Krell KAV-500i Integrated Amplifiers
Krell KAV-500i Integrated Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Dec 19, 2016]
sharky
AudioPhile
One of the best amp. i have ever tested. Great power is inside the body.
|
[Jan 29, 2009]
saymir
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Wide deep soundstage,tunefull transparent bass,oustanding clarity,sweet highs
Weakness:
Needs time to warm up-abaut 10min. What do i say abaut this amp? Excelent.Thanks for other reviewers.The first impression was excactly the same as described in Stereotimes-(that highs are a bit out,lack of body in sound) I tell you why.I used long speakers cable,cheap interconnects.Later on I bought new interconnets (Atlas equator mkII)and speaker cables(Atlas Hyper 2.0 3m long).Guess what happened?Wow!what a change in overall sound-I never heard such so impressive sound reproduction:wide deep 3 dimentional soundstage with very good stereo image,,the feeling that i was sitting before stage-well defined voice,instruments ,so clear,i can hear any nuance of vocal reproduction.From what i heard i could imagine how far or how near the singer standing by microphone,where are other musicians on the stage.The highs are sweet , transparent bass.Ideal amplifier for instumental,electronic,pop ,hip hop music.And for those who like detailed and acurate sound .What have i noticed during listnening?Amplifier needs warm up,abaut 10-15min,then he shines in every way.He doesnt like low volume level.But i newer went higher than 3 red diods on volume.I am using this Krell with Monitor audio rs6 speakers and Technics sl-ps670a cd player Customer Service Here you can obtain manual http://www.stereokorea.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=i_krell&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=12 Similar Products Used: Technics su-a700mk2,Cerwin vega ve12,Technics rs-az6,technics st-gt630,technics sh-ge70,technics sl-ps670a |
[May 25, 2008]
Lifeinsepia
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Linear. Endless power for a home unit. Solid. Dependable.
Weakness:
Headphone jack would be nice. I've had this amp for about 6-7 years. I had the Kav300i before this. My complaints about the 300i were (a) the volume control buttons didn't allow enough degrees of movement, i.e., one push meant too much change, and (b) it didn't sound good enough at high volume. The 500i has alleviated both of those issues and continues to give me great satisfaction year over year. I have commensurate input and speakers. I also have a DarkVoice 332 headphone amp and Senn HD650s. I'm not an "audiophile" in the sense of purchasing often and trying to modify to the Nth degree. I want a system that I can listen to until I'm 6-feet under. This amp is it. I use it every day. Pry it from my cold dead hands. Customer Service n/a Similar Products Used: KAV300i |
[Feb 08, 2002]
LTTONY
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
WIDE SOUND STAGE WITH DEPTH, CLARITY, AND OUTSTANDING BASS RESPONSE. TONAL BALANCE IS WONDERFUL.
Weakness:
WEIGHS A TON! I HAVE TO THANK THE PREVIOUS REVIEWERS. THERE ASSESSMENT OF THIS AMP IS RIGHT ON. I HAVE OWNED A KRELL KAV 300R FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD BEEN CONTEMPLATING AN UPGRADE. I HAVE AUDITIONED SEVERAL AMPS IN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, ARCAM, NAIM, CLASSE TO NAME A FEW. NONE OF THOSE BRANDS HAD THE SOUND THAT I COULD APPRECIATE. I HAVE SEEN A FEW 500I''S COME AND GO ON EBAY AND DECIDED THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH ANYTHING BUT ANOTHER KRELL. THE UNIT I RECENTLY PURCHASED WAS IN AS NEW CONDITION WITH BOX, MANUAL, AND REMOTE. THE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND IS SIMPLY BREATHTAKING. THE 500I TAKES A GIANT LEEP FORWARD FROM THE 300R. ALL ASPECTS OF THE TONAL RANGE HAVE BEEN REFINED. MORE CLARITY, DEPTH, SOUND STAGE, AND A TIGHTNESS IN THE BOTTOM END THAT I DID NOT THINK WAS POSSIBLE. THE 500I IS POWERING A PAIR OF EPOS ES22 AND THE SOURCE UNIT IS A SONY SACD 333 ES. I AM SHOPPING FOR A HIGH QUALITY SINGLE DISK PLAYER. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL INTIGRATED AMP AVAILABLE. I AM NOT ONE TO UPGRADE WITH FREQUENCY. BEFORE THE 300 R I OWNED AN ADCOM STACK(565 MONOS/PREAMP) FOR TEN YEARS. THIS 500I WILL LAST AT LEAST TEN YEARS. BY THAT TIME IT WILL BE A TRUE CLASSIC. Similar Products Used: KRELL KAV 300R, ADCOM 565 MONS/PREAMP. |
[Mar 22, 2001]
B W
Audiophile
After spending years with a Krell 300i I decided to upgrade to a 500i. It's been here for 20 minutes and already I tell you this amp smokes the 300i in every way. Sonically, both the 300i and 500i sound great if you like the Krell sound which is super detailed and accurate... but.. The 500i is CLEARLY better. It's not just more powerful, It has better overall tonal balance and tighter bass. The 300i seems to suffer at times with certain music at higher volumes and tends to sound a bit wiry in the high end. The 500i has no problems what so ever. Similar Products Used: Krell 300i |
[Aug 04, 1998]
Michael
an Audiophile
Just upgraded from the 300i to the 500i. Along with more power than the 300i, the preamp section in the 500i is fully balanced, unlike the 300i. I was totally unprepared for the AMAZING sound difference between the two. Irrespective of the power difference, the 500i is smoother up top, more refined. Subtle musical details are now very clear. There is much more space, depth, and "air" to my music. Definately a huge step up from the 300i. If you think the 300i is good, wait till you hear the 500i! |
[Mar 07, 1999]
Dean
an Audio Enthusiast
This is one top notch integrated. The 300i is superb, this one is even better. |
[Mar 08, 1999]
Tom
an Audio Enthusiast
I've owned the KAV 500i for about 6 months, and I've never been less than fully satisfied with my purchase. This amp is very detailed and punchy, but to my taste it is never overly analytical or harsh. I've been surprised that it runs a little hotter than I thought it might, but that's probably due to my relatively low impedance speakers. |