Krell to service

[JohnMichael]

My Krell S-300i is making noise in the right channel. The noise continues after the amp is in standby mode. The noise is more than a slight hiss that some amps have. When I talked to Krell this morning the service tech said I had better send it to them. I took the opportunity to mention my first S-300i had to be exchanged due to a bad switch on the front panel.

Well at least I saved the packaging. I also still have the Onkyo A9555. My nephews were in town for the Holidays and I asked them to help clean out the walk-in closet and I was going to give them the Onkyo, Ascend speakers and a Marantz cd player. They found better things to do and I am now happy they did.

Well no Krell for several weeks. I think I will use the RS6's since they are more efficient and easier to drive than the OML1's. I hope they get it fixed and this is the last problem I have. The good news is the 5 year warranty so other than the UPS shipping charges on a 43 pound amp it will not cost me anything.

The bad news is that I will worry about the reliability of the amp. When I had 2 issues with a Thorens table I ended up buying the Rega to have something dependable. Oh well maybe this problem was coming on gradually and the amp will sound even better after repair.

[Ajani]

Sorry to hear about the Krell. I really hope they fix it quickly and it sounds better than ever.

It's always disappointing when audio gear stops working, especially products that aren't exactly cheap. I really wish that increases in the price of gear would also directly relate to increases in reliability. When my $800 Emotiva Amp crapped out, I opted to get rid of it (as it was always going to be a temporary amp anyway), but if it had been an $8K Levinson I'd have no choice but to get it repaired...

[TheHills44060]

Sorry to hear about that JM. Having to box that thing up and ship it out really stinks but at least you have an available backup and you are still under warranty (whew). I'd check a local dealer and see if they can take care of the legwork for you.

When my $800 Emotiva Amp crapped out...

The absolute hilariousness of this still has not worn off.

[Ajani]

The absolute hilariousness of this still has not worn off.

Always happy to entertain you...

How is the McIntosh doing? I heard you're planning to ditch it for an Ice amp...

[JohnMichael]

Always happy to entertain you...

How is the McIntosh doing? I heard you're planning to ditch it for an Ice amp...

It has been a long time since I have listened to the Onkyo which is a class D amp. It used to power the OML1's before I bought the Krell. I have never heard it with the RS6's. Should be an evening of packing up the Krell and installing the A-9555.

[Ajani]

It has been a long time since I have listened to the Onkyo which is a class D amp. It used to power the OML1's before I bought the Krell. I have never heard it with the RS6's. Should be an evening of packing up the Krell and installing the A-9555.

Looking forward to your impressions...

[Hyfi]

Sorry to hear about your loss, if only temporary.

Oddly enough, I have been staring at that unit at some length as I try to decide what I would do when I need to downsize, which may not be that long from now since I can't really take care of my house and property with my back issues.

I got to hear one many years ago when the first one was released and I was buying sub $500 components and cannot remember how it sounded. I do remember that every larger Krell amp I heard, I liked.

Hope it comes back fast!

[JohnMichael]

Thanks guys and at least I will not be without music. I may miss it more after the Onkyo takes it's place. Last night while playing some vinyl I rested a hand on the Krell while cleaning the stylus. I noticed the right side was not running as warm as the left. I am glad I realized there was a problem before anything worse happened.

[Ajani]

When you get the Krell back you might want to consider setting up a 2nd system with the Onkyo, RS6, CD5001 and Slates... Might be fun to have to 2 different set-ups to play around with depending on your mood...

[JohnMichael]

When you get the Krell back you might want to consider setting up a 2nd system with the Onkyo, RS6, CD5001 and Slates... Might be fun to have to 2 different set-ups to play around with depending on your mood...

Might make a nice bedroom system. Of course the only bedroom I would have room is the dog's room.

[JohnMichael]

The Onkyo is not bad but it is not a Krell. The bass is not there with the Onkyo. Not just in depth but in the fullness of the bass. The sound with the Onkyo is more two dimensional than the full bodied sounds of the Krell. Depth of soundstage with the Krell is so much better. I cannot wait for my RA number and to get it to UPS. The Onkyo is not bad but it is not a Krell.

Funny how something different is exciting at first but the longer the listen the more you hear. The more you hear the more you want the better componenet in the system. In fairness to the Onkyo it had not been used for any length of time for over two years. The sound may improve but not a Krell.

[JohnMichael]

The Onkyo has warmed up a little in sound since it has played all day. A very good match for the RS6's. Nicely detailed sound as long as I am using the AlphaCore TQ2 IC's. The DNM Resons sure can smooth and grey up the sound.

The A-9555 and RS6's would make a great party system. The Onkyo has enough drive and a little agression to the sound which is making Lucinda Williams live album more exciting. Time to put down the air guitar and make dinner.

[JohnMichael]

Well I called Krell service Wednesday and they told me to go online and fill out the form requesting a return authorization number. I did that and was wondering when I should expect that number. I tried calling and was only able to leave a message. I thought I would have had the number quickly. Any ideas how long this might take. I am anxious to send it out and get it back.

[frenchmon]

Its a good thing you had the A-9555. I would have withdrawals if I did not have my music when I wanted it.

I hate to worry about any of my toys and when things will be back to normal.

[RGA]

Unfortunately it is over the holidays when it can be slow for companies to respond often hiring temp staff to replace their vacationing regular staff - if they're even open.

It is interesting when I talk to dealer friends which lines they eventually drop based on returns. Dealers hate products that fail because while no company is immune the dealer is usually the one on the front line that has to deal with the complaints. Some outfits are very bad with dealers let alone customers. Other companies have those 20 year warranties - they fail just as often as other stuff but they deal with it quickly and effectively while others drag their feet. Commercial Electronics dropped a big name receiver line for poor customer service and slow repair times or not paying the dealers for their repair work.

The other big issue most people never consider is replacement parts. Many speaker makers and some CD and amp makers make a product and sell it. Great. But 10 years later and 3 model changes later the speaker company no longer makes the same tweeters or woofers or transformer or uses the same transport mechanism or laser reader.

So sure it's out of warranty buy you expect to be able to repair a 10 year old high end hi-fi item. You don't expect to have to throw your $7,000 speaker in the garbage bin and buy a new pair. And this happens a fair bit more than people think.

[JohnMichael]

Unfortunately it is over the holidays when it can be slow for companies to respond often hiring temp staff to replace their vacationing regular staff - if they're even open.

It is interesting when I talk to dealer friends which lines they eventually drop based on returns. Dealers hate products that fail because while no company is immune the dealer is usually the one on the front line that has to deal with the complaints. Some outfits are very bad with dealers let alone customers. Other companies have those 20 year warranties - they fail just as often as other stuff but they deal with it quickly and effectively while others drag their feet. Commercial Electronics dropped a big name receiver line for poor customer service and slow repair times or not paying the dealers for their repair work.

The other big issue most people never consider is replacement parts. Many speaker makers and some CD and amp makers make a product and sell it. Great. But 10 years later and 3 model changes later the speaker company no longer makes the same tweeters or woofers or transformer or uses the same transport mechanism or laser reader.

So sure it's out of warranty buy you expect to be able to repair a 10 year old high end hi-fi item. You don't expect to have to throw your $7,000 speaker in the garbage bin and buy a new pair. And this happens a fair bit more than people think.

This must not have been written to make me feel better. The amp is still in production so I am not worried about parts availability. I just want to get it on it's way.

[JohnMichael]

Its a good thing you had the A-9555. I would have withdrawals if I did not have my music when I wanted it.

I hate to worry about any of my toys and when things will be back to normal.

I am the same way with my toys. I had to send a Canon film camera in for repairs shortly after purchasing it but the camera came back fully functional. The repair was done so well you would never have known the camera had been repaired. Oh and it is time to send my Swiss chronometer in for a cleaning and reset and I will sweat that one out.

I hope they find the source of the problem and truly fix the Krell. I purchased it as the last int. amp I might ever need. The Thorens ttable that I had repaired twice came back with more wrong each time.

I now wish I kept the original amp that only had a bad switch on the faceplate but performed perfectly by remote. This was a big purchase for me at my income level as a caregiver so when I have had two problems now I feel a little foolish. Thought I was buying quality. The A-9555 I bought discounted for $500 has never failed to perform.

[Ajani]

This was a big purchase for me at my income level as a caregiver so when I have had two problems now I feel a little foolish. Thought I was buying quality. The A-9555 I bought discounted for $500 has never failed to perform.

I feel your pain. Ideally a $2.5K amp should run flawlessly until whenever you decide to stop using it.

Sadly, that is the problem with buying luxury gear. No guarantee of better reliability than the cheaper stuff.

[RGA]

John Micheal

The problem I think is that higher end audio to some degree is a bit like a sports car - there are more problems but the performance makes up for it.

I reviewed the Audio Note CD 2.1 and it uses what I deem to be a finnicky transport mechanism - it's the Philips L1210 - it's used in the Bryston and Sim Audio machines so it's regarded as a good transport by these makers.

Still I am more confident in my old Cambridge Audio CD 6 which was a Sanyo I believe. The AN player sounds vastly better but on build quality I don't think it's really any better - at least not from the outside - the AN uses better internals.

It's hard to sacrifice sound quality for better build quality though. I could have bought Bryston Separates with 20 year warranties on both over the Audio Note OTO Phono SE which comes with a 1 year warranty. But to me the former was completely unlistenable in direct comparison so I could own it for 20 years worry free but I would rather listen to it when it was turned off. Or roll the dice that superior parts quality in the latter would not need the protection of the warranty in the first place.

Ask me again in 14 years if I made the right choice. But on sound quality the choice was clear IMO.

I think too many people look at the outer case and physical impressiveness of the box - few look inside to see the parts quality. Partly why people like DIY - is because it's all about the parts. Of course they also have to consider the design.

I have heard a number of kits that cost the same as retail products - so in theory these DIY products should destroy a manufactured product for the same money - and that is not the case at least not all the time. There are things done at the big plants that home users can't do and those things can often be the difference maker. The overall design is critical not just the driver material or the cabinet material.

[Ajani]

John Micheal

The problem I think is that higher end audio to some degree is a bit like a sports car - there are more problems but the performance makes up for it.

I agree with the idea that there is an increase in performance, but I don't agree that the performance makes up for the lack of reliability. Would you buy a $5K amp that makes every amp you've tried sound like crap, but comes with a 1 year warranty and is in notorious for falling apart in a year? (If I had loads of expendable income then sure, but with a middle class income that's not exactly pocket change). Many audiophiles do like JM and save their pennies for something really special, hoping that it will last them.

I have heard a number of kits that cost the same as retail products - so in theory these DIY products should destroy a manufactured product for the same money - and that is not the case at least not all the time. There are things done at the big plants that home users can't do and those things can often be the difference maker. The overall design is critical not just the driver material or the cabinet material.

Design is the most important aspect IMO. I could place the most expensive drivers and crossover I can afford in my old Technics 3 way cabinet, but that doesn't guarantee it will sound good (or even better than the original product). It's why I'm not convinced of the whole modder's market. Many of these proposed mods just seem like someone looked at the spec sheet of the product and came up with a random list of more expensive parts to replace the existing ones.

[JohnMichael]

The S-300i is settled in and sounding incredible. Now that the unit is operating properly I was better able to decide on speakers. I can now more readily hear that the RS6's do dynamics well at the expense of flow. I am using the OML 1's for the flow, depth and imaging. Now that both channels are operating correctly I am happier with the bass response.

Much of the issues I contributed to other components was really the problem with the amp. As for now I am very happy with my current set-up. The only thing left to do is install the AntiCables my next day off from work.

[frenchmon]

Good! Now let the music flow....and put the A-9555 back in its resting place. Lets hear some serious tunes...

And speaking of serious music...Can you give me the name of a very good classical recording where the music is really dynamic and wont put me to sleep with a lot of silent passages?

Thanks.

[JohnMichael]

The Onkyo is back in the closet. The Krell is singing sweetly again. When I first received the S-300i I was blown away by the int. amp. I returned the first unit for a bad selector button that worked well by remote. When I received the current model I was not as impressed but I thought I had adjusted to the sound. Now I wonder if the second model had a problem from the beginning and it worsened to the point I heard the distortion. I think it must have had a part that was out of spec or slowly failing.

Now that the repaired unit is back so is the sweet sounds and great soundstaging that first blew me away. I was listening to a new recording by Joshua Bell and loved the sound of his violin. I have yet to rock out with it but I will on Sunday, my next day off.

[frenchmon]

There is a very powerful TV commercial playing in St. Louis right now of the St. Louis Symphony orchestra where they show you the dynamic of a powerful live concert. Boy was it powerful! I have to get to the symphony one of these days