Krell XD gear in the House Initial Impressions

Fortunately, Schofield made my job easy. He sent me an old version along with the new amp. While it’s great to rely on “sonic memory,” nothing gets the job done like having them both side by side to compare. So using the new D-01 DAC/streamer from Esoteric ($20,000) in for review that I’ve become very familiar with, Nagra’ s Classic preamplifier ($17,000) and a pair of GamuT Zodiac speakers ($149,000/pair), all cabled up with Cardas Clear cable, the comparison was a relatively easy task.

Initially, there’s no comparison between the two current models – the jump in resolution and musicality is massive. It’s like they are channeling the sound that made Krell famous, while incorporating the changes in technology that have come to be over the last 35 years.

The raw emotion that generated so much excitement over this brand in the 80s is back in spades, yet without losing that magic, there is more low level detail, and more refinement. This is a tough combination to master, yet Krell has. It’s like taking a car with a great paint job, wet sanding it with 2500 grit sandpaper and then buffing to a higher luster than you thought possible – yet there you are.

We’ll have a full review of the Duo 175XD before the end of this year, but for now, consider this more of a comparison between new and old versions to let you know what’s new. 

The folks at Krell are calling this “The New Sound of Krell,” but I submit that they’ve just returned to what made them great in the first place, bringing it up to date with the best advances in audio technology that have come our way in the last few decades. I’d say they’ve found their way back

Mental without knowing your current system there is no way of us knowing if the new Krell gear would work for you but after owning Krell 450 MCX, a Krell KRC HR, and a KSA 250 we know what classic Krell gear sounds like the new stuff is way better.

Dave and Troy

Audio Doctor NJ Krell dealers

Yep, I thought the readership numbers would be off the charts, so was surprised.

Just a couple of my personal thoughts. Keep in mind I see HEA as taking a major turn at the moment.

1. People have mentioned the newer Krell look. I think Krell a couple of times got lost in the looks department and to me at times looked like products that did not spell sound performance but more a designer looking for a newer look not finding it. This latest style says "Krell" much like the very early units that Dan became so famous for promoting. Dan’s Krell had that eras look to it, as well I see todays Krell as looking like it should for todays world.

2. (kind of still in the looks department) Today’s Krell look I believe allows for the brand to go further down the money scale as the market turns to less expensive products, still keeping a sense of class. The days of expensive HEA components are declining rapidly. People will debate this till the market dries up completely, but I don’t think Krell needs to get booted to the door as many others are and will. I believe when the time comes for Krell to be in on the Class D amp movement (for example) we could easily see them coming out with a reasonably price classy product in the $2500.00-$4500.00 range and be taken seriously.

The big question right now being asked is where is HEA going to be after this generation of big spenders is gone. There are a few brands that are going to make it into the next era of exotic lifestyle audio gear, but I seriously doubt the big over built products stand a chance of survival, the way they are now at least. Will there be a HEA revival? Yes, I believe so, but it will almost go back to where we were before the price explosion and major size happened. Not sure the name HEA will be around but Exotic Audio Components will certainly be here. Adjustability will come back into the picture along with a more practical user application. I’m sure Krell is looking at this next step, as well all should.

So I for one am very interested in seeing how Krell re-enters the market not so much as a "needed to rebrand itself" or "restore their credibility", but more as one of the names that gave us modern High End Audio to begin with and using that recognition to help move us to the next logical steps in this hobby and lifestyle.

There will always be an Audiophile club. It will not look the same, and it will not demand the outrageous price tags, but it will be better now that we have all gone through our growing pains together. Innovation is now the name of the game and will soon replace "how much can you spend". I think it’s good having Dave & Troy here realizing that we are all taking a bite of this hobby. For one it shows us in real time where the HEA store is going and a part of how we together get there.

In closing, it is nice to see the name Krell back in the dating pool again. I would love to see Dan in an ad with the gang and who knows. Dan is family and so I understand the feelings being expressed. Maybe? you never know maybe?.....

Good Luck Dave & Troy and Good Luck to those who see things differently. Regardless, at the end of the day we all get to go into our own private concert halls to enjoy the greatest happening ever known to man (listener) kind.

mg