immense detail retrieval, huge three-dimensional soundstage, neutrality, deep bass & extended treble

plastic remote

I've reviewed this model 2 years ago, but since that time my system has been considerably upgraded. And so has my appreciation of the 300cd. In my earlier assessment I commented on the supposed strident character of the Krell's treble, suggesting that perhaps the limitations of my system (or my ears) prevented me from experiencing this.

The resolution of my system has greatly increased with the upgrade from the Krell 300i to a Krell KRC-3 / FPB 200 combo and the purchase of a pair of Magnepan MG 3.3/R's. The Maggie's ribbon tweeters are well known by their treble energy and extension, so if the 300cd is as strenuous as some detractors claim, it would be reveiled in all its nastiness, wouldn't it?
Not.
The only thing that is being reveiled more than before is its sweet, extended treble. As well as all the others strengths that the 300cd has in abundance. I still do not feel that the 300cd is lagging behind the system in any way.

As the model has been discontinued and can be picked up at $2500 or less, I would like to repeat my enthousiastic recommendation for this player.
If you're looking for a player in this price range and the rest of your system is up to scratch, don't even hesitate.

Sound, Detail, Bass

Price

I'm a custom home theater system builder/installer and passionate about building my own A/V system. I have had several CD players in my system. And several of them were surprisingly poor. The KAV 300 CD so far, is the best player I have had in my system. Finally a player that has the right balance of high-end detail with out being harsh. Several of the other players were either harsh on the high-end or so rolled-off, that they were to lush sounding, with loss of detail as the result. The sound is very enjoyable. No listener fatigue even after hours of playing it. I hear subtle details on some of my CD's that I haven't heard or noticed before. The transport is quiet. I could hear the Arcam CD/DVD running from accross the room. Very annoying! I can read the display pretty well from 10 ft away, still could be a little larger. The bass is very smooth and deep. The best so far! I will be keeping this player for a while.

The Harmon Kardon DVD 5 was the runner up with all the players I tried in my system. Not bad for an all in one box DVD/CD player. I still think you get better sound from a dedicated CD player as opposed to the DVD/CD combo's.

Then there is the awesome Krell build quality! I took the top off for a look see. Full disc clamp and a full size CD platter for the CD to rest in. The power supply is the heaviest duty one, I have seen in a CD player.

I did not get to try the Mark Levinson 39 player in my system. What I heard in the store was great. I'm sure it was as good, maybe even a slight improvement if placed in my system. On the used market the Krell was a much better value. Plus, I like the way the Krell looks. The remote is a little on the cheap side.

I don't understand the comments about the player being unlistenable or bright. I have a forward sounding preamp, neutral power amplifier and speakers with a slight upward tilt in the frequency response above 15Khz. This system will throw a CD player's short commings square in your face. The KAV 300 just plays beautiful music. No perceptable harshness at all, unless it is in the recording.

Associated equipment:

Kinergetics Research Chiro C802 Pre/Pro
Parasound HCA-3500, 2003 amplifiers
Art of Sound Symphony line array towers
Art of Sound star quad interconnects
Art of Sound powered 15" isobaric end table subs

Similar Products Used:

Arcam, Harmon Kardon, California Audio Labs, Resolution Audio, Krell KAV 250 CD, Mark Levinson

Built like a tank. Nice looking front panel.

SOUND! That annoying violet power light.

My ears bled - figuratively. Listening to this player was the most UNCOMFORTABLE and fatiguing experience I've had in a long time. I auditioned a used piece in very good condition. Amp was a BAT VK-500 and pre-amp was a BAT VK-60. Speakers were Egglestone Works. The store was offering a huge discount on the piece ($1,795) so I gave it a whirl.

BIG MISTAKE! The sound was up front and in my face. The Krell almost yelled at me as I sat there squirming in my seat. Top end was grainy, mids were harsh, and bass was controlled but unimpressive. I walked out of the store, happy in the knowledge that the Krell would not be part of my rig.

I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this CD player. I'd give it 0 stars if I could, but build quality counts for something.

Similar Products Used:

Too many to name.

Very good bass

Vocals set back a little

After reading the numerous good and more bad reviews as a owner and audiophile i want to add my two cents about my experiences with high end players. I bought the krell based on the name and size of the player, had to fit a certain shelf. I was in the middle of assembling the rest of the system so i thought the krell would be a good middle of the road player.After assembling a system around a pair of b & W 802's, and audio research pre-amp and tube Amp, I was allowed to borrow some other cd players to make sure i made the right choice.I have auditioned the BAT tube player and it was to lush over the long run to me and i missed the krell bass. I tried comparing not in my home but in a system at the store against the audio research cd2 and even though iam a huge audio research person, I really value construction and operation and the audio research doesnt have the quality of feal that i really value and the sonics is just different not neccesilly better. They both have there strong points and weak points.The rega planet was compared for fun and it was no contest. The only player that i liked better was the levison 39. And again it was really just a different type of sound. But the levison did seam to flush out a little more emotion. But again the krell won on bass and slam and energy. I also agree with Ian,s coments. But to me the difference in price does not justify the switch, and to tell you the truth i missed the krell when the levison was in. I like Wadia products alot but couldnt fit it in my shelve. Nice build quality too. And Sonic Frontiers, You got to be kidding. Even my dealer sayed stay away. So theres my two cents. The only other comment i wanted to adress was the excessive brightness some people mentioned. I dont have a clue where they hear this. The krell is no brighter then any of the other players i had at home. But i think it can be cable sensitive. I only use Transparent. Great cables. And i recommend using a good power cord. Isolation feat or platforns help any player also. So thats my experience. I think that anybody that has the krell made a good choice in sound quality and money. Sure you can do better with alot more money but is it worth it because i dont think any of these will be around for the new format. Any comments or opions feal free to e- mail me at Meitner2@aol.com

I have to disagree with Steve regarding the 300 CD's build quality. It uses a very expensive Teac transport designed to eliminate vibration. Levinson and Wadia use versions of this transport in their players.
Unfortunately for Krell the 300 CD sounds pretty much the way Steve describes. Mids are flat, no warmth, highs are rediculously harsh, lows are powerful, but lacks rhythym and detail. Sonically this Krell is not even remotely close to being high end; and is even outperformed by many Japanese mid fi players. Krell should be ashamed of themselves for using their name to sell such a mediocre product at such a high price.

Took one home to demo on my own equiptment (Krell KRC-HR,Krell 200FPB,B&W 800's w Purist cables) and had to take it back after about two weeks. At first I loved the detail and the bass this player provided,but after about 30 minutes I had to turn down the volume. The sound was too bright for me in the treble & the music seemed to have a mechanical sound to it. This was a demo unit I was going to purchase for $2500 and I passed on the deal, they were $3500 at the time. Now they are $4200 for the same player (why?) I think you can find alot better of a player for that price range, which is to bad because I am a Krell fan.

Well constructed. Revealing sound. Balanced and Unbalanced
Outputs. Great HDCD decoder. A second hand bargain.

None that I can tell

Stop your making my ears bleed! STERILE and ELECTRONIC SOUNDING!

The best thing I can say is turn it off,sell it and buy one of the products I've listed above,as they all sound like MUSIC,REAL LIVE MUSIC! Not processed sound like this unit.

Similar Products Used:

Wadia,Bel Canto DAC1,Cary Audio,Meridian

Build quality; transparency; excellent with HDCD discs;

Can be too revealing on poor discs; crappy plastic remote;

I am using mine with a Krell pre-amp, Krell power amp and Sonus Faber Electa Amator II. The 300cd sits on a Townshend Seismic Sink.

The sound I got from this is truly gob-smacking. Wide soundstage, tight deep base and huge amounts of detail. It is a truly revealing player and I think that is the reason why a number of reviewers have found made negative comments. I don't find it bright just true to the recording (isn't that what "high fidelity" means

Over time I have moved to using balanced outputs (Kimber KS1120) and increased the number of HDCD recodings I own. Both these steps have have shown vast and measurable improvements too. I defy anyone to tell me that Patricia Baber's "Cafe Blue" (HDCD recording) lacks warmth on this system.

Build quality is second to none. Krell offers a 5 year guarantee. The re-assuring Krell rigidity and solidity is plain to see...except for the crappy Taiwan made plastic remote control (come on Krell!!).

In an era where there is a degree of uncertainty about the future role of CD (DVD-A, SACD etc.), this is one hell of a front source (especially if you can pick up second had one like me).


Finally, I would recemmend that AudioReview deletes all the reviews below where reviewers make wild assertions without any support or justification. Too many give not even an indication of when, how long or with what equipment the 300cd was heard. This is useless for those looking for an informed opinion and is obviously intended to distort the
ratings.

Similar Products Used:

Meridian; BAT; Musical Fidelity;