Krell KPE Standard

Hi guys,

Any of you has heard of has any thoughts about the Krell KPE Standard phonostage?

Is it worth getting one from the US? I tend to think that a good phonostage should have valves in it, but I know a good friend that used a KPE Reference with very good results in the past. Yet, this is the standard...

Thanks a lot!
Jack

 

If you buy one direct from the USA it will be viewed as a grey import but Krell do offer you the option to take it into their approved UK service centre for it to have the power supply changed and a full service. They will also log it as an approved UK import so any servicing/repair through them in the future would not be a problem.

 

Krell UK Service Centre!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha - useless unfortunately, a worrying factor for UK Krell owners

 

I see... I think I am going to fish around for an ARC PH5 instead... thanks guys!!!

jack

 

There are much finer phono stages than the ARC, see if you can listen to graham Trickers 'seven' phono, very fine indeed, and half the price, there is alsoa dearer silver wired reference version.

 

Hi Coops, thanks for the suggestion.
Any other ideas, since I cannot find a "Seven" anywhere?

I am looking for a valve stage.
Thanks,
Jack

 

OK, but there are quite a few excellent non-valve stages out there. I won't mention any since you are not interested...

 

GT audio, (Graham Tricker hand makes them ), near Denham.

 

Jack, why does it have to be valve? You're cutting out a lot of excellent phono stages, particularly the bargain Loricraft. That's a stunning sounding stage that is as good as some stages that cost 2 or 3 times more. You can buy a lot of vinyl for that money

 

Is the London service centre no more??? When I relocated back to the UK in 2003 I had nothing but admiration for the service I received from them.

 

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the info. I may be completely wrong, but I tried a few solid state phonostages (around £800-£1000 mark, new prices) and found them quite dry sounding. Good grip and speed but not the lush or seductive sound I think vinyl deserves. I am looking for a large soundstage, organic seductive sound. Hence the valves so far being the road I am inclined to follow.

I am not religious about this, though, so Joel and others please make suggestions and prove me wrong! The Loricraft... read a few things about it... you reckon it is a match for something like an Audio Research PH5?! Or a EE Minimax even?

Thanks all!
Jack

 

Joel has tried more than me, but if you have a search on PFM you'll find Jonathan Ribees quest for a phono stage. He ended up with the Icon, but would have been happy to have had a Loricraft. Joel also has a Loricraft. It's a very flexible stage. I couldn't compare it to the AR, but I reckon it could match the EE. Doesn't that stage have a rather odd loadings for carts?
The Loricraft was convincingly more musical than the Whest, and had a similair feel to the Dynavector 75. It was perhaps a little more open, and less dark than that one. It's well worth trying to hear one. Not easy though. certainly at it's price it's an absolute bargain.

 

Graham Tricker makes the 'phonote' for noteworthy audio,it is a slightly de-tuned version of his 'seven' might be worth a listen, Keith.

 

Jack

The emporium in Diss imported Shindo and Lector valve phono stages.

He no longer does Shindo due to new legislation, but Lector are still there.

It sounded very nice on the occasions I heard it.

 

There's legislation against importing Shindo? Tell us more.

 

Not RoHS compliant perhaps?

 

Thanks Joel. Googling revealed the details:-

http://www.theanalogdept.com/visit_with_shindo.htm

 

The phonote is £1,750 and the Seven, the other side of 2 grand. But they are almost identical and measure exactly the same, according to Tricker.

Jack if you want to have a listen (in East London) to the Minimax for comparative purposes, then give me a bell. You could bring your own stage, if you wish. I've got an Era Gold (without MC transformer), too.

 

David,
Either is above my budget. If one comes up 2nd hand I will get tempted as I might just stretch to it, but until then I will keep an eye out. I wonder how they compare to the AR PH5... should be an interesting test given that new prices seem to be in the same ballpark.

If you happen to come across one of them for sale used, I would be thankful if you could let me know (if you dont want it for yourself, of course!).

The Minimax tempts me and I would welcome an audition. I will take you up on your offer at some point, thank you very much!!! At present things are a bit low on time as I have a daughter who is only six weeks old... but soon I hope I get a bit more free time!

I will keep in touch!
Cheers!
:beer:
Jack