Krell HTS - How good and what else?

jstwong:


I own Krell gear, including HTS in both my theater and testing lab/theater too. For me, I could afford to buy anything out there but choose Krell due to my personal taste. In one word for Krell, AWESOME. The analog and sound staging is outstanding and the code they write for it is top notch. For me, the only other two companies that offer their kind of service, support and upgrades are Theta and Meridian. Krell has plans to announce at the 2001 CES news on their upcoming revisions for the HTS. At this time, I fully expect them to have boards for 7.1 next year and code for both Digital EX and DTS ES too. Others things are planned like CAST cards, but the big push is the 7.1 and new surround code for now.


I love my Krell gear a lot and have always found them to have great service and support. The HTS is a superior piece and is un-matched in sonic quality when teamed with their 250a combo amps or the KAV 1500. I'm using this with the new Dynaudio T 2.5 speaker system and the sound is the best I've heard at movies anywhere. The only thing that comes close that I have heard in person is Theta with Aerial Acoustic speakers. Personally, I like the Krell/Dynaudio combo better but when you are in this league it's really mostly a personal choice because the products are so good.


Krell HTS and gear get two thumbs WAY up high!


Get lots of demos and have fun. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


Jeff


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Hi,


I second TheaterJeff's opinion 100%.


The sound is very sweet and quiet. I use mine with Martin Logan speakers all around.


The HTS is very good for music as well. Sound stage is wide and deep and quiet.


If the upgrades come through, I will be jazzed!


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Joe Cole

Quote:

John,


Krell has done small updates on the HTS including improving the delay. It is much shorter now than it was when I first got the unit. It does not come in to play during pauses only at the begining of a DVD or CD while it searches for the type of sound track. It was annoying in the begining but not now.


Don't let this keep you from getting one for 4500(good deal). If you want it for music as much as HT, this the one to get, in my opinion.


There is good quality else where as well.


So how many posts does one have to do to get the new member label off ones name anyway?



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Joe Cole

Quote:

Jstwong:


Krell has not yet come out with any upgrades for the HTS so it's hard to say. From my sources, it will certainly be competative with others like Theta and Meridian 861 cards. We will have full details on our new site when this happens.


Happy listening,


Jeff


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enlightened audio designs makes wonderful pre-amp/processors. definitely a must listen. smaller company than theta/krell/meridian, but more sound/$ IMHO.


rob


you can check out the theatermaster reviews at http://www.eadcorp.com/reviews.htm .


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Migliore Theater

jstwong,


I just like the sound of Senior Member. Besides, in 3 days I will be starting my 50th year on earth. Um, maybe new member is not so bad after all. Which Krell amp are you thinking of buying?




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Joe Cole

Quote:

jstwong:


The Krell 250a combo is great, it's what I'm using right now. One thing you should know is the KAV-1500 sell for $8,500. I've done actual listening for extensive time with both combos and the only difference is the power output at 300 watts per channel instead of 250. Balance, tonal quality and detail remain the same from what I've heard. If you were to sum them up, the KAV-1500 is slightly brighter for movies and the 250a is more twords music. Unless you have A/B compared them in the same room/system you would never hear the difference. Even Krell says sonically they sound the same and the power output is about all you gain.


Happy listening,


Jeff


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Kotches:


I'm not sure what you mean about the Krell, you will need to provide more details for a better answer. However, I will try to give some based upon what I know and your post. First, I know Krell, Theta and Meridian quite well. All of them plan to support SACD, DVD-Audio once it has become a fixed software application like DVD. None of them plan to develop anything for their processors until one format is decided upon and accepted. From speaking with them it could be several years still or longer. They don't care about backing such a limited format until the studio companies get behind them and it takes over like CD or DVD. Consumers must embrace this format if it's going to take off otherwise I look for no support from anyone regardless of company on this.


Second, the Krell is one of the best HT processors I have used and it's as full featured in most respects (if not more so in certain areas) as anything out there. It doesn't have analog bypass right now, so no it won't do that if that's so important to someone. Listening to the Theta, only die hard audiophiles will tell a difference in using the bypass or a Krell/Meridian 861 processor.


Yes, Krell will support the HTS and as far as I'm concerned it is great for anything you want to throw at it. If looking at this I would also suggest a demo of Meridian 861 and Theta Casablanca II to hear and see what is best for you.


Regards,


Jeff


P.S. Right now I'm trying to support both sites, here and my own which has staff coming on board for future events. If you don't hear from me check both places as things are quite busy getting everything done.




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Kotches:


Your comments are correct to a certain extent. The audio formats are indeed fixed, but none of those companies are currently willing to support them until support is established. I have comments from all three companies that stated they would indeed support them, but only when there is a broad market. Once source, which I won't reveal, stated they must come to a point of sell like CD or DVD before they will embrace it.


As it stands now, there are few discs available for either of those formats. When asked about this, one of my sources stated that only when pop/rock music is available on a wide scale and catalogs will be built from non-current music is when they will develop. I too agree with most of what I have been told by the sources at those companies and that right now it's not a format that has much appeal as things stand. Studio companies must lock-in and thus far there seems to be little interest in either DVD-Audio or SACD formats.


I think what they want from what I'm hearing is for it to be driven hard, especially for young age groups to buy it. Only when big $$$ can be made from top 40 music will we see any support from what I hear. On a side note, I certainly agree with you about analog sources and if it's a big deal then you should consider a unit with analog bypass. However, from the high-end sytems I've heard, there is not a big difference in them right now. If however one of those formats is embraced and it get the blessing of the consumer then dacs capable of 96 and above will be important. Until that time, there just isn't much reason to worry.


Krell does intend to support them with dac revisions that are card based, but only when a format has achieved success.


Thanks for clearing up the previous post. Hope to see you at my site or here if time permits it, so if you have any further questions I can help.


Happy listening,
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Jeff




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Kotches,


Your considerations on the Krell are really interesting. You have "highlighted" a problem common to almost all the Hi-End processors.


Which, according to you, gives greater compatibility guarantees with the future standards between Krell, Meridian,Casablanca and others?


Thanks!!


Luny

Just to clear up a few points:


1. The Meridian doesn't have a true "analog" bypass like the Theta Casablanca II.


2. The Krell HTS is the new processor that Krell intends to support and has thrown it's new development into that one. They learned several things from the AV Standard and thus are focusing on the HTS. Just like the processors from Meridian (565, etc.) it's basically a discontinued model.


3. There is no such thing as a "future proof" processor nor will there ever be. If anyone states otherwise it's time to find others to talk to or new dealership. It's the nature of the beast and while there are advantages to processors that are card based (i.e. Krell HTS, Theta Casablanca, etc.) nothing is guranteed. Usually, you can expect upgrades like 7.1 and new surround formats when they are established in the consumer base.


4. Given number 3 I always suggest buying what you can afford that is matched best with the rest of your system. Then, if a new model comes down the road you will have enjoyed that unit for the time you had it and most likely will want to upgrade then anyway.


Happy listening,


Jeff


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