HERE’S a pleasant surprise. Thirty-one years after the Krell KSA-50 power amp took the hi-fi world by storm, Krell Industries – now under a different management – has decided to reissue a faithful recreation of the amp that is on many reviewers’ list of all-time greats.
The KSA-50 was Krell’s first-ever product, rated to deliver 50 powerful watts into eight-ohm loads and apparently stable down to one ohm – legend has it that the amp could almost drive life-sapping Apogee ribbons of the time without going up in smoke.
Did you know that the legend about being able to fry an egg on top of an amp owes its origin to the KSA-50? Air-conditioned rooms were recommended.
A spokesman from Krell, who did not want to be named, said: “Well, we thought it was about time to remind the world of the Krell legacy and why amplifiers are the way they are now. There’s been too much talk of refinement and poise – Krell is about butt-crunching power and tummy-socking bass.
“This revisiting of the Krell legacy will serve to remind our competitors why they’re here, to start with. While the KSA-50 is THE amp of the 1980s, it remains hugely relevant to this day.
“Now, a new generation of audiophiles can experience it, if they have enough money to afford one, that is. The run is limited to 50 units, in line with its name.”
Simply unbelievable, no?
Bet you also just realised it is April 1… gotcha, folks!!!
* The photo belongs to Stereophile.
