Krell KSA Amps and the Apogee Scintilla, which newer Krell models can drive a 1 ohm load?

Pacha

VIP/Donor
Apr 23, 2014
145
157
435
Many years ago I had Scintillas with a KRS 2 pre and KMA 100 amps, later moved to a KRSB pre and KRS 100 amps. The speakers were Mk II and only .8 ohms. I later moved to Divas, a much easier load to drive.
 

Rawlit

Member
Oct 6, 2021
34
20
13
45
Hi Simon,

I've had the KSA-100 Mk1 and Mk2 versions, KMA-100 Mk2, KMA-200 Mk2 and now the Krell KRS-100.
I can't say much about the other models you've mentioned but from the KSA-250/150 series onwards none of them are real fixed bias Class A amps. Friends of mine operated KMA-160's and a FPB-600 which became very hot to the touch.
The KSA-80/200 and their mono derivates the KMA-160/400 all had problems with too much heat and too little heatsinks.
My Krell KRS-100's use much bigger heatsinks (and six of them per channel instad of three) than the KSA-80/200 for instance and with 600 Watts AC intake they keep relatively "cool" compared to the other two mentioned. The KSA-250 was throttled down with the quiescent current and got even smaller heatsinks that fitted in with the width of the frontplate.
It's my belief that only the Krell KRS series of amplifiers are truly Class A (I measured 180 Watts Class A @ 8 Ohms for my samples) amplifiers that can power those 1 Ohm Apogees like the Fullrange and Scintilla.
The longtime importer of Krell electronics in the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg) told me that they had lots of problems with the KSA and KMA from the eighties and early nineties and not with the KRS Series other than replacing old caps (especially the deep red radial Roedersteins and relays). No reliability problems as with the other Krells.
I love them because they sound so wonderful! View attachment 76029
Hi Mlas,

I see you sold your KRS 100s, what did you end up buying?

thank you
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing