Power Amplifier Reviews

I'm genuinely curious so please don't take this as a trolling attempt:

To the best of my knowledge an amplifier's function is to take a weak (source) signal, amplify it, and pass it on. Now, if that's the case, how on earth can one amplifier improve (or even just impact) imaging better than any other amplifier in any other way than applying more or less power?

Willie...thanks for the question. Every amplifier has its own signature sound, depending on the topology used in the electronic path. Some do it much better than others, that's for sure, but a "bad" amplifier will introduce noise and distortion into the signal that will get "amplified" with a higher output. Throw in a week power supply/transformer and you have a poor performer. If the design is done right, like this one here, you get a very clean rendition of the original signal. Does that make sense?

How can you give this unit 5 stars when it can't make its own rated spec of 200W per channel?
These honestly look more like AVR class amp benchmarks than those of a Krell.

Bootman,I don't see the benchmarks until you do. All of my evaluations are done without knowing how it measures. All I can tell you is despite it falling just short of its rated spec, the amp sounds outstanding. As for calling it an AVR class amp...I beg to differ. Try and find a local shop that can audition it for you and you'll hear what I mean.

Ok I'll admit the AVR comment is a bit harsh.
I guess I'm not used to seeing Krells measure so short on rated power.
When I hear Krell I envision KRS monoblocks driving Scintillas.
:)

Thanks for your insight David. Since you have reviewed both this and the ATI AT-6005, how would you compare the two?

Any comments from Krell why this unit can't make its rated output? Is this an isolated case for this unit? Or is it true for the whole chorus line?

I think it is disappointing that Krell thought it necessary to play the same marketing game as the AVR manufacturers, ie quoted power through 1 channel only. A company of this stature shouldn't feel the need to play such "power games".
That said, it doesn't really impact on the 7200's value for money - as such. In total, it produces around 0.94kw of pure class A. In that respect it may well be absolutely unique. The high-end AVR's produce around 1kw (of class D) after you've cut through the marketing gumf, whilst the top-rated multi-channel power amps serve up around 1.4kw of class A/B.
So it depends what you're looking for and what your priorities are. I think we'd all appreciate greater honesty, but at the end of the day power and sound quality simply don't correlate.