Blew up the Krell S-300i

[JohnMichael]

Back to the service department again. The bi-wire pair of the AlphaCore MI1's proved to be too much a load for the amp and it shut down. It will not power back up so off to Krell it goes.

They will repair it under warranty unless it is something catastrophic. I was honest in how the failure happened and I am pleased that they are going to treat it as a warranty repair unless it is a real mess.

AlphaCore is sending me resistive links to use with the cables when the amp comes back. Both companies have been very helpful.

The Onkyo A-9555 is once again my integrated amp of choice or should I say only choice.

Has anyone else blown up any good amps lately?

[ForeverAutumn]

[JohnMichael]

It might be a little early to laugh about a man's equipment. Luclily there was no smoke so no curtains were harmed in the conflagration.

[Feanor]

Back to the service department again. The bi-wire pair of the AlphaCore MI1's proved to be too much a load for the amp and it shut down. It will not power back up so off to Krell it goes.

They will repair it under warranty unless it is something catastrophic. I was honest in how the failure happened and I am pleased that they are going to treat it as a warranty repair unless it is a real mess.

AlphaCore is sending me resistive links to use with the cables when the amp comes back. Both companies have been very helpful.

The Onkyo A-9555 is once again my integrated amp of choice or should I say only choice.

Has anyone else blown up any good amps lately?

Surely this isn't what we expect of a Krell amp. I don't see that the bi-wire AlphaCores should be enough lower in impedance to bother a Krell.

Class D amps are generally quite tolerant of speaker (& cable) loads, so hopefully that applies to the Onkyo.

[JohnMichael]

Surely this isn't what we expect of a Krell amp. I don't see that the bi-wire AlphaCores should be enough lower in impedance to bother a Krell.

Class D amps are generally quite tolerant of speaker (& cable) loads, so hopefully that applies to the Onkyo.

Dan D'Agostino was a big fan of AlphaCore and asked them to create the largest ribbon cables. I knew they could create problems with some amps but I did not expect it with a Krell. Of course I do know it was for his huge mono amps and the integrated amps are not built to that level. The S-300i is a beautiful in it's neutrality kind of amp.

I will not try the bi-wire cables until I have the resistive elements to eliminate this problem.

[E-Stat]

Surely this isn't what we expect of a Krell amp. I don't see that the bi-wire AlphaCores should be enough lower in impedance to bother a Krell.

Very high capacitance - not resistance - is the villain. That amp might also have stability issues driving electrostatic speakers.

Low inductance is a good goal, but I prefer cables that achieve it with lower than 0.5nF/ft capacitance.

[JohnMichael]

Come Back Little Krell! I miss it and the Onkyo is okay but there is very much a veil or two I do not have with the S-300i. I miss the clarity and purity and It will be two weeks tomorrow. It should be home soon.

[BadAssJazz]

Hopefully the repair will be a snap, so to speak.

[JohnMichael]

Hopefully the repair will be a snap, so to speak.

Thanks, from a zap to a snap. What is interesting was that it was not on long enough for the case to even get warm.

[bobsticks]

John, I'm sorry you're having to suffer through the inconvenience. I'll be raising a glass in hopes of much luck in a speedy repair. I know the Onkyo is capable but far from preferred.

Cheers

[RGA]

You're really not selling Krell to me. The sound never sold me but I was under the impression they could drive anything - isn't that the whole point of them?

[JohnMichael]

You're really not selling Krell to me. The sound never sold me but I was under the impression they could drive anything - isn't that the whole point of them?

Thanks for being your warm self. I like the sound and will miss that amp. Have you heard the S-300i?

[TheHills44060]

You're really not selling Krell to me. The sound never sold me but I was under the impression they could drive anything - isn't that the whole point of them?

I was thinking the exact same thing RGA! Frankly the idea of Krell even making integrated amps seems to conflict with the reasoning a consumer would purchase a Krell in the first place. Historically when I hear Krell I think of big brutish amps driving grueling loads. I feel the same way about Martin Logan making speakers other than electrostats...maybe i like to pigeon-hole manufacturers too much.

Hope you get you get your gear back sooner than later JM.

[Glen B]

You're really not selling Krell to me. The sound never sold me but I was under the impression they could drive anything - isn't that the whole point of them?

The problem John has is not an indictment of Krell. It can happen to any high bandwidth amplifier. The capacitance of a particular speaker/speaker cable can cause the amp to oscillate. The solution is to install an external Zobel network. Many amp manufacturers have Zobel networks consisting of a resistor and cap in series installed internally across the amp outputs.

[JohnMichael]

John, I'm sorry you're having to suffer through the inconvenience. I'll be raising a glass in hopes of much luck in a speedy repair. I know the Onkyo is capable but far from preferred.

Cheers

Thanks bobsticks. I truly enjoy the S-300i and while the Onkyo is a good int. amp for it's cost it is not as focused or as neutral as the Krell. I miss the tight controlled bass from the Krell as opposed to the loose bass of the Onkyo.

[GMichael]

Thanks bobsticks. I truly enjoy the S-300i and while the Onkyo is a good int. amp for it's cost it is not as focused or as neutral as the Krell. I miss the tight controlled bass from the Krell as opposed to the loose bass of the Onkyo.

So many puns can be made from this one, but in respect for your failed amp, I'll just wish it a speedy recovery.

Hope you get your Krell friend back home soon.

[Hyfi]

JM, sorry your baby crapped the bed and I hope it comes back fast.

Is it possible that they hosed something up when they had it back recently?

[JohnMichael]

JM, sorry your baby crapped the bed and I hope it comes back fast.

Is it possible that they hosed something up when they had it back recently?

I do not know but it sounded really good when it came home. It was weird because there was no sound in the left channel. Then it shut itself down.

[Hyfi]

I just lost the left front amp in my HK635 but it's not worth fixing.

[dean_martin]

It happens. The first time i connected speaker cables (bare wire) to my acurus power amp it not only blew out an amp channel it blew a tweeter in one of my speaks. Had to send both out for repair. Klipsch/acurus blamed me and i had to pay. Acoustic energy fixed the speaker under warranty. Good luck. Hope you're up and running again soon.

[JohnMichael]

It happens. The first time i connected speaker cables (bare wire) to my acurus power amp it not only blew out an amp channel it blew a tweeter in one of my speaks. Had to send both out for repair. Klipsch/acurus blamed me and i had to pay. Acoustic energy fixed the speaker under warranty. Good luck. Hope you're up and running again soon.

Krell is stepping up. I just receives my return authorization number and their assurance it would be repaired under warranty.

[TheHills44060]

Krell is stepping up. I just receives my return authorization number and their assurance it would be repaired under warranty.

Hey JM are you going through a local dealer or did you contact Krell yourself?

[JohnMichael]

Hey JM are you going through a local dealer or did you contact Krell yourself?

I am dealing with Krell directly. They are very nice and you get the feeling that they truly want to take care of your product. Or do they hear the seperation anxiety in my voice?

[frenchmon]

Oh...JM, sorry about your gear man. I know it hurts man. Don't trip off RGA. It really does not matter what he thinks man, he is not a fan. The sad part is he RGA seems to care more about hurting your feelings rather than holding his thoughts at such a ruff time in your life. Some audio bud he is. For me music is like part of me...so is my gear. It would hurt to not be able to have my systems when I needed it.....Its my therapy after work or when I am stressed. Some people drink or eat when stressed or depress...I don't drink...I don't smoke...no drugs...don't chase skirts any more so the only vise I have is my rig and the music I play. Out side of my family and dog and house, it's the most important thing to me. And I'm sure it's has a place in side your heart as well. RGA...your tripping man.

[RGA]

Sorry John Michael - I thought you were the poster who had to return the Krell because their power cords could catch on fire so I thought you were sending this back a "lot."

It's good that they are repairing it under warranty and it will be up and running and making you happy for the foreseeable future.