Krell - KAV 300i Solid state integrated amplifier

Krell KAV 300i


This is the integrated amplifier for those who won’t accept half-measures. We have everything or nothing, always. There are no limits, nor concessions. It’s all there, clear and at any volume, without altering the tonal character or losing its edge.

Some critics found us too clinical. My suggestion is that you switch to columns that can handle this wild, dynamic, powerful machine and that can cope with any columns and cables.

The very industrial design itself, imposing, relentless in its 11 kg, reveals, exactly, what awaits us: something that only the finest power-amp and preamp ensembles can achieve. What’s on the recording is meant to appear; what the source owes is to be transmitted to the speakers. All of this without filters or contemplations. Whether you like it or not…

It has 4 line inputs, with a tape monitor output and a preamplifier output. It also has a balanced input and a handy remote control, capable of handling other equipment (CD player and even later streamers).

The KAV-300i offers a very well-balanced sound, with no obvious issues in tone or timbre. The Krell’s mids sound quite rich and, although they don’t reach the best standard of a tube amplifier, they are not shrill or aggressive, even at full volume. Overall, the mids are relatively clear, with low grain and fine texture. They aren’t as smooth or transparent as a Conrad-Johnson Premier 8, an Audio Research VT150, or a Krell KAS-2, but, in fact, very few are!
The soundstage has excellent depth with surprisingly good transparency. The natural timbre was as convincing in classical music as in rock. The focus was very good, stable across the entire dynamic range, and paired with a good soundstage width. The reproduction of subtle details and ambience was good.
As with the mids, the highs of the KAV-300i are neutral and discreet, with little evident graininess. The sound is natural, with clean vocal sibilants, while the percussion is reproduced in an open manner and without exaggeration.
In the bass, the small Krell manages to achieve a satisfactory depth with good control and above-average impact. The basses are interesting — impactful, fast and articulate. It’s pleasantly rhythmic, with a beat that makes your foot tap. Here, the smaller Krell amplifier may well outperform its larger brothers.
The dynamics are well reproduced, and together with the good rhythm and synchronization, they provide strong listener engagement. Auditory fatigue is low even after prolonged listening sessions.

I believe Krell has a winner with the KAV-300i. It may have been designed to be economical, but it’s a true Krell thoroughbred, capable of far surpassing expectations for its price range. One of its main attractions is the ability to deliver more than 200 W per channel into an 8-ohm speaker and 300 W into 4-ohm, “softer” speakers.
Also keep in mind the preamplifier's output terminals — if the '300i is an integrated amplifier with excellent sound, it should also be a preamplifier with very good sound!


Technical specifications
Output power: 150 watts per channel at 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 1 Hz to 100 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.3%
Signal-to-noise ratio: 95 dB (line)
Dimensions: 475 x 387.5 x 92.5 mm (width x depth x height)
Weight: 11.4 kg
Accessories: remote control
Yes: 2000

If you want to experience the REAL Krell sound at an affordable price, the KAV 300i may well satisfy your needs.

If you prefer visceral impact to subtle nuances, if you need a reliable, robust, and powerful amplifier, with first-class sound in terms of overall dynamics and bass quality, well, if you need all of that... you need a KAV 300i in your system... and don’t forget to fasten your seat belts...