transparency, neutrality, dynamics, timbral accuracy, remote

that blinding blue power light

Dave's ratings below are so low, it suggests either a hidden agenda or seriously deficient mental capacity and/or ears. This preamp leads the high-end pack in sonic value and build quality. The remote is absolutely killer (and it runs my Lambda CD drive too). If you are lucky enough to find a fresh one on the used market as I was, BUY IT! The sonic differences between this unit and the cost-no-object hardware is microscopic at best. Spend the money you save on better speakers and/or a bunch of high-quality CD's. This is one fine piece of gear. The Krell service folks are great too. Enjoy and ignore the Prozac-types like Dave.

The comments above are based upon the KRC-3's performance with the following components...

Bryston 7B amps
Levinson no. 36 DAC
PS Audio Lambda CD drive
Dunlavy SC4-A loudspeakers
Audio Truth Emerald balanced interconnects
Audio Truth Forest DBW speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

Aragon 24K

The Krell KRC-3 Preamplifier is the budget minded Krell preamp at $2950.00 US retail and although the price is small the performance isanything but small.
This is one of the most seductive preamps on the market. It is almost the match of the highly regarded KRC-HR, the KRC betters the
KRC-3 only in the bass. The KRC-3 is no slouch in the bass, it is tight and well defined, just not good as the KRC. Very neutral, dynamic
are well served, and transparency is outstanding. The KRC-3 is an ergonomic joy, few competing units even come close to the KRC-3
when it comes to day to day use.
Considering cost I rate this unit with 5 stars.
On an ultimate scale I rate the KRC-3 with 4 stars

I did a blind test between the KRC-3 and KRC-HR at a dealer. My intention was to get the HR, but after the demostration, I found the sound improvement on the HR to be minor. It has a slightly more define soundstage. The KRC-3 gives 90% of the performance from the HR. The dealer also recommended the KRC-3 and ends up getting the KRC 3.

Have had KRC-3 for 18 mos. Very satisfied. Don't really know the right words to describe a Pre-Amp. It just facilitates the real listening , I guess.
Also have Krell FPB-200, Levinson #39 CD, Tara Labs MG2 cables, Audio Physic Virgos.

The 39 cd player sounds better thru the KRC-3 than thru the amp direct. That much I do know. The KRC blew away the Krell 250p and 300i.

I've compared the KRC-3 to the KRC-HR and found only a small difference in the bass reproduction. It is definitely a worthy product considering its performance versus its price since the KRC-HR is twice the price and one gets 95% of its performance.
I have listened to various other preamps such as Audio Alchemy and Bryston but found this to have the best performance for the price.

I would definitely give this product 5 speakers rating.

This is an excellent preamp. Build quality is first rate...as expectedfrom Krell. Dead silent, trouble-free and bullet-proof! Sonically, it is
transparant, v. dynamic and smooth as silk...no treble grain or harshness.A
AB'd it to a SF Line 2 and Classe CP-60. The SF was harsh and lacking in
dynamics. The Classe was a bit smoother, but the Krell beat it out. The
bass was slightly better and soundstage was bit more focused. Build quality
seemed better and hey it was cheaper. Also, it was a better mate to my amp.

Assoc equip: Aerial 10Ts, Krell KSA-150, Theta Data 2 & Gen 5a, MIT cables.