Krell showcase 5

[jaybirdmusic74]

My audio guy has just called to let me know he has a 10 month old Krell showcase 5 amp in stock for $3500 canadian taxes included.

I need to know if this is a good amp for that price? I admit I dont know much about Krell.

Please help I'd hate to miss a good deal.

I'm not even sure if this amp will help my system, I have definitive speakers with built in amps.


ROCK ON
Jaybirdmusic

 

[Takeereasy]

Well I can tell you that the MSRP is $5k US. I can also tell you that Krell is a famous brand among those who have big bucks to throw into audio and they make some very nice amps, many of which have costs in the stratosphere.

That said what kind of amp or receiver are you using now and what are the models of the def techs? I don't know if you'll see much improvement but one option for you might be to go to the dealer and have them hook up your model speakers to this amp and whatever receiver/amp you have and see if there is a big difference. A good dealer won't mind doing this to make a $3500 sale and to have a happy customer.

 

[Sleestack]

Personally, I was very unimpressed with the Showcase line. I believe it is Krell's lowest line and IMO, it seemed to be cheap gear marked up b/c of the Krell name. I think you have better amp choices, new or used at that price range.

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

Well I can tell you that the MSRP is $5k US. I can also tell you that Krell is a famous brand among those who have big bucks to throw into audio and they make some very nice amps, many of which have costs in the stratosphere.

That said what kind of amp or receiver are you using now and what are the models of the def techs? I don't know if you'll see much improvement but one option for you might be to go to the dealer and have them hook up your model speakers to this amp and whatever receiver/amp you have and see if there is a big difference. A good dealer won't mind doing this to make a $3500 sale and to have a happy customer.

I have a integra DTR 6.4 receiver and def 7002 speakers

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

Personally, I was very unimpressed with the Showcase line. I believe it is Krell's lowest line and IMO, it seemed to be cheap gear marked up b/c of the Krell name. I think you have better amp choices, new or used at that price range.

could you tell me some of those choices

 

[Takeereasy]

You have a really nice setup jaybird. Sleekstack is also one of the good guys here to get ideas from on some of the more costly amps and speakers. He's got a couple of drool-worth setups anyone on the site would love to have. I'm assuming you're a canuck like me and I'll try to come up with an idea or two for you but for the $$$ stuff he's really a guy to listen to imo.

I do think you may see an improvement in the 7200's if you give them a little more power because their power handeling ability is well above the 100w you're feeding them now and they have several drivers to power. Your on-board amp is only powering your 12" woofer and the radiators leaving you 4 mids and 2 tweets to drive.

I still contend that the best way to be sure more power will equal better sound is to audition your speakers with different power supplys at the dealer who sold them to you. I doubt they'll have the integra receiver (which is a nice unit but a couple of years older) but they should have something comperable powerwise for you to do your A/B testing with. Just make sure they level match the setup for you.

I do have a quick question (ok 3 of them) though, are you looking for a multi channel amp, a stereo amp, or mono-blocks? If you only have the 2 7200's then you can get a killer amp used or just an amazing amp new. The good thing about amps is that well built ones last forever. Companies like Bryston offer 20 yr fully transferrable warranty. (I like to promote Bryston because they are Canadan and one of the few "high-end" brands I'm aquainted with.)

Some good names that you'll find in the $3500 category be they new or used are Classe, Bryston, Marantz (in this price range their stuff IS good imo), Mcintosh, Anthem, Rotel, Arcam. For a few of those companies $3500 will put you into their top end products. Look audiogon or ebay for used. Audiogon members often won't ship to Canada but you'll find more high-end gear there. Also look at canuckaudiomart.com.

For used here's a few good products: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162947477

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1163023043

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162136696

And here's one from Toronto: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162920849

Have fun and take your time. You have a good budget, just spend it wisely.

 

[billy p]

Just a though

I'm no expert on most of these subjects . A coulpe of the Mod's have 7 Behringer A 500 in bridge mode running 7 channels @500wpc @ 8 Ohms for about $1200.00 US. I would say thats power enough for anyone!! Check them out www.behringer.com/A500/index.cfm?lang=ENG

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

You have a really nice setup jaybird. Sleekstack is also one of the good guys here to get ideas from on some of the more costly amps and speakers. He's got a couple of drool-worth setups anyone on the site would love to have. I'm assuming you're a canuck like me and I'll try to come up with an idea or two for you but for the $$$ stuff he's really a guy to listen to imo.

I do think you may see an improvement in the 7200's if you give them a little more power because their power handeling ability is well above the 100w you're feeding them now and they have several drivers to power. Your on-board amp is only powering your 12" woofer and the radiators leaving you 4 mids and 2 tweets to drive.

I still contend that the best way to be sure more power will equal better sound is to audition your speakers with different power supplys at the dealer who sold them to you. I doubt they'll have the integra receiver (which is a nice unit but a couple of years older) but they should have something comperable powerwise for you to do your A/B testing with. Just make sure they level match the setup for you.

I do have a quick question (ok 3 of them) though, are you looking for a multi channel amp, a stereo amp, or mono-blocks? If you only have the 2 7200's then you can get a killer amp used or just an amazing amp new. The good thing about amps is that well built ones last forever. Companies like Bryston offer 20 yr fully transferrable warranty. (I like to promote Bryston because they are Canadan and one of the few "high-end" brands I'm aquainted with.)

Some good names that you'll find in the $3500 category be they new or used are Classe, Bryston, Marantz (in this price range their stuff IS good imo), Mcintosh, Anthem, Rotel, Arcam. For a few of those companies $3500 will put you into their top end products. Look audiogon or ebay for used. Audiogon members often won't ship to Canada but you'll find more high-end gear there. Also look at canuckaudiomart.com.

For used here's a few good products: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162947477

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1163023043

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162136696

And here's one from Toronto: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162920849

Have fun and take your time. You have a good budget, just spend it wisely.

I'm not even sure how many channels I should be looking at. I have a 6 channel receiver, which eventually i will go to separates. I have 5.1 speakers. My fronts r the bp7002 my centre is the clr2500, my rears are small, mostly i listen to music and concert dvd's which i am looking for the bragging rights among my peers as the ultimate place to see your favorite band. I'm a metal head, so I need crystal clear highs, as well as a strong bottom end. I want my ears to quit before my system does! so now i ask you all, how do i do it?