I bought the KAV 500 alongside a Krell AUdio Video reference and I can say I am rediscovering my 600 plus CD library from the begining.Yes, these babies are pricey, but after upgrading from a Lexicon DC-1 with an ADCOM GFA 7000, I feel like changing a nylon shirt for a silk one. Smooth and powerful, the KAV 500 is teh best sounding amplifier I ever heard and I heard a lot.If you are looking for a very good sounding amplifier, transparent and, dynamic take a lokk at the Krell.

I heard this amp. for a long time and it sounds better than the a250 krell.This amp has awesome dynamics and smooth highs. This is defenatly one of the
best sounding amps I ever heard. I didnt like the fact that it was only 100w
a channel although it sounded like a 200w amp. I dont like bridging 2 channels
because it takes from sound quality a little, especially when played at high
levels with good speakers . If im going to pay that kind of money I want some
POWER to it. I ended up buying the Aragon 8008bb (dual mono amp.) which
had 200w pure power and sounded just as good as the krell.Since the Aragon
was auditioned in a different place it was hard to really compare the two
amps, they both sounded great. For the MONEY$$ ide give the Krell 3 stars
but for the Sound ide give it 5 .

IF YOU GET A CHANCE CHECK OUT CINEPRO PRODUCTS THE 1K2 SE IS A MIND ALTERING AMP ITS BEEN PUT UP AGAINST AMPS COSTING TEN THOUSAND AND UP AND IT BLOWS THE PANTS CLEAN OFF THEM. 375 WATTS 28 MORTORLA OUTPUTS KIMBER SILVER WIRING RELCAPS 1.6 KILOVOLT TRANFORMER ETC VERY VERY WELL BUILT FOR A MERE PRICE OF 2500.00.GIVE THEM A CALL1-800-395-1222 ASK FOR ERIC.

I've tried 5-ch. amps from ATI, Sunfire and Classe and 2+3 McCormak.IMHO If your preferences are on 2/3 into music and on 1/3 into HT and you can find a good deal, KAV500 is THE BEST CHOICE.
Do not trust people who obviously have some issues with Krell in general - just check it out at closest dealer location.
The rest of equipment:
ML 37 transport
EAD TheaterMaster Ovation
KEF Ref.3 speakers
CSL silver interconnects
Cardas Hexalink 5c speaker cables

POWERFUL, FLEXIBLE, BUILT LIKE A TANK

NONE

I think Krell has discontinued this, but there are bargains to be had on the web where I purchased mine used. I use this for audio-only stereo, driving two very demanding sets of "bookself" speakers (Dynaudio Confidence 3s and Sonus Faber Extremas, both with 4 ohm nominal impedance). This amplifier is clean and allows accurate low frequency reproduction. If my listening area (13x18x12) were 3 times larger, this amp might not work. Fortunately, Manhattan apartments are small.

Similar Products Used:

BRYSTON

I upgraded to the KAV-500 from the Carver 705X. Immediately, I could discern a difference in the sound. The Krell was more transparent, had tighter and articulated bass and the sound was overall more substantial and detailed. I read on this cite where a Mr. B gave this a one star. He stated don't believe the Krell hype. However, if some Krell is hype, this is not the case with the KAV-500. It is still the best multi-channel amp on the market for those who want great home theater sound as well as great 2 channel or muti-channel sound for music. Mr B probably just could not afford the Krell.

Detail & soundstage

Can be shrill on high piano or string notes

There's more information in my review on the Pass Labs X-5, but the KAV-500 is a fine amplifier. It throws a big soundstage with plenty of detail. 5x100 watts may put some off in terms of its power output, but I think it is conservatively rated; it is one of the few amps that fully doubles the watts when the speaker impedance is halved. My only complaint is that in my system it sounded a tad shrill on high frequency piano and string notes. The Pass Labs X-5 did much better in that regard and won't cause listening fatigue. In my system, the same couldn't be said for the Krell. If you love detail, you should definitely give the Krell an audition, preferably in your own system.

Similar Products Used:

B&K AV-5000, ATI 1506, Pass Labs X-5

Just wanted to chime in to help get the review average back up after the idiot gave it one star. Had he kept his unjustified review to himself the KAV would have earned a much-deserved 5 stars. In my two months of listening I have to say that I am continually impressed by the way it powers my Thiels. In fact, I'm so impressed with Krell that I just ordered their Home Theater Standard preamp to match. Not to say that I bought the HTS only because of the Krell name, I actually researched preamps from many companies for two months and decided that the HTS was the best under $10K.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 3B-ST