Krell Home Theater Standard AV Preamplifier and Processor

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While the video capabilities of this piece are outdated, the Krell Home Theater Standard is still an an amazing two channel preamp and better than just about any new preamp you can buy for this price.

A quick look inside shows that no shortcuts were taken, as witnessed by its $6000 MSRP.

Just look at our photos to see the complement of balanced XLR + RCA inputs and outputs! Just about everything you could want in a preamp.

It even has a very capable DAC built in - likely better than the one in your CD player. 

It also has a "stereo" button that instantly turns this unit into a high-quality two channel preamp, bypassing all the unnecessary bits.

It's housed in a super well built all-aluminum chassis with a brightly lit green fluorescent vacuum style display.

Fully tested in our lab and working as it should.

Specifications
Analog inputs:
1 pair balanced XLR, 5 pairs single-ended RCA

Digital inputs:
2 TosLink, 6 coaxial

Video inputs:
2 component, 4 composite RCA, 4 S-video

Analog tape loop:
1 pair in

Analog outputs:
6 balanced (XLR), 6 single-ended (RCA), 1 - multichannel (db-25)

Digital outputs:
1 TosLink, 1 coaxial

Video outputs:
component, 2 composite (RCA), 2 S-video

Zone 2:
1 pair analog single-ended (RCA)

Analog tape loop:
1 pair out

Signal/noise:
93dB, A-weighted

THD:
-88dB, 20Hz-20kHz

Dimensions:
17.25" x 5.65" x 16.45" (WxHxD)

Weight:
19.25 lbs

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Coaxial Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Optical Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Good

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - 14AWG (Gauge) Power Cords - Best

The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCB’s for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope. We then switch to a 1KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment. Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected. If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.