soundstage, musicality, deep bass, precision

only one amp balanced output

I first purchased this amp to boost my Mac 7150 amp.
It was a revolution compared to the McIntosh preamp. The dynamic and transparency made a quantic jump. At the same time, the musicality was improved.

Since the my all system turned to Krell. I had also changed my Infinity Renaissance 90 for a pair of trade in Apogee Diva. Those speakers let me appreciate all the qualities of the KRC3.
I hace tried the ML380 when pruchasing, it has been blown away by the Krell.

System :
spkrs : Apogee Diva
amps : 2 x Krell MDA500 (midrange/treble)
1 x Krell KSA250 (bass)
pre : Krell KRC3
CD : Krell KAV300cd

Similar Products Used:

Mac Intosh MC38, 39, 40. ML380

I'm updating my system after 10 years and took the time to audition several preamplifiers. The Kell KRC-3 won hands down in my system. The Krell is very natural, but everything is there - including clean extended bass. I'm using balanced inputs (Purist Audio Design Colosus) from the Krell KAV-300cd and the combination continues to draw me into the music with detail I didn't realise was there on some of my favorite CDs.
The KRC-3 is one of the better bargains of the high end. I give it 5 speakers

Very transparent, and open sounding. It is much more dynamic sounding with balanced interconnects, than with single ended. Build quality is among the finest I've seen.It really brings out an appreciation for the musicians artistic talent. it's like listening to the music for the first time. What higher compliment is there?

Someone needs to step in here on this KRC 3 vs. Krell KRC HR comparison and bring some reason to the converstion! The KRC HR is better than the KRC 3 in all ways but two: bloom and depth of sound stage. The HR has far better bass and far better definition, top to bottom. Compared with the HR, the KRC 3 sounds a good deal like a tube product: soft, smooth, forgiving -- very un-Krell actually. It is hard to believe these two preamps are both Krells. There probably are better preamps than the HR once you're up in the $7k+ range: ARC Reference, maybe the new C-J Premier 16 for openers. If you like the tube sound and want a well-made solid state, ergonomically excellent preamp, the KRC 3 is fine. But don't buyg it expecting state of the art definition and bass.

I have owned many pre amps and I owned Krell KSL, KSP7B, KBL, KRC 2, and now KRC 3. As a matter of fact, KRC 3 is very 'unkrell', very detail and neutral. Compare to other Krell pre amp, (not KRC or KRC-HR), it does have a more involving music presentation. For the performance at this price, I will rate 5 stars. And the remote is cool as it also operates my Krell amp.

Owning a Krell KSA 200-S and a Krell CD-1 it was a matter of time and saving the necessary funds to acquire the KRC-3. Magnificent, the only way to describe this relatively bargain pre-amplifier. Of course the all-KRell system sounds very uuhh Krell like and makes the Maggies or Sonus Faber Guarnieri sing as never before. The pre-amp added spaciousness, air, slam and speed to the transparency of the maggies (1.5 SE) but you should hear what it does to the Guarneri. Am I satisfied...well almost. I would be willing to let the CD and pre-amp go for a Krell 20i/L.....but money prevents that step, yet.Highly recommended, good value, sturdy and the remote control is very eehh macho?

I own the KRC-3 since April and I fully agree with the remarkable series of positive reviews below (except the one that actually describes the Krell Audio/Video Standard, which has nothing to do on this page about the KRC-3 and without which the average would be extremely close to 5 speakers!). For my set-up and listening conditions, please see my review of the Sonus Faber Guarneri speakers.
The KRC-3 replaced my previous pre-amplifier, which was an Audio Synthesis Passion 8S passive pre-amp, known for its transparency and one of the very best in its category (+/- US$1000). Passive pre-amps are supposed to be the top, especially when your converter, like mine, puts out almost 8 Volt RMS in balanced mode. However, I as well as a number of friends whose very musical ears I fully trust, found something was missing. Well, whatever was missing (deep bass, broad and deep soundstage, control, flat response across the board and realism, or better, the human touch) is now part of my listening pleasure.

The KRC-3 does a great job in all of these areas and I do not have the impression that I have lost any of the transparency I previously enjoyed with my passive pre-amp (the Audio Synthesis is very good indeed in that and other areas). The KRC-3 really brings music more to life. My friend said it after having heard the burnt-in KRC-3 for not more than 30 seconds: "Now it all sounds right!". What greater compliment can there be. By the way, I advise to give this handsome, well built machine with its fantastic remote control, some time (2-3 months regular playing) to burn in before making a final judgement.

I recently tried the combination (KRC-3 and KSA 50S) with Nordost QuattroFil balanced cables. Wow! Spades of detail and ambiance. A delight. Nothing was missing, apart from listening fatigue, the absence of which is of course a good thing. These cables showed more than a glimpse of what this formidable pre-amp (especially if you consider its relatively modest price for a high end product) is capable of. No wonder Ken Kessler uses it as his daily tool to review other products. I am currently thinking of buying a more powerful amp, not necessarily another Krell (FPB 200 is now at US$7,500, which is a bit too much for my budget), so I would welcome suggestions from any of the readers who own or have experience with other combinations including the KRC-3.

In short: great sound, well built, great value, 5 speakers!

Transparency, build quality, flexibility

blue LED

I've used the KRC-3 for over a year now and have been very happy with my purchase. I waited about 2 years before purchasing a preamp and listened to many out there before settling on the Krell. It's a great preamp and definitely sounds best when used with the balanced inputs and outputs. So far the only problem I've had is the blue LED on the front - it seems to flicker in brightness while I am using the preamp (and no, it is not because I am using the remote!). I have watched it flicker back in forth while listening to music. I spoke to Krell and they said they had no idea why it is doing this. Hopefully it's just the light that is faulty and not something more involved. I can't give it a perfect rating because something that costs almost $3000 shouldn't have any problems after a year.

System:

Marantz cd63se, Meridian 508.2
Adcom gfa-5800
Krell krc-3
Martin-Logan Aerius
Audioquest diamondx3, midnight, ruby

This is also my newly upgraded preamp from Mark Levinson No.38. Compared with the ML, it is much more transparent. A great match for the Krell FPB-200 amp. You can do a little bit better at much more higher price. Soundstage width and depth are one of the best I have ever heard. Remember to use balanced input if possible to get the ultimate performance that you can ever ask for!

* See other reviews of associated equipment.


Associated equipment :

Krell FPB-200 amplifier,
Proceed CDD transport,
Proceed DAP d/a converter,
Avalon Avatar speakers,
All Cardas Golden Cross balanced interconnects and double runs (external bi-wire configuration) speaker cables,
Madrigal MDC-1 balanced digital cable,
Black Diamond Racing Cones.

The beauty of Krell engineering (thanks, Dan) lies in the ability of a product of one generation, to meld with a Krell product of later production. In short, this piece is a bargain. My "old" Krell KSA-100S amplifier has never sounded better in all parameters. Stage, resolution, transparency, and all other definitions nameable, are enhanced by this incredible piece of audio jewelry. I've no complaints.