The sound through the balanced input has better extension, but the RCA inputs give a more coherent focus and a more proportional picture. In general vocal music sounds more accurate through the RCA, while orchestral music has better dynamics and more authority through the XLR.

The KRC-3 demonstrates that a pre-amp is a necessary rather than an optional piece of equipment. I have tried connecting the CD player (with a healthy output voltage) directly to the power amp -- the sound lacks energy. Putting the KRC-3 back in the chain gives a more lively sound, even though the low volume I choose seldom calls for more than unity gain.

I have no complaint in terms of sound quality, but I do have some comments on the feature set.

It's got only one XLR input, which may prove insufficient if you have more than one source component with XLR output.

Sometimes I wish it had a headphone out.

I bought it full aware than it's a line-preamp. The lack of a phono stage is of course a purchase decision rather than a weakness per se, but with the revival of vinyl I wish it had a phono.

The sound is full, warm and clear, without edgy transients. It tends to be strong and beefy rather than mellow.
I
The KRC-3 has very low noise.

Customer Service

Don't know about customer service -- which speaks volumes for the product. The reliability of the product obviates the need for service. Not once has the KRC-3 fail during the past 12 - 13 years.

As It does not have a power switch, the key to prolonging its life is to leave it on permanently. Don't plug/unplug it to/from the mains (or switch on/off the mains) every day.

Similar Products Used:

I tried a lower model of Krell (KAV series). The KRC-3 is far superior.

Resolution, detail, harmonic structure, musicality.

The KRC-3 replaced an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A in my system which consists of: Arcam CD23T CD player Mark Levinson 331 power amp Wilson Audio Watt 3 Puppy 2 loudspeakers Transparent MusicLink Super XL interconnect from CD to preamp, MusicLink Super XLR from preamp to amp. Transparent MusicWave Super XL speaker cables Virtual Dynamics, Transparent & Cardas powercables I mostly listen to classical music and orchestra and chamber form, plus some light jazz with female vocals. My reference is live classical music as heard in a concert hall from 11th roll center, no more no less. The Krell presented much more detail than the M3A together with much better resolution especially when using the balanced XLR connection to the power amp. The tube coloration and midrange range "over warmth" was gone, leaving a presentation that is more dynamic, airy, lively, and more real. Tonal balance was more correct. Extension at both frequency extremes far exceeded that of the M3A while delivering smooth highs and taut bottom. Harmonic integrity and timbre also bettered the M3A. It is just so musical. The accurate volume control with remote and a balance function enhanced the functionality.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GFP-750, BAT VK-20, Rowland Coherence 1, Audible Illusions Modulus 3A.

Transparency

Transparency again because it passes through any fault on the digital front end.

The review is for KRC2, not KRC3. When I bought the KRC2, I've thought it's on the bright side. Somewhat edgy and harsh. I have used it with Spectral DNA180 (which compounded the harshness) and also ML #331. In both cases, the sound tended on the bright side... The speakers are Thile 2.3. The cables are AQ Sterling and Diamnond. So you can imagine the sound of my system... But! I have been mistaken. The DAC that I used was PS Audio Ultralinear 2 with HDCD, but when I replaced it with a recent purchase, the Sony SCD-1, the sound balance changed dramatically! It is no longer bright and edgy. The sound is now well-balanced. Comparatively softened up and extended is the high frequency. The vocal also stands out and has vibrancy. The bass is also tremendously extended and blooms well. The sound is pleasing and life-like. I have always assume that the brightness comes from my speaker, wires, and most of all my preamp. A lot of people said KRC2 sounded bright, but I now think it is the transparent nature of the preamp that allows all the harshness of its upper stream to show through fully. I don't know how else to explain the difference. There's only one gear in my audio chain that is replaced which is the CD portion. So I now think that you must feed KRC2 with equally high-end stuff or else any harshness in the mid-fi digital front-end will simply show through!

Solid build quality--balanced in and out--solid remote control

runs a tad hot--make sure that it is not placed in an enclosed audio case

I have used this preamp now for many years and it has not once come to mind for me to replace it. Unlike previous Krell preamps--the KRC 3 has a full bodied balanced sound.

Similar Products Used:

Maranta p85; Carver c2; Carver 400; MCINTOSH C39

Strong tight base, tubey midrange and very smooth highs. Build quality pure Krell.

None

The initial review of this Krell KRC-3 is basically positive, however; with some tweaking this pre-amp can run with the big dogs. Pure Krell, excellent build quality, easy to use remote, even in the dark. The tweaks I would surely recommend to raise this pre-amp to reference status are as follows: Bright Star air mass base with Harmonix isolation pucks between the preamp and base, and last but not least a Cobra Powersnake power cord into a PS Audio ultimate high current outlet. The tweaks transforms this preamp from good to world class. Associated equipment, Krell KSA-150, Levinson #35 dac, CEC 1X transport, Sony SACD player, digital lens and Taddeo Antidote ll for the Sacd. Cardas Golden Ref and Hovland G3 interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Simaudio P-5, Levinson 38S Audio Eclusiv P-2

I would recommend the KRC-3 preamp to anyone seriously considering upgrading preamps. The price is very reasonable for a preamp of this caliber. Extremely transparent with an excellent soundstage and totally neutral. A big step up from a Stereophile class A rated Threshold FET 10 H/L I had been using. The KRC-3 is being used with Krell FPB300, Krell 30i and Transparent XLR Reference cables throughout. Remote and ease of use is excellent.

detailed, extremely detailed. bass is solid and controlled.

price

I love this preamp. This preamp will bring out the very best of a solid recording and the worst of a bad recording. i have already alienated half of my collection so watch out.
i shopped around for almost four months and did multiple auditions, and everytime i came back to this piece. The build quality is second to none. I love the bass control of this piece. you can hear every note, tight, soild, and without strain. The mids and highs are transparent, and 3 deminsional. This preamp is a no brainier.

I used this preamp with my N802s when I was demo-ing a pair of FPB-250Mcs and felt the preamp was average at best. Nothing stood out . . . and I can tell you it certainly wasn't the amp or speakers. Most of the reviews of this product were favorable so I felt compelled to throw a bad one into the mix.

I can't speak for the KRC-HR, however that may be the way to go instead of the -3.

Similar Products Used:

KAV-250p, Levinson 380s

I have listen to both the KRC and the KRC3 And what I heard was the krc3 was more transparent. If you read my review on the sim audio intergrade amp i5080 I wrote about the krell krc3 but by mistake I forgot to add the 3 next to the letter c,krc3, I could have bought the old krc for 2500. bucks but the krc3 was so much better and the krc hr use to be over seven grand. So I know whats a better preamp. I matched this preamp the krc3 with many other preamps out there and passive ones also and I read Stefa Krawczyk review so that should tell some people out there that its a great preamp, But theres a saying out there, that Krells preamps aren't better than there amps, well Its the other way around this preamp is different a creature compared to there other products, I know cause I owned a few of there components like the Krell fpb 300 amp not worth the money at all what a ripp off, Thanks to sim audio my system is playing real music. But this review is about the KRC3. This is the only product that I kepted from krell because it had to be that good to stay. What makes me wonder is, this preamp should have gottin an A rating in stereophile,BOy pollotics or what, what a game.

No weaknesses, But I hope I have a chance to try sim audios p5 preamp.

Its a great preamp, But thats the onlything I would reccomend from Krell,

other wise everything else is a rip off.And there amps are not and no way going to out perform sim audio amps, Stefa you said you wanted to buy a new amp well email me I ll tell you more about how great it is.

Similar Products Used:

Audioresearch sL3 preamp.McCormack tlc- 1 passive preamp,virtual mode passive preamp,Wadia 830 cd player with built in pre. Wadia 850 cdplayer with built in pre. california audiolabscL15 cd player with built in pre. and these cd players all sounded better with the krc3 involved. I also had more equipment than this matched up but I ll be here all day lol.

The KRC-3 is superb. It has unsurpassed build quality. The bass is deep and strong, but not boomy. There may be better preamps out there, but in my opinion nothing comes close at the KRC-3s price.