Dreamer's New Preamp...

[Dreamer]

OK, I'll admit, it's actually an integrated amp that I bought to ultimately do service in a secondary system in our new house. But I just couldn't wait for two weeks to listen to it, and, heck, it DOES have preamp outputs and a remote control, so the Carver C-4000t got pulled from main preamp duty (and relegated to just being a phono preamp for now...)...

And the new member of the Dreamer System is.....


The Krell KAV-300i...

Man, does this sound better than the old Carver. As much as I hate to say it, it's like night and day. A whole level of clarity is being exposed with this Krell serving as the pre. Detail out the wazoo, to be exact, and it's just CLEAN sounding. Gone is that slightly veiled midrange form the Carver. The soundstage is sharper, tighter, and oh, did I mention the BASS response of this thing? Man, I didn't realise the Sequels had it in them...

Got a VERY good deal on the 'Gon, and it was local, so I caled the guy yesterday, and went over today to look and listen. Walked out of his townhouse with it under my arm...

Now, if the Benchmark woul djust get here, I'll be doing the "happy dance" all weekend while I pack boxes with books and stuff.

--Richard

 

[Cherian]

Looks Great. I have always wanted Krell gear. Some day :bowdown:

 

[Tj Bassi]

Nice piece of equipment, and even better if you struck a deal on the used market. Sure is built solidly, isnt it?

Tj

 

[Craig]

That's the Krell sound. My first real amp was a Krell 300iL that I used to power a pair of Ascents and then Odysseys. It did a great job with those but it sure got hot after awhile. Must be all that class A SS power. Speaking of heat, what is the green thing you have sitting on top of the amp?

 

[slowGEEZR]

Congrats Richard. I've got the 400xi and it is a wonderful integrated amp. I hope you enjoy the 300. - Steve

 

[MotorToad]

Wanna sell that Carver now that you don't like it?

I'll even see to it that it has some Sequels to keep it happy.

 

[Dreamer]

Wanna sell that Carver now that you don't like it?

I'll even see to it that it has some Sequels to keep it happy.

In a word, no... I didnt' mean to imply that I don't like it for some purposes. Actually it makes a GREAT phono pre, and that's what it's doing now.

If I ever decide to sell it, rest assured that I'll post it here first (well, cross-post it with the Carver forum!) But that's probably not going to happen for a while. I'm pretty attached to the old C-4000t. It's one of the few pieces of gear I've lusted over since I first got into high-end stuff, and it's in great condition, including the original box and manual...

No, I'm definitely holding on to it for a while, even if it's eventually just a really wild0looking bookend...

--Richard

 

[Beat_Dominator]

Awesome upgrade! Keep us posted on how it sounds as you get used to it's "character:

 

[C.A.P]

If you think the pre amp is better wait till you get a Krell amp
I ran 4 M-500T and had the Sunfire amp all good but could not hold a candle to my Krell FPB 300 . The Sunfire was way better than the 500 but it lacked a tad behind the Krell

 

[Dreamer]

I've no plans to own Krell amps. What I really want is another pair of Carver Silver 7t's or 9t's. Cool-running, weird-looking, and reliable for decades...

Krell makes a great amp--no way around that. But I've never cared for all-Krell systems. I'm an analogue geek at heard, and to me all-Krell systems always sound too "analytical"... But I'd love to hear your setup if I ever get the chance. I imagine it sounds WAY better than any Krell/ML setup I've ever heard in a retailer...

--Richard