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Condition is unknown, so US$1,495 reads as a fair-to-good ask rather than a slam-dunk bargain. For the original KSA-50, that’s below the inflation-adjusted feel of its US$1,800 1983 launch price and well under the later KSA-50S’s US$3,300 MSRP, with comparable vintage examples commonly clustering around the mid-US$1,000s to about US$2,000 depending on service and cosmetics.
What makes it worth a look is the Krell house sound: serious Class A current delivery, big-amp grip, and a reputation for driving difficult speakers far beyond the modest 50 Wpc rating. At this price, the upside is strongest if it’s fully working, recently serviced, and comes with clean cosmetics; the main buyer concern is age-related service history, since these heavy Krells are rewarding but not cheap to sort if they’ve been sitting.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Krell Industries, founded in 1980 in the United States by Dan D'Agostino and his wife Rondi, emerged from a passion for pushing audio engineering boundaries. Based initially in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and later settling in nearby Orange, the brand drew its name from the advanced alien race in the 1956 film Forbidden Planet, symbolizing limitless technological power. The company's debut at the 1981 Consumer Electronics Show with the KSA-100, a high-power Class A amplifier, sparked immediate demand and established Krell as a force in American hi-fi innovation.
Krell specializes in high-end amplification, with its power amplifiers—epitomized by flagships like the Master Reference Amplifier—earning legendary status for their raw dynamics and precision. The lineup extends to preamplifiers, surround sound processors, digital-to-analog converters, CD and Super Audio CD players, loudspeakers, and subwoofers, all engineered for uncompromised performance in music and home theater systems.
Positioned firmly at the pinnacle of the high-end audio market, Krell commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its cutting-edge circuitry, massive power supplies, and relentless pursuit of sonic excellence. A top-tier brand alongside legends like Levinson and Threshold, it appeals to buyers seeking reference-level gear that defines the genre, even amid recent ownership transitions following Rondi's passing in 2024.
See all Krell listings on RADAR.
