What Hi-Fi? Verdict
A hugely capable preamplifier that has the ability to dig deeply into any recording
Pros
- +
Detail resolution
- +
wide-ranging dynamics
- +
low noise floor
- +
convincing tonal balance
Cons
- -
It values analysis over ultimate musical engagement
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Krell has been a major player in high-end amplification for decades. Through the ’80s and ’90s it dominated the market with its hugely muscular power amplifiers and no-nonsense brand of over-engineering.
The company’s pre-eminence may have waned slightly in recent years as a result of some tough competition, but with products such as the brand-new Phantom II preamplifier and the mighty Evolution 402e stereo power amplifier it remains true to its traditions.
The preamplifier is a simplified version of the original Phantom, which remains the company’s current range-topper. The most obvious difference between the two, apart from the £5000 price difference, is that the new model is a single-chassis product, while the more expensive box takes an even more purist approach and houses its power supply circuit outboard.
Take a look inside, and you’ll find the Phantom II has essentially the same audio circuitry as its big brother. That means it is a dual-mono design, which aids stereo imaging, and features such technical niceties as a precision-resistor-ladder volume-control, which promises greater transparency than traditional volume potentiometers.
The Phantom II’s connectivity is good. There’s a plentiful provision of balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs. The front panel display is clear, but quite old-fashioned in appearance, as is the chunky, metal-cased remote control handset. It’s quaint to see a button for DVD on this system’s remote too.
Krell Phantom II: Performance
Its resolution, wide and stable sound staging and tonal evenness are much appreciated, but what it lacks is just a hint of magic.
Compared with the likes of Burmester’s 077, the line stage of Aesthetix’s Io or even the similarly priced Audio Research Ref 5, there’s just a touch of tangibility and low-level expressiveness missing.
For all its considerable strengths the Phantom II remains admirable rather than essential.
