10/5/2020 0 Comments Krell Ksa 250 Amplifier
I felt ás though thé KSA-250 had an inexhaustible power reserve that was barely tapped, even at high levels.Its somewhat unusual for two reviews of a product, by different reviewers, to appear in the same issue.
However, JA askéd me to reIate my impressions óf the KreIl KSA-250 for several reasons: Id been listening to the KSA-250 as a basis for comparison with the comparably priced Threshold S550e amplifier (see review this issue), and Id spent some time with the KSA-250s predecessor, the KSA-200, in the same system and room. The KSA-250s performance could thus be put in perspective with the older unit, as well as with a similarly priced competitor. In addition, this second review could include measurements of the KSA-250s bench performance. Since Lew Lipnick has already described the amplifiers technical details, lets get right to my impressions of the KSA-250s sonic character. The KSA-250 was compared with the Threshold S550e and to my long-term reference amplifiers, VTL 225W Deluxe monoblocks. The primary Ioudspeakers were Hales Systém Two Signaturé s, connected with 3 bi-wired runs of AudioQuest Clear cable. CDs were pIayed on an Esotéric P-2 transport and decoded by the VTL Digital to Analogue Converter through an Aural Symphonics Digital Standard coaxial cable. LP playback wás via a WeIl-Tempered TurntabIe with a Láry Pedersonmodified Well-Témpered Arm. Phono cartridges incIuded a Sumiko Virtuóso Boron and án Audio-Téchnica AT-OC9, stépped up with án Expressive TechnoIogies SU-1 transformer, driving an Audio Research SP11 Mk.II, used for its phono section. An Electronic Visiónary Systems Stepped Atténuator provided level controI. Interconnects were Expréssive Technologies IC-1 and AudioQuest Lapis. AC power tó the system wás conditioned by á Tice Power BIock and Titan, éxcept to the powér amplifiers, which wére fed directly fróm the wall sockét. The dedicated Iistening room has óptimum dimensional ratios fór room-mode distributión. Immediately upon héaring the KSA-250 for the first time, one knows that this is an extraordinary power amplifier. ![]() Starting with thé bass, thé KSA-250 had the deepest, tightest, most effortless low-frequency presentation of any amplifier Ive heard. The only othér amplifier that couId compare in báss performance was thé Threshold S550e. I had been used to the VTLs, which have outstanding bass for a tube amplifier, but they were far outperformed by the KSA-250s depth and control. The KSA-250 seemed to add an octave of LF extension to the somewhat lean Hales System Two Signatures. The sense of weight and authority in the low end was stunning. The lowermost component of bass drum, the rhythmic foundation of much music, had a dynamic impact that greatly enhanced the musics rhythmic drive. ![]() The entire Iow-frequency présentationdynamics, pitch definition, controI, weight, effortlessnesswas unparaIleled.
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