My Krell KAV 250a amp has arrived!!!

24

Comments

  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2007
    venomclan wrote: »
    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.

    This friggin thing is more than I expected. The ease in which it conveys the music is down right spooky. And talk about bass, holy **** Batman!!! After more listening I'll add more but for now I am very, very impressed to say the least.

    When I first hooked it up, I had a terible ground loop hum!!! WTF!!! After trial & error & a few phone calls I found the culprit. Thanks to Jos (a pure genius) we nailed the problem...my TADAC was the problem. I threw a cheater plug on it & now everything is dead silence. blacker than black background. What a difference in everything.

    How'd we get on the subject of B&W speakers??? Just start a new thred.
    "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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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    Pearsall001, are you running in balanced mode? If not, have you put in the little copper "clips"... they are absolutely needed to run in single-ended configuration (properly).

    Balanced mode (XLR) drops the black background an additional -6db.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2007
    rskarvan wrote: »
    Balanced mode (XLR) drops the black background an additional -6db.

    Ron is that in short runs also?
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2007
    rskarvan wrote: »
    Pearsall001, are you running in balanced mode? If not, have you put in the little copper "clips"... they are absolutely needed to run in single-ended configuration (properly).

    Balanced mode (XLR) drops the black background an additional -6db.

    I'm running single ended not balanced. The amp didn't come with the pins for the XLR inputs, I'll give Krell a call & see if I can get a pair. Krell does recommend to use the pins when running single ended mode.

    Edit to my previous post. That was Joe not Jos who is the genius.

    Joe, I'm suprised you didn't nail me on that one LOL!!!! :D
    "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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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2007
    OK Phil. Have you done a speaker wire comparo yet?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2007
    ben62670 wrote: »
    OK Phil. Have you done a speaker wire comparo yet?

    I've done a few but I keep going back to the Mapleshade Golden Helix speaker cables. Now with the new Krell in line I'll try 'em all again. The ones I presently have are, Signal Cable (ultra), River Cable (Starflex) very goog by the way. Canara 4-11S, My own clone of Anti-cables, & a hodge podge of a few others. I just wind up with the Mapleshades back in my system.

    Venomclan sent me a pair of Audioquest Type 4 cables to do a comparison. I'll try to get that done shortly. The only problem I see with them is the size of their spades, they might just be a bit small for my binding posts. The AAD 2001 monitors have HUGE binding posts. I'll find out shortly.
    "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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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Ron is that in short runs also?

    I believe so.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I've done a few but I keep going back to the Mapleshade Golden Helix speaker cables. Now with the new Krell in line I'll try 'em all again. The ones I presently have are, Signal Cable (ultra), River Cable (Starflex) very goog by the way. Canara 4-11S, My own clone of Anti-cables, & a hodge podge of a few others. I just wind up with the Mapleshades back in my system.

    Venomclan sent me a pair of Audioquest Type 4 cables to do a comparison. I'll try to get that done shortly. The only problem I see with them is the size of their spades, they might just be a bit small for my binding posts. The AAD 2001 monitors have HUGE binding posts. I'll find out shortly.

    Cool.
    I am really interested in what you think of the AQ's compared to the mapleshades, and the Canare 411's
    Thanks
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited December 2007
    You cable geeks are funny. LOL Just having fun with you guys.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    You cable geeks are funny. LOL Just having fun with you guys.

    engtaz

    Funny HaHa, or just Funny:confused::p:D
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    When I first got my KAV 250A, I ran it in single-ended mode and was reasonably impressed. Then, I got the KAV250P and went balanced and was blown away by how much improvement (and volume boost) was attained.

    Now, I wouldn'te even consider running single-ended if I didn't have abolutely have to.

    - Ron
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    This friggin thing is more than I expected. The ease in which it conveys the music is down right spooky. And talk about bass, holy **** Batman!!! After more listening I'll add more but for now I am very, very impressed to say the least.

    When I first hooked it up, I had a terible ground loop hum!!! WTF!!! After trial & error & a few phone calls I found the culprit. Thanks to Jos (a pure genius) we nailed the problem...my TADAC was the problem. I threw a cheater plug on it & now everything is dead silence. blacker than black background. What a difference in everything.

    How'd we get on the subject of B&W speakers??? Just start a new thred.

    That pretty much sums up that amp. Blacker than black background. Spooky silence, speed and bass that you can feel in your chest. Like I said, I dare you to try to clip that thing :eek: Glad you are enjoying it. Venom
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2007
    rskarvan wrote: »
    When I first got my KAV 250A, I ran it in single-ended mode and was reasonably impressed. Then, I got the KAV250P and went balanced and was blown away by how much improvement (and volume boost) was attained.

    Now, I wouldn'te even consider running single-ended if I didn't have abolutely have to.

    - Ron

    Hey Ron,

    What pre did you have before the 250p? Was the improvement as great as your saying. I'm getting half tempted to give one a try & do a head to head with my CJ PV14LS2 pre. As it stands now, I'm very pleased with the CJ. But stranger things have happened!!

    Phil
    "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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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    I was running single-ended from my Denon 3801 receiver. The Denon provided a clean, clear signal - no problem there. But, the electronics of the 250p and the 250a are simply meant to be tied together via XLR (both systems are entirely balanced circuits).

    The best way to describe the experience is that it "felt like my KAV-250A amp doubled in power and control".
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited December 2007
    venomclan wrote: »
    I dare you to try to clip that thing
    Bring it to my house ;):D
    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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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Edit to my previous post. That was Joe not Jos who is the genius.

    Joe, I'm suprised you didn't nail me on that one LOL!!!! :D

    Why should I ruin such a great compliment, however, I am no genius when it comes to this stuff. I just applied a little common sense and troubleshooting skills learned in tech school.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2007
    halo wrote: »
    Bring it to my house ;):D

    Would love to see what torture we could throw at it. But now it is Phil's, and I am Krell-less :(

    I borrowed a pair of Carver Silver 9T's at 575watts and stable to 0 ohms. I felt the Krell had more speed and power.

    The Krell is rated at 2000 watts at 8ohm bridged mono. But I cannot ever see using that mode since a standard 15 amp circuit only has 1800 watts. I would hate to hear the speakers that need that much juice. Let's throw it on a Bose and see if they combust, may even sound good :)
    Venom
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited December 2007
    venomclan wrote: »
    Would love to see what torture we could throw at it.
    Victor is one of them strange people that own and likes ESL speakers. :D Electrostatic panels present a capacitive load to an amp, and he likes to see them go unstable, or have the protection circuitry kick in.:eek: I have read that folks use the Krell 250A with Quad's and they performed well.

    Sorry you had to give up your Krell.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited December 2007
    I wouldn't recommend that with a pair of Quad ESL-57's unless you have a fire extinguisher handy.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited December 2007
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Funny HaHa, or just Funny:confused::p:D

    Funny HaHa

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited December 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    Where are the pics???????????????????????????????
    Congrats
    engtaz

    Ditto,
    nice going man. Krell has always been my personal favorite.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2007
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Victor is one of them strange people that own and likes ESL speakers. :D Electrostatic panels present a capacitive load to an amp, and he likes to see them go unstable, or have the protection circuitry kick in.:eek: I have read that folks use the Krell 250A with Quad's and they performed well.

    Sorry you had to give up your Krell.

    Man, there are just some sicko's out there...lol j/k. I heard a different Krell amp with some Sonus Faber Cremonas and it was Incredible. I later heard a more powerful Krell with some Martin Logans and it was Shrill city. I loved the Krell but it did not get along with the Gallos. So I went on a search for a better match and ended with this: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/butler/2250.html

    They use this amp on some Gallos in the review. It is more musical with the Gallos than the Krell. But gives up a bit in bottom end and blackness.

    Oh well, that is how the audio cookie crumbles...but at least the amp is getting new life at Phil's place. :)
    Venon
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2007
    Well I did it!!! I couldn't control myself this time. I had to get the matching Krell KAV 250p preamp from venomclan to go with the Krell KAV 250a amp I just picked up from him. I'm helping venom with his audio house cleaning!! LOL!!

    Now I'll be able to do a head to head with my CJ preamp to see which one I like the best. When the shoot out's over, one of them will have to go. Which one will it be???? Or maybe I'll keep both to play with. Stay tuned.

    Thanks venom, that Krell is rocking my world!!! :D

    Phil
    "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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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2007
    Man I can't wait to hear this!
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited December 2007
    The Krell KAV250p is a sequence of resistors loading the signal at low volumes. When you exceed unity gain, the 250p has matching circuitry for the gain.

    Its a no brainer - I think. Sell the CJ.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    Wow, congrats Phil! I'm glad you're having fun.
    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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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2007
    rskarvan wrote: »
    The Krell KAV250p is a sequence of resistors loading the signal at low volumes. When you exceed unity gain, the 250p has matching circuitry for the gain.

    Its a no brainer - I think. Sell the CJ.

    Let's not jump the gun here. The CJ is no slouch!!! It's gonna be a fun comparison.

    Maybe we need to start a pool!!!
    "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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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Let's not jump the gun here. The CJ is no slouch!!! It's gonna be a fun comparison.

    Maybe we need to start a pool!!!

    I wouldn't go there Bro! The CJ is a very, very fine preamp but remember the Krells were made for each other.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2007
    Fight! Fight! Fight!:D
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2007
    LOL!!! Not between me and Phil. The only thing we go at it about like Miller Lite commercial is: Digital vs. Analog!
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