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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…

All of us are inexorably shaped by our personal histories. Baby-boomers like me…

Description: Solid-state, class-D, remote-controlled integrated amplifier. Power output at 1kHz: 85Wpc into 8 ohms (19.3dBW), 0.5% THD. Frequency response: 10Hz–60kHz, +1dB/–3dB (CD). THD: 0.08% (1kHz, 1W). Damping factor: 25 (1kHz, 8 ohms). Signal/noise ratio: 100dB (CD, IHF-A), 70dB (phono, IHF-A). Input sensitivity and impedance: 200mV, 50k ohms (CD); 2.5mV, 50k ohms (phono). Recommended speaker impedance: 4–16 ohms. Power consumption: 110W (0.3W in standby).
Dimensions: 17 1/8" (435mm) W by 5 13/16" (148mm) H by 16 15/16" (431mm) D. Weight: 28.7 lbs (13kg…

Analog Source: Linn LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ittok tonearm, AudioQuest AQ7000 nsx cartridge.
Digital Sources: PS Audio Lambda II CD transport; Perpetual Technologies-ModWright P-1A/P-3A digital processors with Monolithic Sound P3 power supply.
Preamplification: Bryston TF-1 step-up transformer.
Integrated Amplifiers: PS Audio GCC-100, Flying Mole CA-S10.
Loudspeakers: Avantgarde Acoustic Uno 3.0.
Cables: Digital: Mystic Reference I2S, Illuminati Orchid AES/EBU. Interconnect: PS Audio xStream Statement. Speaker: Nordost…

Looking first at the Onkyo A-9555's phono stage, this was suitable for moving-magnet cartridges, with a voltage gain a little lower than normal of 35.6dB (measured at the amplifier's Tape Out jacks) and an input impedance of 45k ohms. The RIAA equalization featured a treble region that was shelved down by 0.75dB (fig.1), which will be audible as a slight dulling of the balance. The two channels matched very well, however.

Fig.1 Onkyo A-9555, phono-stage RIAA error at 5mV input at 1kHz (0.5dB/vertical div., right channel dashed).

The phono…

Of course, how much power you need depends on how much realism you seek. If you want only background music, or a pleasant but subdued version of the real thing, perhaps you don't need that much power. However,…