Krell KMA-1800 - MONOBLOCK POWER AMPLIFIER
Stereophile|March 2024
Ever since I raved about Krell's K-300i integrated amplifier after it was released in early 2019,¹ I've wanted to review other Krell products. After spending more than a year and a half (since its prerelease announcement) awaiting the opportunity to review Krell's new flagship mono power amplifier, the KMA-1800 ($73,000/pair), the time has come.
JASON VICTOR SERINUS
Krell KMA-1800 - MONOBLOCK POWER AMPLIFIER

Both Krell models utilize the company's proprietary iBias technology, albeit in different iterations, and both were designed by longtime Krell engineer Dave Goodman.² In the conclusion to my K-300i review, I wrote, "The Krell ... has the smoothest, most listenable, and most all-of-onepiece sonics of [any] integrated I've reviewed.... There's a round edge to its images that some might equate with the gentlest sprinkling of warmth, but others would describe as listener friendly. It certainly leaves me smiling." I thought it so excellent, and such a good buy for a Roonready streaming integrated with an optional onboard PCM/DSD/ MQA DAC, that I urged a friend to buy one. More than three years later, he's still smiling.

Would Krell's new, far more powerful class-A monoblocks inspire the same excitement? As much as asking the question may sound like the first installment in a made-for-TV soap series, finding out made all the work I did carting these beasts around more than worth it.

Design and engineering

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM STEREOPHILEView all
My last Far East trip
Stereophile

My last Far East trip

First comes the anticipation, that initial jet of warm water, that miraculous searching, finding the sweet spot, then heaven on earth as it cleans and caresses.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Riding the Common Wave
Stereophile

Riding the Common Wave

In the e-commerce era, brick-and-mortar dealerships must give customers compelling reasons to stop by. Los Angeles hi-fi dealership Common Wave's owner Wesley Katzir keeps customers coming through the door with a simple idea: that music matters in our everyday lives and that what he enjoys, other people will enjoy, too.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Mind Games to the bottom of the rabbit hole
Stereophile

Mind Games to the bottom of the rabbit hole

After a wild decade in the biggest pop music group ever, John Lennon's post-Beatles years were spent in protest, in various kinds of therapy, in immigration court, and in search of a new musical identity.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Trane meets the Motor City
Stereophile

Trane meets the Motor City

Detroit became a destination for migrating African Americans early, starting with the Underground Railroad; the city's proximity to Canada was convenient for those seeking to escape Southern slavery.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Vital art never rests
Stereophile

Vital art never rests

At this late date, it seems impossible that there could still be \"lost\" albums lingering in the vaults by musicians as important and successful as Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
DUKE IN 10
Stereophile

DUKE IN 10

TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DUKE'S DEATH, ROBERT BAIRD SELECTS A DOUBLE HANDFUL OF EXEMPLARY TRACKS FROM PERHAPS AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSICAL GENIUS.

time-read
10 mins  |
September 2024
Piega Coax Gen2 811
Stereophile

Piega Coax Gen2 811

It's funny how we discover some music in unexpected, twisting ways.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
Pass Laboratories XP-27
Stereophile

Pass Laboratories XP-27

One of the pleasures of reviewing-and also using-products from Pass Laboratories is an encounter with Nelson Pass's writing, which can usually be found in the owner's manual and is always competent, insightful, and sometimes funny.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
EMT 928 II
Stereophile

EMT 928 II

Modern turntables are a paradox.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
Dynaudio Contour 30i
Stereophile

Dynaudio Contour 30i

Ah, Denmark. Land of the Vikings and blue-eyed, blond-haired folk with faces sculpted just so.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024