did that and the Mac's were the best for me. It's serious money, so do the listening.
Will you dealer allow you to take equipment home to demo? That would be ideal.
Are you considering mixing amp and processor (i.e. Classe pre with Krell amp, etc.). My experience says keeping the processor and amps the same maker is ideal for system synergy.
One minor (maybe) thing I did notice about the Krell amps. They get pretty hot. I've never seen a amp maker list BTU outputs for amps before, but Krell does. You need to give LOTs of room around them.
Hope this helps.- Bottom
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Originally posted by crytklmassHe didn't suggest McIntosh? I owned Classe, Krell and Mac. It really depends on YOUR ears. Krell amps are known for bass. While my MC205 (200wpc) played nicely, the MC501's really opened up my 802d's, and the MC1.2k even more. Guess it depends on your room size and what your looking for. You can't go wrong with either amp. Wish I could be more helpful.- Bottom
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Originally posted by RedWolfI have always felt that Krell is the best match for B&W. Krell is heavy in the base, which is the exact area that B&W speakers need the most support, while being forgiving on the midrange and high end of the speaker. I guarantee you will fall in love with these setups. Two people I know replaced their Classe systems when they realized how Krell balances their power in the lower frequencies. Even I made a Krell purchase. It is all about system balance and the Krell makes up for some of the inherent design differences that the 800 series possess.- Bottom
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Originally posted by ShadowZARight now I am using Krell amplification (KAV-3250 + KAV-2250) to drive my 802D's. I'm also using their latest processor, the S-1200 (not the "u" model). I am very satisfied. The high current KAV's run comparatively cool and yet exert significant control over the 802D's, Ok ... I am planning an amplificatuon upgrade to Krell's EVO 403e to drive my front end - but this goal has been a longterm one - let it not detract from the fact that in my opinion the KAV amps are fantastic. (I like the KAV amps so much that even though an upgrade is in the pipeline, I'm not selling the KAV - the plan is to use it in a second smaller system). Unfortunately, I cannot give you any comparative opinions. The best would be to try to audition them for yourself. It's the sound that YOU like that would be right for you. I'm assuming that you're looking towards the Krell S-275 amplifiers. These are an upgrade to the previous model KAV amps.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
The stores here won't let me take any equipment home. I don't have that kind of rapport yet, or should I say I have not spent that type of money with them yet :B :B- Bottom
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Originally posted by DeepEndX1st rule of thumb, always listen to all amps or speakers before the big purchase. B&W speakers are very musical and do reflect different amp styles.
I would describe the amps as follow:
Krell: Dynamic, bright, detail
Macs: Fluid/silky
Classe: Airy
All three amps are very good and have its own strengths and weaknesses. I listen to jazz, pop, rock so I bought the Krells. I tried classical/orchestra music, and Macs sounded best IMO.
Good luck.
As for music we have similar taste in that jazz especially an old vocal piece is my primary choice then pop/r&b and rock.- Bottom
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Originally posted by htstevebigchief,
I will echo what has been said here. All of these are very good. It comes down to doing a serious audition on all of them.
I did that and the Mac's were the best for me. It's serious money, so do the listening.
Will you dealer allow you to take equipment home to demo? That would be ideal.
Are you considering mixing amp and processor (i.e. Classe pre with Krell amp, etc.). My experience says keeping the processor and amps the same maker is ideal for system synergy.
One minor (maybe) thing I did notice about the Krell amps. They get pretty hot. I've never seen a amp maker list BTU outputs for amps before, but Krell does. You need to give LOTs of room around them.
Hope this helps.
I have talked to the wife about finding a store here in Florida or Georgia and go listen to a Krell setup. I will also find a Mac dealer to. They are jsut all spread out. No one dealer here seems to carry the combination.
As for heat of the amp, I had plan on installing a fan on top of the amp anyway to push the heat away, because I have plans off installing it under the Ht screen somewhat in its on rollable rack in a cabinet.
And which ever amp I go with I will stay with the processors.- Bottom
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Originally posted by bigchiefI will have to listen to a set of 802D with a krell amp some how before making my final decision. I have heard it with the Classe 5200, but the guys seemed to have the volumn up a bit to wake the speakers up. Who ws the same guy that said he recommended a Krell over the Classe gear. As for music we have similar taste in that jazz especially an old vocal piece is my primary choice then pop/r&b and rock.Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you're a thousand miles from the corn field."Dwight D. Eisenhower- Bottom
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Originally posted by bigchiefI will have to listen to a set of 802D with a krell amp some how before making my final decision. I have heard it with the Classe 5200, but the guys seemed to have the volumn up a bit to wake the speakers up. Who ws the same guy that said he recommended a Krell over the Classe gear.
As for music we have similar taste in that jazz especially an old vocal piece is my primary choice then pop/r&b and rock.- Bottom
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A quick update (which may be of some assistence):
I've had my new Krell Evolution 403e amp for two weeks now and it is incredible imho. The KAV amp is no slouch, but the 403e takes it to another level altogether. It is as if a veil has been removed and all that is presented is simply the music, only the music and nothing but the music. I am not able to define the 403e's signature, for (imho) there is none. The music it amplifies is not harsh, not bright. Dynamic it sure is. Generally speaking, it is as if the musical instruments themselves are being played in my lounge. Sounds such as the tizz on cymbals seem to be absolutely complete and last longer, as if I were striking them myself. Bass is perfect. Better than the KAV? Yes! Imho, the 403e allows the music through ... untainted. It can also deliver masses of power and controls my 802D's like I've never experienced before. There were a few times that I felt the KAV was close to clipping (not too difficult to sense) when pushing my 802D's - it did not clip, but minor distortions were there. Not so with the 403e. Simply put ... the 403e is rocking me right outta my chair!
My apologies for me seeming to be egging you on ... that is sincerely not my intention. I felt that I needed to share my opinion on my experience between the KAV amp & the latest EVOe acquisition. If I were on a budget, knowing what I've experienced lately ... I'd probably look for a second hand KAV amp to keep me going until an EVOe amp became affordable.
Best of luck.- Bottom
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If you can give a Chord amplifier a listen too.... There I got mine in...Main System:
B&W 801D
Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
Oppo BDP-105
Squeezebox Touch
Second System:
B&W CM7
Emotiva UMC-1
Emotiva UPA-2
Oppo BDP-83SE
Grant Fidelity DAC-09
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I had a Krell TAS 5x200 that I recently sold and went to a Classe CT 5300. I felt it was a big upgrade. The krell had a midrange that had a slight bit of harshness with my 800Ds. The new Classe has a very smooth midrange and sounds great with the bass too. I had two others with me when we installed the new Classe and everyone couldn't believe the difference with the Classe over the Krell TAS even though the Classe was right out of the box new without break-in.- Bottom
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My experience with Krell and B&W points to the fact they are better suited with 800D, and 801D, because these speakers has a more flat response than the others,which means no coloration in any frequency especially in the mids and highs.
Among the Krells amps no doubt, the evolution series are one of the best i heard and sound very different than the old KAV and FPB series, much more musical and no analytical. The Classe Delta is surelly a step down compared to Evolutions. The Evolutions IMO would be just compared with big McIntosh (1,2KW and above).- Bottom
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