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Digital Drive: REVIEW: Krell KPS28c CD Player/Recorder by Tyke

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REVIEW: Krell KPS28c CD Player/Recorder

82.37.89.250


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Model: KPS28c
Category: CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price: £9000
Description: Integrated CD Player
Manufacturer URL: Krell
Manufacturer URL: Krell

Review by Tyke ( A ) on July 02, 2003 at 01:01:22
IP Address: 82.37.89.250
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for the KPS28c


I had been using my Meridian 598 DVD player as my CD source for some time, and decided it was time to upgrade top a dedicated CD source. I was able to audition several units in my own system, including the Levinson 390s, Wadia 861, Accuphase DP77, MF Trivista, DCS Delius and BAT VK-D5SE. Of these the Delius, Trivista and BAT were discounted early, although I still yearn for the gorgeous mid-range of the latter! I was then left pondering the relative strengths of the other three: the detail and bottom end of the ML, the smoothness of the Accuphase, or the presence and imaging of the Wadia. Seeing that I was in a dilemma, the dealer suggested that I listen to the Krell, even though it was some way out of my price range.
As someone who had previously owned a KPS20il I was intrigued enough to give it a go.
From the start it was clear that the trademark Krell bass was well in evidence. Also the presence and impact of the music was in a different league to the other players. Detail retrieval was a revelation, and the ACT 2s were beginning to show what they were capable of. The top end was sweet, with absolutely no hint of the sibilance occasionally present with the other players. Yet there was something one-dimensional and constricted about the sound-stage, and a lack of overall balance to the sound. Reverting to my Meridian 598, which has a wonderfully expansive soundstage, confirmed these problems. This was further confirmed by connecting the Delius to the Meridian transport: the sense of space and depth created by the Delius put the Krell to shame!
Befor giving up on the Krell, I decided to experiment with speaker placement, even though previously the placement had been optimal for the Meridian. I increased the distance between the speakers, and created an equilateral triangle listening position. I also reduced the toe-in to a very slight angle. Wow! What a change, Suddenly everything dropped into place, the sound was breathtaking. Playing Eric Clapton's Unplugged, the detail and soundstaging were unbelievable, and there was a real third dimension to the soundstage. This was further confirmed by Branford Marsalis's wonderful Trio Jeepy, which is a great test of soundstaging. On Keith Richard's Main Offender, the balance was there, the powerful drums no longer dominating the music, but coming over like real wood hitting real skin!
My decision made I went back to the dealer. There we listened again, this time through a Krell pre-amp, FPB700cx power amp, and Sonus Faber Cremona speakers. We both agreed that against the Wadia, Accuphase and ML players, the Krell was clearly better. One moment of truth came playing a rock track, which the dealer had selected as being a particularly poor and muddy recording. Here the ability of the Krell to resolve the music was clear, what sounded unlistenable on the other players, sounded open and dynamic on the Krell.
So the KPS28 is now in my system. Do I still miss the mid-range of the BAT..yes! But in all other regards, I am very happy.


Product Weakness: Needs good stand. Speaker adjustment.
Product Strengths: Bass, authority, detail.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: BAT VK6200
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Lexicon MC8 Analogue Bypass Mode
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Krell KPS28c
Speakers: Wilson Benesch Act 2
Cables/Interconnects: Acoustic Zen
Music Used (Genre/Selections): As per review.
Room Size (LxWxH): 6 x 4 x 3
Room Comments/Treatments: None
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Bright Star Big Rock
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Krell KPS28c CD Player/Recorder - Tyke 01:01:22 07/2/03 ( 15)