Krell: No More
I am writing this as a warning about Krell Audio. Let me explain:
Nearly 15 years ago, when Madrigal was bought over, I switched to Krell for my “Blu-Ray” and Dolby upgrades. I got the Krell 707 processor, Cypher SACD player, their Phono preamp, their 5 channel amp (for my rears and backs) and three amps for the front.
For the first few years they were great. The two channel sound was terrific along with the surround.
Without getting into details, Krell’s owner left about a decade ago, leaving his newly divorced wife, who knew little about the business, and Asian investors in charge of the company.
Simply, my 707, over the last four years, has gone back to shop 7 or 8 times to be repaired and “updated.” The updating, to 4k and new Dolby DTS NEVER worked. The 4k update simply was an outsourced switcher and I got either the picture or sound from my 4k sources but never both. (Panasonic 4k player, Roku, apple, and Amazon.) But it began to sound funny and I returned it for that and it came back not working at all. So it went back and forth until they said it was working. In fact they insisted it was all perfect. Just not true.
I thought it was working. I wanted to raise the treble and could not figure out how. The head tech at Krell said to me, “No one here know how to use the 707 anymore.” He told me virtually all the techs had left. That they were mostly now a repair place. He also said Krell no longer makes their own parts or equipment, they will come from Asia. That includes their 4k Processor which he said will be out in two years.
Well, I traded it all in for my new stuff and discovered that the Krell was not fixed. The dealer now has to pay hundreds of dollars for Krell to fix the 707. Krell is not honoring my “warranty” on what I paid to fix it. (my new dealer and I have worked this out.)
The Cypher CD player was also shot. I thought it was just the 707. The dealer wrote me today: Krell didn’t want to do an estimate on the Cipher because the parts are no longer made. It looks like it can’t be repaired. I guess that is why Krell got out of the CD player business.”
The Phono pre amp went back, twice to be fixed. And so did my 5 channel amp, but they said they may not have the parts for it. (They did).
Don’t feel bad for me, this ordeal is over. I love my new stuff, which not only sounds better then Krell, it sounds terrific and it is so much easier to use. I am not just happy, I am relieved.
So avoid old or new Krell, they no longer have factory parts for their old or new parts. I don’t think they have released a new model in years.
This site, especially David and Tracy, helped me decide on my new stuff and to get passed Krell. You have my gratitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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