There are products I've heard audio snobs dismiss as "mid-fi"—Tyll Hertsens' delightful little HeadRoom headphone amplifiers, for example—purely because they're cheap enough to bring them in reach of those who don't have unlimited disposable income.
On the other hand, there are high-priced products—I'll draw a kindly veil over which ones, this not being the appropriate forum to add to their manufacturers' miseries—which audiophiles almost…
Description: Solid-state stereo power amplifier. Maximum power output: 50W into 8 ohms (17dBW), doubles with each halving of load impedance down to 1 ohm.
Dimensions: 19" W by 9" H (including feet) by 19" D (including handles). Weight: 60 lbs (net).
Serial number of unit tested: not noted.
Price: $1900 (1995); no longer available (2007).
Manufacturer: Krell Industries, Milford, CT 06460 (1985); Krell Industries, 45 Connair Drive, Orange, CT 06477. Tel: (203) 799-9954. Fax: (203) 799-9796. Web: www.krellonline.com.
Ever since I made the acquaintance of my first Krell product—the KSA-50 power amplifier—I've been impressed by this Connecticut-based company'…
Once upon a time, Krell power amplifiers claimed and achieved low distortion factors. This wasn't a specific design feature, but a byproduct of their inherently linear circuitry. As good-sounding modern amplifiers continue to demonstrate, the link between sound quality and low distortion figures measured in the lab with continuous tones is a tenuous one. A low-feedback design will generally produce higher distortion; Krell has no qualms in revealing figures for full-power total…
In theory, an amplifier doesn't need to have a high power reserve, since most loudspeakers are specified as having a 4–8 ohm impedance, typically averaging 6 ohms. In practice, however, loudspeaker impedances can frequently be unexpectedly severe. A nominally 8 ohm loudspeaker…
Description: solid-state stereo power amplifier with "Sustained Plateau" output-stage biasing. Power output: 200Wpc into 8 ohms, 400Wpc into 4 ohms, 800Wpc into 2 ohms, 1600Wpc into 1 ohm, one channel driven (all power outputs equivalent to 23dBW). Damping factor: 80. THD: 0.1% at 1kHz, 0.2–0.5% at 20kHz, at full power.
Dimensions: 19" W by 8.5" H by 21" D.
Price: $7500 (1994); no longer available (2007). Approximate number of dealers: 55. Warranty: 5 years parts and labor, limited transferable.
Manufacturer: Krell Industries, 45 Connair Drive, Orange,…
A wide selection of ancillary components was available for this review. Comparison preamplifiers ranged from the Audio Research LS-5 to Krell's own KRC-2, by way of a Conrad-Johnson PF1. Power amplifiers included the Audio Research VT150, the Krell KSA-100S, Meridian 605, Naim NAP250, and Conrad-Johnson Premier Eleven. Loudspeakers used were the Apogee Mini Grand system, Wilson WATT 3s/Puppy 2s, Quad ESL-63s, and Epos ES-11s.
Digital sources included the PS Lambda and Reference Link combination, the Krell MD10 and Reference 64 combination, an Accuphase DP70V,…
An idling power consumption of 125W was noted, close to spec and confirming this amplifier's moderate standby consumption, especially in view of the high power and current capabilities. That massive transformer was mechanically silent even on the UK's 50Hz AC supply.
There was no denying this amplifier's big heart. The KSA-200S is rated as a 23dBW design, which is equivalent to an output power of 200Wpc, with one channel driven. The output is claimed to double with each successive halving of load impedance, right down to 1 ohm. Such was the reserve present…