What to sell, and what to keep...

[glgroth]

I am currently using a Krell Showcase processor to drive an ATI 2505 amp along with a B&K ST-140 that are driving 7 M&K LCR-55 speakers and 2 M&K VX-75 Subs. The B&K is just for the 2 back channels and I bought it because it's lineage was very similar to the ATI and I thought the sound would be similar as well.
Everything is from ebay and works fine.
Here's the question: As part of the Krell Showcase deal on ebay, I convinced the seller to throw in the matching 7-channel Showcase Power amp. So now I have to make a decision. Should I leave the setup I have as-is, or sell the ATI and B&K and get the Krell amp re-capped? It plays fine except for some scratchiness. I have an RMA number from Krell but wanted some other people's opinions before committing to sending it in.
As I see it, the ATI at 106 lbs. will never really fit the shelves I have in mind. It works flawlessly, but I have it on a small furniture dolly so I can move it. The B&K isn't as wonderful sounding as I had imagined before I bought it, so I have no problem selling it. I also like the balanced inputs and 12V trigger on the Krell as a plus. But I could probably sell it as -is and let someone else get it fixed.
Is the Krell repair the best option? Please advise. Thanks.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How much does it cost to get the Krell amp fixed?

It would be cool to have both the Krell pre-pro & amp.

 

[glgroth]

I have been holding this RMA number for about a year now, but if memory serves, the breakdown was something like this: Krell would inspect the amp and give me a quote. Then, if I agreed to the quoted price, they would fix it at $125/hour plus parts. If it was not sent to them in the original packaging, they would replace that too, at around $160. All told, with shipping to and from Krell, a new box, and a general guesstimate of 4 hours to do the work, I'm looking at probably $900-$1.000 or so. These prices are about a year old, but I think they are close.
Given that I only have $79 into the amp, (shipping charges), I think I should make the plunge. I threw out this question just to see if someone would let me know if there were other things to consider, such as Krell finding more problems, etc. In other words, is this amp a good candidate for fixing?
I'm with you. I think the Krell combo would look sweet on my shelf, will likely sound better than my current setup, and last a long time. Now to selling the ATI and B&K...

 

[slipperybidness]

You could likely get a better price if you found a local independent shop to do the repair work.

But, if you want to sell it in the future, some buyers may be turned off if done outside of Krell.

 

[glgroth]

Good point. I would imagine that the re-cap comes with a warranty. They are going to go through it with a fine tooth comb as I understand it and advise me of other impending problems.
I also wonder if some of the parts they use are proprietary and an independent would need to get them from Krell anyways. Then we get into shipping times and markups.
Thanks for your input.

 

[glgroth]

On a somewhat sidebar topic, I feel compelled to share a method of shipping heavy, delicate items without fear of damage when using non-factory shipping boxes. Go to a dollar store and buy some of those "noodles" that kids use in a swimming pool. Use a serrated bread knife to cut them to correct size for your box. Pack them in tightly around your heavy item. They are light and won't add much to the package weight. This method has never failed me. They are dirt cheap at the end of summer. Hope this helps someone.

 

[slipperybidness]

Proprietary Krell parts seems pretty unlikely to me.

Resistors, caps, inductors, transistors, etc, etc, are all commodities.

I have run into a few special situations in industrial electronics where I source out the part and the part number that I have from my gear has some suffix on it. Then when I contacted the OEM and read the part number, they recognize the suffix and say "we can only sell that part to Company X".

If the only thing that it needs is new caps, then this is a trivial repair for any decent tech. And any decent shop will give you at least a 30 day warranty and likely longer.

All that being said, I do understand why you would be more comfortable sending it to Krell, even if that costs more $.

 

[slipperybidness]

On a somewhat sidebar topic, I feel compelled to share a method of shipping heavy, delicate items without fear of damage when using non-factory shipping boxes. Go to a dollar store and buy some of those "noodles" that kids use in a swimming pool. Use a serrated bread knife to cut them to correct size for your box. Pack them in tightly around your heavy item. They are light and won't add much to the package weight. This method has never failed me. They are dirt cheap at the end of summer. Hope this helps someone.

Good Idea!!!!


Thanks!

 

[glgroth]

When I got the amp I was living near Chicago, so I immediately contacted Amplifier Surgery in Downers Grove, IL. They advised me that I should send it to Krell. That is when I started down that path. I now live in South Carolina and am not up to speed on who to choose if done locally.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think the Krell combo would look sweet on my shelf, will likely sound better than my current setup, and last a long time. Now to selling the ATI and B&K...

I don't think the Krell will sound better than the ATI or B&K. Not at all.

I just think it would look cool. But I don't think $1K is worth looking cool.

 

[slipperybidness]

I don't think the Krell will sound better than the ATI or B&K. Not at all.

I just think it would look cool. But I don't think $1K is worth looking cool.

You have a good point.

I think the real question that the OP needs to answer---How much is that amp worth after the repair?

 

[glgroth]

When I originally bought the ATI, I used it with a B&K REF 30 to drive five VMPS Super Tower II's in a 5.1 setup. It would shake the house if desired. Now, VMPS is gone, and I have much smaller speakers and really don't need much power. Plus we're back to the WAF. My wife has hinted that the Krell has much more visual appeal and she would like to see me get it repaired. In the long haul, there is a lot of merit in keeping the wife happy...

 

[slipperybidness]

When I originally bought the ATI, I used it with a B&K REF 30 to drive five VMPS Super Tower II's in a 5.1 setup. It would shake the house if desired. Now, VMPS is gone, and I have much smaller speakers and really don't need much power. Plus we're back to the WAF. My wife has hinted that the Krell has much more visual appeal and she would like to see me get it repaired. In the long haul, there is a lot of merit in keeping the wife happy...

Heck, if your wife told you that.....then why did you ask us? We all know that wife = the Boss

How much is that Krell worth after the repair? That would be my only concern at this point. If it costs $1000 to repair and then it's worth $1000, then it still doesn't make sense to repair it (unless you can do it yourself or have a friend that could do it for beer).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My wife has hinted that the Krell has much more visual appeal and she would like to see me get it repaired. In the long haul, there is a lot of merit in keeping the wife happy...

Definitely don't go against the wife.

If amplifier aesthetic is worth $1K to your wife, then definitely oblige.

My wife would have said, "Hells no, don't spend $1K on an old amp; instead, "save" $500 by giving me $500 to spend on some shoes, bags, or watches".

 

[glgroth]

My wife has a lot of influence for sure. She has endured my attempts at better sound for 38 years. Now I'm leaning towards components that are very simple for her to use. I won't be around forever and I still want her to be able to enjoy the theater system without being an audiophile. The cost, though considerable, is secondary, because the amp will probably outlast me.
One more thing: The Krell has balanced inputs and I've already bought the cables. Plus it has 2 more channels than the ATI.
My "golden ears: days are gone. Reliability and ease of use are paramount. I think I'll ship it away to Krell soon with one final caveat:
How much beer are we talking? I used to be a member of the Beer Can Collectors of America and am familiar with that beverage? Know any takers?