mohler@druxu.UUCP (MohlerDS) (07/29/85)
First, yes there is at least one preamp available at less than 1500.00 that equals the performance of some of the most costly units, more on this later in the posting. Second over this past week-end I had an oportunity to listen to the Krell PAM-3 again under more controlled listening situations and found the following. It is a very good unit but I found that transients and details are not as accurate as say a Spectral DMC-10 Gamma or the top Mark Levinson Preamps ML-7A, ML-6A. If you like slightly "laid-back" sound this is an excellent unit. I believe that the gain modules are slower and the design rolls off the high end just slightly compared to the most accurate preamps. So I must alter my previous statement that the Krell PAM-3 is the best sounding - most accurate preamp I have heard. Under the listening situation I last heard the Krell, it was the best I had heard. Now under better listening conditions with cloely controlled levels and loading, the Krell preamp is excellent but the Spectral, the Levinson and a couple other units came out as more detailed, more dynamic and imaged better. A note to those that suggested I look at the Klyne, the Robertson, and a small tube company's preamp ( A company on the west cost that I don't have the name handy for). I am in the process of trying to test or re-test some of these units. If I can borrow them I will report on what I find. I have not heard the Robertson or the tube unit yet. I have heard the Klyne and it is excellent, but I will reserve my comments until I can test it under the same conditions that changed my opinion of the Krell unit. In continued testing, all this is double blind, the Threshold FET2/II outperformed the Krell and may even equal the Spectral and Levinson and other top preamps. The Spectral DMC-5 didn't quite equal the performance of the Threshold. The Krell PAM-5 appears to sound similar to the type of sound that the Krell PAM-1 and PAM-3 have only not quite as good. To those that have listened to older Threshold equipment and did not like it, they have improved alot! Listen to them, if you like detailed, clean, dynamic sound this is a bargain compared to the units that are in the same league with it. To those that own a FET2/I or a FET1/I, Threshold offers an update to the new model (for a FEE!). The improvement in sound is not subtle! In double blind listening, one listener picked the Threshold over the Krell 100% of the time with CD's and records as input over a four hour listening session! The Bryston preamps and the ARC preamp that I recommend under 1000.00 do not quite match the Threshold FET2/II. I will post more details on preamps as I continue to test them. Anyone who owns the Krell or is thinking of buying one, it is an excellent unit, and depending on your listening preferences you may still prefer it. However if you like the ultimate in accuracy and detail try listening to the Spectral DMC-10 Gamma you might like it as well or better. David S. Mohler AT&T - ISL @ Denver drune!mohler or druxu!mohler