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Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250

139.55.249.154
Posted on January 13, 2015 at 09:00:30
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 I seek opinions on this power amp. The reviews and commentary in Stereophile seem very positive but they were begun in 1991, which means this amp is now ca. 24 years old.

I am running B&W Matrix 801 Series II with the B&W bass alignment filter.

I would especially like to hear from long term owners of this amp, or those with knowledge of it, regarding its long-term reliability, and whether Krell, as a company, would stand behind this product, service it and so on. (I am an Audio Research owner and am coming from the perspective of their excellent service even on quite old equipment.)

Thanks,

George

 

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RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 13, 2015 at 09:37:55
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 A 14 year old amp is going to have some wear issues. And the reviews will vary depending on usage and again, wear.

charles

 

Not 14 years. 24 years, posted on January 13, 2015 at 10:17:02
Jon L
Audiophile

Posts: 6064
Joined: April 6, 2000
 2015 minus 1991 is 24, not 14 :)

I wouldn't do it..

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 13, 2015 at 10:19:20
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 The KSA series of power amps were very powerful and had excellent build quality. An older amp will sound dated, keep this in mind if you plan to use it in a modern set-up.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 13, 2015 at 11:49:34
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 As a user of a Threshold CAS-1, the age of the amp wouldn't bother me, but you should check the ESR on the filter capacitors in the power supply, just to be safe (even though they probably are still good). You should check the ESR on all electrolytic capacitors, but I doubt there are any outside the power supply. I would expect everything else to be film, which don't go bad. IF it sounds good to you, it is good.

Dave

 

They're excellent sounding..., posted on January 13, 2015 at 12:14:16
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8446
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 and it will make your B&W speakers sing and then some. However, depending on how much you're paying for it and due to its age, it's best to send it to Krell for refurbishing.





 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 13, 2015 at 13:26:46
denden11
Audiophile

Posts: 360
Joined: March 4, 2001
Contributor
  Since: December 12, 2007
 In my opinion, one of the best sounding and reliable amps. that Krell ever made. It is rock solid into the most demanding loads. I bought mine 20 years ago and have powered Martin Logan Monoliths and currently Prodigys. I have never had a problem with it. About 6 years ago, I sent it back to Krell for recapping but that was only for preventive maintenance. There was no issue. I'm using a BAT VK-50SE preamp and it interfaces very well. You can see my system in the Gallery section.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 13, 2015 at 14:23:09
Mike B.
Audiophile

Posts: 26354
Location: OR
Joined: September 27, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 1, 1999
 I just read another KSA user's questions at another forum. His is a 100. He had Krell go through it and they even updated the output devices for a total of $500. It is good to know the current owners of Krell still offer service on the older amps.


 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 13, 2015 at 17:11:12
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 I wonder if you recall what Krell charged you for this work? Even a ballpark estimate would be worthwhile.

Thank you for your perspective.

George

 

RE: They're excellent sounding..., posted on January 13, 2015 at 17:12:18
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 Thank you for this reply.

I have written to Krell support with some additional questions, so we'll see what it their reply.

George

 

RE: Not 14 years. 24 years, posted on January 13, 2015 at 17:17:23
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 Mathematically challenged? I am guilty as charged.

Some old amps have excellent longevity. I have a 30+ year old Hafler DH-220 that still works perfectly and sounds great.

You said you "wouldn't do it", but didn't say why. Is it just because it is so old or are there other issues about its performance/longevity you have in mind that you are cautioning me against?

Thanks,

George

 

Their labor ..., posted on January 13, 2015 at 17:31:39
kootenay
Audiophile

Posts: 8446
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Joined: October 16, 2007
 rates usually are $125.00/Hr. plus parts.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 14, 2015 at 00:08:32
kev_rat
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Location: Tasmania
Joined: June 3, 2011
 I don't have a KSA-250 but do have a FBP-600c. I recently shipped it back to Krell for service (from Tasmania was more expensive than the service itself). Huge list of capacitors replaced, but the thing sounds absu=lutely fabulous and ready for many more years. The Krell factory route for service seems a very good deal for such machinery. I have the matching KCT preamp that goes next.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 14, 2015 at 05:12:10
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 Thank you for this information. Reports, in response to this inquiry, indicate that I should be confident in the availability and reliability of service for Krell products.
I appreciate your writing!

George

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 14, 2015 at 06:06:47
denden11
Audiophile

Posts: 360
Joined: March 4, 2001
Contributor
  Since: December 12, 2007
 I think that it was $300 to $400.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 14, 2015 at 07:04:23
A.Wayne
Audiophile

Posts: 2527
Location: Front row center
Joined: November 30, 2011
 When dealing with Krell factor in 300-400 for ins and freight on top of maintenance.



Regards..

 

24 years is not too old for an amp....., posted on January 14, 2015 at 11:53:57
Justlisten2
Audiophile

Posts: 1266
Location: SE PA
Joined: March 8, 2001
 ....but I would make sure the caps have been changed fairly recently, with documentation to proof it. If not, count on shipping it directly to Krell to have the caps replaced. The transformer, transistors and other parts age well, but the caps tend to need changed in about 15-20 years, especially with a hot running Class A amp such as this. It is a great sounding amp though, one of Krell's best efforts ever.

 

RE: Not 14 years. 24 years, posted on January 14, 2015 at 11:54:36
digepix
 This is like my post "when is it time to call it quits" that got mistakenly posted to the digital forum. It was regarding a smaller Krell amp the KST 100. It's not an assault on the very best of 2015 but it can sound good. If you can get it for the right price have Krell go through it and enjoy it. If you can spend the money look at a new amp. My amp is from the same time as a KSA 250, it's been very reliable. I changed the filter caps in the power supply, checked the values on the other caps and re-biased it, that's all in 25 years!! The filter caps seemed okay and the amp played fine but I thought it was time.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Krell KSA 250, posted on January 24, 2015 at 04:02:46
willcycle
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: East coast
Joined: March 18, 2004
 I own two of these amps in a biamp configuration and still think it is one of the finest amps available. I recapped both, including power supply (PS)capacitors, which is something Krell does not usually replace. The replacement PS caps I used are rated at 105 deg. as opposed to the stock 85. I supercharged one amp with a whopping 400,000uF of filter capacitance which is over double the stock value. Some extra mods were required to handle the greater inrush current at turn on but the sound was subtly improved.

 

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