cantabile

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $2900.00 from Hong Kong

Summary:
The sound is full, warm and clear, without edgy transients. It tends to be strong and beefy rather than mellow.
I
The KRC-3 has very low noise.

Strengths:
The sound through the balanced input has better extension, but the RCA inputs give a more coherent focus and a more proportional picture. In general vocal music sounds more accurate through the RCA, while orchestral music has better dynamics and more authority through the XLR.

The KRC-3 demonstrates that a pre-amp is a necessary rather than an optional piece of equipment. I have tried connecting the CD player (with a healthy output voltage) directly to the power amp -- the sound lacks energy. Putting the KRC-3 back in the chain gives a more lively sound, even though the low volume I choose seldom calls for more than unity gain.

Weaknesses:
I have no complaint in terms of sound quality, but I do have some comments on the feature set.

It's got only one XLR input, which may prove insufficient if you have more than one source component with XLR output.

Sometimes I wish it had a headphone out.

I bought it full aware than it's a line-preamp. The lack of a phono stage is of course a purchase decision rather than a weakness per se, but with the revival of vinyl I wish it had a phono.

Similar Products Used:
I tried a lower model of Krell (KAV series). The KRC-3 is far superior.

Price Paid:  $2100.00 from Soundex, Willow Grov

Summary:
The KRC-3 replaced an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A in my system which consists of: Arcam CD23T CD player Mark Levinson 331 power amp Wilson Audio Watt 3 Puppy 2 loudspeakers Transparent MusicLink Super XL interconnect from CD to preamp, MusicLink Super XLR from preamp to amp. Transparent MusicWave Super XL speaker cables Virtual Dynamics, Transparent & Cardas powercables I mostly listen to classical music and orchestra and chamber form, plus some light jazz with female vocals. My reference is live classical music as heard in a concert hall from 11th roll center, no more no less. The Krell presented much more detail than the M3A together with much better resolution especially when using the balanced XLR connection to the power amp. The tube coloration and midrange range "over warmth" was gone, leaving a presentation that is more dynamic, airy, lively, and more real. Tonal balance was more correct. Extension at both frequency extremes far exceeded that of the M3A while delivering smooth highs and taut bottom. Harmonic integrity and timbre also bettered the M3A. It is just so musical. The accurate volume control with remote and a balance function enhanced the functionality.

Strengths:
Resolution, detail, harmonic structure, musicality.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom GFP-750, BAT VK-20, Rowland Coherence 1, Audible Illusions Modulus 3A.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The review is for KRC2, not KRC3. When I bought the KRC2, I've thought it's on the bright side. Somewhat edgy and harsh. I have used it with Spectral DNA180 (which compounded the harshness) and also ML #331. In both cases, the sound tended on the bright side... The speakers are Thile 2.3. The cables are AQ Sterling and Diamnond. So you can imagine the sound of my system... But! I have been mistaken. The DAC that I used was PS Audio Ultralinear 2 with HDCD, but when I replaced it with a recent purchase, the Sony SCD-1, the sound balance changed dramatically! It is no longer bright and edgy. The sound is now well-balanced. Comparatively softened up and extended is the high frequency. The vocal also stands out and has vibrancy. The bass is also tremendously extended and blooms well. The sound is pleasing and life-like. I have always assume that the brightness comes from my speaker, wires, and most of all my preamp. A lot of people said KRC2 sounded bright, but I now think it is the transparent nature of the preamp that allows all the harshness of its upper stream to show through fully. I don't know how else to explain the difference. There's only one gear in my audio chain that is replaced which is the CD portion. So I now think that you must feed KRC2 with equally high-end stuff or else any harshness in the mid-fi digital front-end will simply show through!

Strengths:
Transparency

Weaknesses:
Transparency again because it passes through any fault on the digital front end.

Price Paid:  $3200.00 from Krell Dealer

Summary:
I have used this preamp now for many years and it has not once come to mind for me to replace it. Unlike previous Krell preamps--the KRC 3 has a full bodied balanced sound.

Strengths:
Solid build quality--balanced in and out--solid remote control

Weaknesses:
runs a tad hot--make sure that it is not placed in an enclosed audio case

Similar Products Used:
Maranta p85; Carver c2; Carver 400; MCINTOSH C39

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from HIFI Exchange

Summary:
The initial review of this Krell KRC-3 is basically positive, however; with some tweaking this pre-amp can run with the big dogs. Pure Krell, excellent build quality, easy to use remote, even in the dark. The tweaks I would surely recommend to raise this pre-amp to reference status are as follows: Bright Star air mass base with Harmonix isolation pucks between the preamp and base, and last but not least a Cobra Powersnake power cord into a PS Audio ultimate high current outlet. The tweaks transforms this preamp from good to world class. Associated equipment, Krell KSA-150, Levinson #35 dac, CEC 1X transport, Sony SACD player, digital lens and Taddeo Antidote ll for the Sacd. Cardas Golden Ref and Hovland G3 interconnects.

Strengths:
Strong tight base, tubey midrange and very smooth highs. Build quality pure Krell.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Simaudio P-5, Levinson 38S Audio Eclusiv P-2