My Krell KAV 250a amp has arrived!!!

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited December 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
Thanks to Venomclan (Jeremy) for giving me a heads up on his sale of this beast. I was looking for a while for a 2 channel amp & pretty much had it narrowed down. Then Jeremy throws me a curve ball with his Krell for sale. Now I know there are a lot of guys with a love/hate kind of thing when it comes to Krell amps. Non the less, my interest was aroused.

So, I do a google search on the Krell KAV 250a & find nothing but great reviews on its sound quality, performance (glorious power as Robert Harley puts it) & exceptional build quality. The two reviews that really peeked my interest in the amp were the one review by Robert Harley in a A/V Guide article & the one in Home Theater Magazine. They both couldn't say enough great things about the KAV 250a. Now I have to find out for myself what all the hoopla is about.

I know you can only put so much stock into reviews & the only true way to know how well a piece of gear performs is to give it a whirl in your own system. So I took the plunge & told Jeremy we have a deal. Truth be told, I always wanted to give a listen to a Krell. Now I'm getting ready to hook it up & take it for a test drive. A review on my findings will follow shortly.

I can't wait to hear my AAD 2001 monitors with this baby driving them.

As a side note, Jeremy is a great guy to deal with. He responded quickly to all PM's & his shipping was as promised. Great packaging, amp looks fantastic!! He also thru in a pair of Audioquest Type 4 speakers for me to do a head to head with my Mapleshade Golden Helix cables. A very nice gesture on his part!! Put him on your good guy Polkie list.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited December 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Thanks to Venomclan (Jeremy) for giving me a heads up on his sale of this beast. I was looking for a while for a 2 channel amp & pretty much had it narrowed down. Then Jeremy throws me a curve ball with his Krell for sale. Now I know there are a lot of guys with a love/hate kind of thing when it comes to Krell amps. Non the less, my interest was aroused.

    So, I do a google search on the Krell KAV 250a & find nothing but great reviews on its sound quality, performance (glorious power as Robert Harley puts it) & exceptional build quality. The two reviews that really peeked my interest in the amp were the one review by Robert Harley in a A/V Guide article & the one in Home Theater Magazine. They both couldn't say enough great things about the KAV 250a. Now I have to find out for myself what all the hoopla is about.

    I know you can only put so much stock into reviews & the only true way to know how well a piece of gear performs is to give it a whirl in your own system. So I took the plunge & told Jeremy we have a deal. Truth be told, I always wanted to give a listen to a Krell. Now I'm getting ready to hook it up & take it for a test drive. A review on my findings will follow shortly.

    I can't wait to hear my AAD 2001 monitors with this baby driving them.

    As a side note, Jeremy is a great guy to deal with. He responded quickly to all PM's & his shipping was as promised. Great packaging, amp looks fantastic!! He also thru in a pair of Audioquest Type 4 speakers for me to do a head to head with my Mapleshade Golden Helix cables. A very nice gesture on his part!! Put him on your good guy Polkie list.
    :cool: let shack know about the transaction :)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2007
    halo wrote: »
    :cool: let shack know about the transaction :)

    Where have you been Victor???? Do you see that "13" under your name in every post? :)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited December 2007
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Where have you been Victor???? Do you see that "13" under your name in every post? :)
    ya, and?
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2007
    And, Shack is taking a break. Feedback is done directly by buyers/sellers
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2007
    Great Phil. I can't wait to hear it too. I bet that it will really round out your rig. That bad boy should drive those AADs with ease and plenty of headroom. I'll also bet that they don't bottom out like all the others have.

    Ding, ding, Ric and Vic round 1 over!!!:D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2007
    I hope it sounds good. Let us know.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2007
    Glad to hear the amp arrived in one piece, thank you for the nice words Phil. We are dying for a review. :)
    Venom

    P.S. I guess I should remove it from my gear list, I am going to miss it.
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    Krell KAV250A + Thiel 3.6 = Best Sound I've Heard
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2007
    Just so everyone else here knows, Ron doesn't have much, if any, high frequency hearing left. ;)
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited December 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    Just so everyone else here knows, Ron doesn't have much, if any, high frequency hearing left. ;)

    HA!!!:D:D That explains it!
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    Ouch!!!
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    Just so everyone else here knows, Ron doesn't have much, if any, high frequency hearing left. ;)

    So you are saying the Krell and his ears may have a synergistic relationship. :D
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    The Thiels provide the natural clarity of a first-order cross-over network... especially in the high frequency range.

    The Krell provides the bass-slam that the Thiels need for a good solid bottom end.

    The synergy that madmax suggests is really between Krell and Thiel. Anyone with half a brain can appreciate it.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2007
    I've heard the rumours that Krell and Thiel are bright. Still a rumour for Krell because I have not heard that specific amp, but I can say that Thiels are not bright, at least not if paired with decent electronics.

    By the way, when I was at Thiel I auditioned the new 3.7's powered by two monster Krell evolution monoblocks. They did not sound bright to me (And, I would assume that if it was a bad combination, they would not use them for demos).
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2007
    I've heard the rumours that Krell and Thiel are bright.

    That has been my personal experience and I don't like B&W's either. To each their own.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited December 2007
    I've had Thiels and I've had Krell....although not together, but it wouldn't be my dream combo.

    I like Krell mated to a warmer speaker.

    Big B&W's rock, you old ****.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2007
    Yeah, that me.....just an old ****. :D
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited December 2007
    Wow, people can actually disagree and laugh about it?

    Novel concept.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    Krell is a very detailed amp. Very fast transient response motorola op-amps.
    Thiel is an incredibly detailed speaker.

    Ya gotta have the intricate signal details in the: source, the preamp, the amp, and the speakers if the listener is going to hear it. Of course, this assumes a listener without any natural, age-related, high frequecny roll-offs in their perception.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2007
    Novel indeed. Of course, it helps when you have a normal, well adjusted attitude.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    No they DON'T! They give me headaches!:p;):D
    TroyD wrote: »
    Big B&W's rock...

    BDT
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited December 2007
    cfrizz wrote: »
    No they DON'T! They give me headaches!:p;):D


    Yeah, well you've got a small pec.......what a minute, that joke REALLY doesn't apply. :D



    I have ALWAYS dug the B&W 800 series. It would really be a tossup, for me, between those and the Quads...but the Quads are more suited to my current setup.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited December 2007
    cfrizz wrote: »
    No they DON'T! They give me headaches!:p;):D


    Yeah, well you've got a small pec.......what a minute, that joke REALLY doesn't apply in this case. :D


    I have ALWAYS dug the B&W 800 series. It would really be a tossup, for me, between those and the Quads...but the Quads are more suited to my current setup.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    :eek: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA:D:D:D

    Oh God my stomach hurts from laughing!!!! PRICELESS!:D

    Oh yeah... you run like a girl! So there!:p

    TroyD wrote: »
    Yeah, well you've got a small pec.......what a minute, that joke REALLY doesn't apply in this case. :D


    I have ALWAYS dug the B&W 800 series. It would really be a tossup, for me, between those and the Quads...but the Quads are more suited to my current setup.

    BDT
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Yashu
    Yashu Posts: 772
    edited December 2007
    B/W.... Warm? Forget the joke made at someone else's expense for a second, kids, the B/W comment was gold.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2007
    Hey Phil, sorry for the derail. Congrats on the new amp and I look forward to your impressions.





    Other than that, no one said B&W was a warm speaker. This is what they said, "I like Krell mated to a warmer speaker." Big difference.


    I also understand the small **** issue is limited to those with fast cars and fast music as a lifestyle.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    I also understand the small **** issue is limited to those with fast cars and fast music as a lifestyle.

    And big amps and big speakers... :D
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited December 2007
    Damn, max. If that's the case a lot of us have "issues". :eek:

    **clears throat**.....Not here of course....
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited December 2007
    Where are the pics???????????????????????????????
    Congrats
    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited December 2007
    F1nut wrote: »
    That has been my personal experience and I don't like B&W's either. To each their own.

    B&W don't even make decent speaker stands for other speakers.:rolleyes::D
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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