Krell safety recall (at least my Crowns never burned me!)

[BMWCCA]

For those of you who own such esoteric hardware:

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2009
Release # 09-312

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 436-6055
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Amplifiers Recalled by Krell Industries Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of
the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Amplifiers

Units: About 2,300

Distributor: Krell Industries LLC, of Orange, Conn.

Hazard: The amplifiers were designed to operate at a temperature warm to the
touch. However, a component input device can fail and cause the amplifiers
to overheat, posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Krell has received 50 reports of the amplifiers
overheating including reports of smoke and electrical fire. No injuries have
been reported.

Description: This recall involves Krell power amplifiers with model numbers
KAV-250a, KAV-250a/3, KAV-500i and KAV-1500. The amplifiers are used to
provide power to a loudspeaker in a home audio playback system. The Krell
logo is printed on the front of the amplifier.

Sold by: Authorized dealers and distributors of audio equipment nationwide
from January 1997 through February 2001 for between $3,000 and $8,000.

Manufactured in: USA

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the amplifiers, and contact
Krell to schedule the free installation of replacement fuses.

Consumer Contact: For additional information contact Krell at (888) 436-6055
between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's
Web site at www.krellonline.com. Consumers can also email the firm at
[email protected]

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled
product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09312.html

[robertbartsch]

Yikes! ...the new [more expensive] Blaze Linear?

[Ducatista47]

If my opinion matters, Krell is one of the rather overpriced brands. It would not be so bad if they delivered the goods, but a big-heavy-expensive power amp should do more than good bass. Their reputation amongst listeners who have not paid for one? They sound ordinary, nothing to write home about, in the rest of the audio band. Give them credit, they could have asked $30000 like quite a few do.

It never changes. High power compromises quality no matter what the price. At least the amps designed for Sound reinforcement admit what they are. Would you buy an $8000 Crown?

When will people with money stop buying on the basis of hype, dubious reviews supported by advertising, and looks? It is no surprise that the engineering had some amateur elements to it.

Clark

[1audiohack]

I will weigh in if and when I have created anything equal or better.

Not to be discouraged, I am already much better at starting fires!

[jerry_rig]

I will weigh in here since I have touted the virtues of Krell in the past. I have owned many power amplifiers over the years and nothing comes close to the Krells. Well, maybe Threshold and the Pass Labs units. These are all Class A designs which run at full throttle, even at idle (though the latter models use various tricks to manage power consumption).

My first Krell, bought in 1986, was a KSA-100, their first model (100w x 2). It ran rather warm and had two fans to keep things under control. It replaced a Hafler 500 (250w x 2) powering my Snell Type A-iii speakers and totally shamed the Hafler in all respects. When I moved to NY two years later, the Krell acted up. I sent it to the factory and they refurbished it to new specs -- for free.

Six years ago, I purchased used (at less than one third the new price) a KSA-300s (300w x 2), now being employed powering the 2235H bass drivers of my custom 4-way setup. This amp has no fans and runs very cool. It is hard to describe the impact the amp is capable of delivering. A friend described the impression it makes as though you are listening to a source from an infinitely deep well.

If you can find a good Krell stereo power amp used, particularly one rated over 200 watts, my advice would be to jump on it.

[Ducatista47]

OK, I said if my opinion matters and of course it shouldn't. But I did say the Krell delivers bass, no argument.

The mids and highs, everything I listen to at home does much better. A big, powerful solid state amp is not the tool for the job. It can't compete there. I am glad you enjoy your Krells, they are not bad amps. Too bad they cost so much, but I could say the same thing about PassLabs.

Clark

[BMWCCA]

Six years ago, I purchased used (at less than one third the new price) a KSA-300s (300w x 2), now being employed powering the 2235H bass drivers of my custom 4-way setup. This amp has no fans and runs very cool. It is hard to describe the impact the amp is capable of delivering. A friend described the impression it makes as though you are listening to a source from an infinitely deep well.

I'd like to hear that for myself!

Oh and, by the way, I'll be in the Hudson Valley next Saturday—a week from tomorrow.