An excellent product for the price, probably the cheapest Krell that's worth buying. I found the midrange to be too boomy at times but the overall sound is pleasantly warm and dynamic. I don't think there is a better integrated amp for rock/rap fans. Those looking for transparency may want to look elsewhere.

bass

too bright, not musical and cheezy binding post

My system : Audio Physics Virgo and Sony SCD777ES.
For my system, MF A300 is way more musical. I am not a KRELL basher, but it sounds not much better than the Yamaha HT reciever($900 list) I replaced.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity A300, Yamaha HT reciever

Is a crystal and powerfull. Excellent soundstage.

The price

I bougth this integrated amplifier 4 years ago.
I had the option to buy a Meridian 501 that costed U$s 1300 less than the Krell but when I compared one with the other I finally decided by the Krell.
I'm very happy with this product after 4 years using it. I had only a problem with a strange noise that appeared in the left speaker while this amplifier was turned off !!! I send it to the local represative and they repaired it without charge.
I'm using a the Marantz CD-63SE cd player, Audioquest turquoise interconnect cables, speakers build in Argentina with import components (Willy Pastrana).
I highly recommend this amplifier to anyone that likes the high-end and cannot afford a separate power and pre amplifier.

Similar Products Used:

Piooneer amplifier

slim,build quality,looks/power with clarity,detailed,bass deph & slam,output power.

remote complicated,the amp will not fit on any shelf or rack.

I am really glad to report that I finally decided to buy this amp.After reading so many reviews I was, to say the least, confused.
So yesterday, after signing the cheque, I brought this unit home without auditioning it(it's nearly impossible to audition equipement here in Beirut).
Straight out of the box I was impressed by the build quality and weight of this baby Krell.I was wondering wether the sound of the 300I will suit my preferences and also wether it will integrate with the rest of my system without any fuss.
Well first of all,the unusual physical dimensions of this amp will make difficult to place it on any audio rack or shelf.I certainly had problems placing it on my Atacama audio 5 shelf rack.
So after taking the time to install it properly,I wired it with Van Den Hul D102III single ended interconnects and Kimber Kable 4tc speaker cables.
My current CD player is a Arcam alpha 9 with B&W P5 floorstanding speakers.Finally,I pluged in my special AC cords and power strip.
Please note that I will compare the 300I to my Arcam combo because it's my only reference point and because I have used the alphas for 3 or 4 years with extreme satisfaction.
Over the years I noticed that my B&W P5 speakers are not as easy to drive as they seemed to be.When I used to listen for prolonged periods at mid levels,the 9p which is driving only the bass units of the P5's,used to heat up seriously,so much so,it got too hot to touch.And with it's generous current delivery,you could tell that the B&W's were not an easy load for this amp or any other price comparable unit for that matter.
So with this in mind,I was sure that the Krell will grab them by the throat and impose it's will on them,after all,it was designed to be partnerned with much more expensive speakers.
When you switch the 300I on for the first time,it becomes immediately obvious that this is a very special product indeed.You are truly using a high end product and the first thing that grabs your attention is the volume control,precise down to the lowest levels!A big improovement on my Arcam volume control which used to irratate me when wanting to listen at low levels.
I was struck by the sheer power and slam of the bass,I also noticed superb low level resolution.Vocals are so vibrant and the presence of instruments is awsome!I had concerns and doubts about the mid and high frequencies of the 300I after reading so many controversial reviews from owners posted on this site.Well,not so.How can anyone describe this amp as being bright and edgy?I can comfortably say and without any hesitation that the sound is extremely nice,the mid range and treble are very informative while being sweet and easy on the ear at the same time.Soundstaging and imaging are good if not outstanding,but depth is quiet simply unbelievable!And let's not forget that it's been on for only a couple of hours!I can only imagine the imroovement after it's been properely run in.
This amp can play loud and louder while retainig poise,impact,clarity and defenition.The added option of balanced connection is also a bonus plus Krell's name and reputation.What can I say?Well don't read too many reviews!
Highly recomended!

Similar Products Used:

arcam alpha 9/9p bi-amp combo.

slim,build quality,looks/power with clarity,detailed,bass deph & slam,output power.

remote complicated,the amp will not fit on any shelf or rack.

I am really glad to report that I finally decided to buy this amp.After reading so many reviews I was, to say the least, confused.
So yesterday, after signing the cheque, I brought this unit home without auditioning it(it's nearly impossible to audition equipement here in Beirut).
Straight out of the box I was impressed by the build quality and weight of this baby Krell.I was wondering wether the sound of the 300I will suit my preferences and also wether it will integrate with the rest of my system without any fuss.
Well first of all,the unusual physical dimensions of this amp will make difficult to place it on any audio rack or shelf.I certainly had problems placing it on my Atacama audio 5 shelf rack.
So after taking the time to install it properly,I wired it with Van Den Hul D102III single ended interconnects and Kimber Kable 4tc speaker cables.
My current CD player is a Arcam alpha 9 with B&W P5 floorstanding speakers.Finally,I pluged in my special AC cords and power strip.
Please note that I will compare the 300I to my Arcam combo because it's my only reference point and because I have used the alphas for 3 or 4 years with extreme satisfaction.
Over the years I noticed that my B&W P5 speakers are not as easy to drive as they seemed to be.When I used to listen for prolonged periods at mid levels,the 9p which is driving only the bass units of the P5's,used to heat up seriously,so much so,it got too hot to touch.And with it's generous current delivery,you could tell that the B&W's were not an easy load for this amp or any other price comparable unit for that matter.
So with this in mind,I was sure that the Krell will grab them by the throat and impose it's will on them,after all,it was designed to be partnerned with much more expensive speakers.
When you switch the 300I on for the first time,it becomes immediately obvious that this is a very special product indeed.You are truly using a high end product and the first thing that grabs your attention is the volume control,precise down to the lowest levels!A big improovement on my Arcam volume control which used to irratate me when wanting to listen at low levels.
I was struck by the sheer power and slam of the bass,I also noticed superb low level resolution.Vocals are so vibrant and the presence of instruments is awsome!I had concerns and doubts about the mid and high frequencies of the 300I after reading so many controversial reviews from owners posted on this site.Well,not so.How can anyone describe this amp as being bright and edgy?I can comfortably say and without any hesitation that the sound is extremely nice,the mid range and treble are very informative while being sweet and easy on the ear at the same time.Soundstaging and imaging are good if not outstanding,but depth is quiet simply unbelievable!And let's not forget that it's been on for only a couple of hours!I can only imagine the imroovement after it's been properely run in.
This amp can play loud and louder while retainig poise,impact,clarity and defenition.The added option of balanced connection is also a bonus plus Krell's name and reputation.What can I say?Well don't read too many reviews!
Highly recomended!

Similar Products Used:

arcam alpha 9/9p bi-amp combo.

Sound Quality, Dynamics

I auditioned this integrated with Totem Mani-2s, B&W DM-604s, Joseph Audio RM22sis, Hales Revelation 3s, and Aerial 7s. I used CAL audio and Wadia as sources, cables were transparent and Straightwire. I found this amp virtually perfect in every way. I was blown away. Nothing began to compare for less than bout $4000, and I can not begin to justify the difference. For my tastes, the Revelation 3's were the best match.

Hi,
It is cheapest Krell amp in the world. I own this until 9 months ago. I use it to push my B&W 802S3. This KAV 300i won't let me down for matching this monster! The low frequency is under full control and provide excellent dynamic and speed too. It sound a bit rough but after I feel it with XLO Reference power cord, it becomes smooth a lot. It also require careful matching of digital front end, otherwise it will be a bit bright and lean.

I am using Audio Reserach CD-2 with MAS Enosis XLR interconnect and speaker cable. For my system, it able to deliver very good extension of treble and bass like some German made amp.

Good Listening.
Ivan Choi.

Simply, an amazing musical, detailed amplifier

many serious audio heads will say the baby of the bunch is the best deal and value for your money. After that point you fall into the audio law of diminishing returns for money spent on the gear. Nothing could be more true than with the krell, not to say the the bigger krells aren't amazing, but face it, this is a darn good amplifier. I will not add anything else to what has been said, it would only be repititious, but I do fully agree with sheldon below

Similar Products Used:

rotel, conrad johnson, bryston, arcam

Great sound in the right system

Dreadful sound in the wrong system

When I first trialled the 300i in my system it sounded shocking. Worse than a cheap brand name albeit with lots of bass. Trying many different front end CD-players, interconnects and speaker cables, showed that the Krell seems highly reactive with other components. Make sure you try it in your own system for a while and be prepared to change interconnects, and speaker cables, and whatever... to get it right.
Also the balanced input seems much more neutral than the unbalanced, so if your front end has balanced outputs then this amp may be for you. Otherwise it can sound like junk. If you are willing to change your other components to be compatible, then it really can be sonic nirvana, otherwise have a listen to more 'compatible' amps. That said, in my current configuration I love the 300i.

Krell, popular for making good power/pre amplifiers, did not fail to keep up its reputation with this new integrated amplifierKAV-300i. When Krell had released its first integrated amplifier under $2,500 (or 2,500 pounds in UK), audiophiles seemed
to react in two ways. One side of audiophiles thought that their dream came true, while the other wondered whether it could
really keep up with its expectation; "Is that amplifier good?" Now that I auditioned the KAV-300i, the aforementioned
amplifier (and bought one for myself), I would want to assure the audiophile in doubt that this amplifier was a great performer
which deserve to have its family name on its face plate : Krell AV.

First Impression

KAV-300i has a Hey-I-Am-A-Hi-End-Gear look. It has a nice face plate that is similar to those of the Krell amplifiers. It is
slim, but it does not look anywhere close to "cheap." It is a little heavy considering its size. It does not have too many buttons
or knobs. In fact, it does not have any knob - everything is digital control, in a word, buttons. (This may appeal to some
people, while some other people may not like this idea too much.) Yet, this integrated amplifier does not go crazy with buttons
and controls. A button for switching the amplifier on and off, four selector buttons for selecting sources, one for tape
monitoring, and two buttons for volume control. It does not have controls for treble or tone, which I liked being a purist. There
is a Krell Audio Video emblem placed on the face plate nicely finishing the whole appearance of the amplifier.

Sound Quality

Briefly speaking, I was impressed.

First of all, the imaging and timing - KAV-300i had definitely nice imaging and timing ability that helps speakers reproduce a
more realistic sounds very much. I tried KAV-300i with those speakers that reproduces great imaging, and the result was
more than what I have expected. Very nice imaging, timing, and even 3-D reproducing.

Secondly, it reproduces a nicely organised sound. The midrange was very nice and realistic while it had some bass. The bass
was not too punchy or rocking as someone was expecting from a typical Krell power amplifiers. While KAV-300i was nothing
like Krell FPB 600, the Full Power Balanced Power Amplifier that supplies 600W per channel, you would not be able to buy
those FPB 600 with a matching preamplifier for $2,500 (or 2,500 pounds in UK). For an integrated amplifier for such a price
(not that I am saying that an integrated amplifier costs $2,500 or 2,500 pounds is cheap - most integrated amplifiers cost less
than the KAV-300i. Yet, I am thinking of an integrated amplifier as a matching combination of power/pre amplifier.). The bass
was realistic, however, as the midrange. Someone suggested that the speakers I have tried were not the best speakers to test
lower frequencies and bass. I agree to that argument to some degree. Maybe I would try KAV-300i with those speakers that
reproduces the lower frequencies better to get much better result. Yet, I hope there is no miscommunication or
misrepresentation - KAV-300i reproduced a NICE, TIGHT BASS. It's just that some people may have expected more from
the name "Krell."

Thirdly, it reproduced a quite uncoloured, natural sound. Though I could hear a little style in the midrange, the overall
impression I have gained was very neutral.

The Final Verdict

Based on the sound quality I have heard, and based on its price, I give a rare grade A+. This amplifier, in my opinion, was not
only worth every penny it cost: it was worth more than how much it actually cost.. One last word: I bought one for myself.

Grade: A+

Auditioned System Set 1:
Amplifier: Krell KAV-300i (test subject)
Speakers: B&W CDM1
CD Player: Pioneer Elite PD-65
Speaker Cable: MITerminator 2
Interconnect: MITerminator 2
Speaker Stands: Sanus Systems Reference Foundations

Auditioned System Set 2:
Amplifier: Krell KAV-300i (test subject)
Speakers: Martin Logan SL3
CD Player: Audiolab 8000CD
Speaker Cable: MITerminator 2
Interconnect: MITerminator 2
Speaker Stands: Sanus Systems Reference Foundations

Comparison System Set 1:
Amplifier: Audiolab 8000S (compared unit)
Speakers: B&W CDM1
CD Player: Pioneer Elite PD-65
Speaker Cable: MITerminator 2
Interconnect: MITerminator 2
Speaker Stands: Sanus Systems Reference Foundations

Comparison System Set 2:
Amplifier: Audiolab 8000s (compared unit)
Speakers: Martin Logan SL3
CD Player: Audiolab 8000CD
Speaker Cable: MITerminator 2
Interconnect: MITerminator 2
Speaker Stands: Sanus Systems Reference Foundations