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Help with Krell KSA 50-S versus Krell KSA 200-S


KSA 50-S versus Krell KSA 200-S likes and differences??

Hi
I ownd a little Krell KSA 50-S years ago back in the nineties
I ran it with a Krell KRC-3 preamps into Totem model 1 speakers
the sound was really very good, sounded like a tube amp
and even though the amp was touted as no bass, there still
seemd to be quite a bit, at least with those speakers anyway
My reason for writing is:
I have no system currently but want to purcahse a system again and was very happy with this sound , was thinking of searching for a used Krell KSA 50-S, I have already forund a mint KRC-3 preamp. I had heard that the KSA 100-S was un kind of unremarkable, but wanted to ask any Krell guys (or gals) with experience if the larger Krell 200-S at all mimicked the sound of the Krell KSA 50-S, with the sweetness of tubes in the midrange and large dynamic floor and depth, or is the Krell KSA 200-S like a completely different animal, i.e., more solid state sounding, with virtues of its own.
dustbowl
dustbowl OP
8 posts
 
thank you for taking the time to respond and advice appreciate this
steveaudio
328 posts
 
I'm not a Krell expert, & not sure what the "S" version was? But there was a review in the Absolute Sound when the amp came out on the KSA 200--the reviewer loved it, mainly, but went on about the heat--even in Oct., it heated up his room so much it was a big issue.

Not that I'd let that stop me if I came across one at a good price. And Totem 1's & Mani 2's like lots of power......

rcprince
2,830 posts
 
The "S" cersions were Krell's models after the KSA 150 and 250, which were heavily (but not fully, as I recall) Class A biased amps. I think they were the first Krell amps using their sustained plateau biasing feature, where the amp switched from AB to A depending on the signal strength being fed it. The KSA 200 was the mono version of the KSA 80, which was a full Class A design (the predecessor to the KSA 150 and 250) that ran really hot (as did my KSA 80).
rwwear
2,692 posts
 
The mono version of the KSA 80 was the KMA 160. KSA stands for Krell Stereo Amp. KMA stands for Krell Mono Amp.
rcprince
2,830 posts
 
Oops, sorry, you're right, I meant the "big brother" of the KSA 80. Same generation Krell. And FWIW, I thought the 80 sounded just a little better than the 200.
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