Depending the age of the amplifier it could be classified as a complete recap. I would think that the original brand of electrolytics might not be available ,so then it is a upgrade. It's just semantics,but the amplifier could sound as new or better than new,which is exciting. I always enjoy hearing equipment that is updated and have never heard one that hasn't been euphonic.
The thing that scares me and excites me is that I found the KBL to be a very special preamp and it elevated my entire system-and this was when it was on its last legs before it quit working. Ray from Krell told me that if I thought it sounded good before it broke, wait until I hear it after it comes back. He said the bottom end will be much stronger and the midrange will be better. I hope he's right and I have no reason to believe otherwise. As for the KSA-250, I have never heard one before and all I have to go on is all of the positive things people have to say who have either owned one (and there are more than a few on this forum) or who have spent time listening to one. I have never heard/read anything negative about this amp. Hopefully I will find it as special as other people have. I just don't know what to expect when I fire up my system with both the Krell KBL and the KSA-250. I am looking forward to it though.
With the Krell KPE Reference phono stage, I will have an all Krell system on the electronics side. This will also be a first for me. All of my previous systems have been a mixture of gear from different manufacturers.
Myles-Depends on what you call updating. They are replacing 56 capacitors, 4 resistors, and 4 relays. I would consider the replacement of the caps to be updating.
Unfortunately, when you buy gear this old, it’s a crapshoot if it will work, and if it does work, how long it will work. And you are right, I will have peace of mind that both pieces have been back to Krell, gone through and repaired and brought back up to full specifications.
Ray from Krell sent me another email today and said they should have my amp repaired this week and the KBL is ready to ship. I also received an email today from Adona and my new amp stand has shipped.
Unfortunately, when you buy gear this old, it’s a crapshoot if it will work, and if it does work, how long it will work. And you are right, I will have peace of mind that both pieces have been back to Krell, gone through and repaired and brought back up to full specifications.
Ray from Krell sent me another email today and said they should have my amp repaired this week and the KBL is ready to ship. I also received an email today from Adona and my new amp stand has shipped.
Myles-Depends on what you call updating. They are replacing 56 capacitors, 4 resistors, and 4 relays. I would consider the replacement of the caps to be updating.
You can believe it. They are essentially replacing electrolytic capacitors and it is just an area where there were many developments in 20 years - current high quality electrolytic capacitors have much better performance and reliability than those used by Krell at the time your units were manufactured.
A quick update. The KBl and KSA-250 have been repaired and were shipped to me today via UPS Freight and are scheduled to arrive on Monday, 24 Oct 11. I'm excited.
A quick update. The KBl and KSA-250 have been repaired and were shipped to me today via UPS Freight and are scheduled to arrive on Monday, 24 Oct 11. I'm excited.
Glad the 2 Krell units are on their way back to you. I hope that they prove to be everything that you envision. I look forward to hearing your comments regarding their performance which undoubtedly improve with playback.
Both pieces are here and warming up! I checked the tracking number last night and saw they were in Louisville, Ky at 6:30 P.M. I checked again this morning and they were sitting at the UPS Freight hub in Indy at 6:30 this morning. When I got to work, I called the UPS Freight center and they said they were going to sit in Indy until Monday and then they would be delivered. I nixed that and drove to Indy this afternoon and picked them up. I just finished hooking them up to the system and everything works. I currently have the music server set to random and I'm going to let everything cook for 3 hours or so before I go down to listen. I only suffered minor bruises and contusions during the process.
Both pieces are here and warming up! I checked the tracking number last night and saw they were in Louisville, Ky at 6:30 P.M. I checked again this morning and they were sitting at the UPS Freight hub in Indy at 6:30 this morning. When I got to work, I called the UPS Freight center and they said they were going to sit in Indy until Monday and then they would be delivered. I nixed that and drove to Indy this afternoon and picked them up. I just finished hooking them up to the system and everything works. I currently have the music server set to random and I'm going to let everything cook for 3 hours or so before I go down to listen. I only suffered minor bruises and contusions during the process.
Both pieces are here and warming up! I checked the tracking number last night and saw they were in Louisville, Ky at 6:30 P.M. I checked again this morning and they were sitting at the UPS Freight hub in Indy at 6:30 this morning. When I got to work, I called the UPS Freight center and they said they were going to sit in Indy until Monday and then they would be delivered. I nixed that and drove to Indy this afternoon and picked them up. I just finished hooking them up to the system and everything works. I currently have the music server set to random and I'm going to let everything cook for 3 hours or so before I go down to listen. I only suffered minor bruises and contusions during the process.
It was an hour and 20 minutes way from my house-worth the trip. Krell was going to give me a new power cord for the KSA-250 and they forgot. I'm using some PS audio big mama power cord I bought so I would have a 20 amp cord on hand.
Mep,
I can not believe ... If you do not listen from cold, how will you be able to tell us about the big difference between cold and after some hours burn-in?
Do you have the "Louis" CD from VTL (VTL 007) ? It was recorded using tubes, but sounds great in a Krell KSA250.
Nice thing is when you get the amp back, you know it meets all its specs!
