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Reviewer: Marja & Henk
Financial Interests: click here
Sources: PS Audio PWT; PS Audio PWD; Dr. Feickert Blackbird/DFA 1o5/Zu DL-103; Phasure NOS1 DAC [in for review]
Streaming sources: XXHighEnd; iTunes; Devialet AIR
Preamp/integrated/power: Tri TRV EQ3SE phonostage; Audio Note Meishu with WE 300B (or AVVT, JJ, KR Audio 300B output tubes); Yarland FV 34 CIIISA; Qables iQube V1; Devialet D-Premier; Hypex Ncore 1200 based monoblocks; KR Kronzilla SX Eco [in for review]
Speakers: Avantgarde Acoustic Duo Omega; Arcadian Audio Pnoe; Vaessen Aquarius; Crystal Cable Arabesque Mini [in for review]
Cables: complete loom of ASI LiveLine cables; full loom of Crystal Cable cables; Nanotec Golden Strada #79 nano 3; Nanotec Golden Strada #79; Nanotec Golden Strada #201
Power line conditioning: Omtec Power Controllers; PS Audio Powerplant Premier; PS Audio Humbuster III; IsoTek Syncro; Blue Horizon Noise Analyser [in for review]
Equipment racks: ASI amplifier and TT shelf
Sundry accessories: Furutech DeMag; ClearAudio Double Matrix; Nanotec Nespa #1; Exact Audio Copy software; iPod; wood, brass, ceramic and aluminum cones and pyramids; Shakti Stones; Manley Skipjack; Blue Horizon footers [in for review]
Room treatment: Acoustic System International resonators, sugar cubes, diffusers
Room size: ca 7 x 5m with a ceiling height of 3.50m, brick walls and concrete floor downstairs,
ca. 14.50 x 7.50m with a ceiling height of 3.50m, brick walls, wooden flooring upstairs.
Price of review item: €16.750
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Green audio – fad or not? "Wherever we turn, politicians, businesses and activists are promoting the latest fashionable 'green' policy or product. Green buildings, bio fuels, electric cars, compact fluorescent light bulbs and a variety of other technologies are touted as the next key step in protecting the environment and promoting a sustainable future. Increasingly however scientific and economic information regarding environmental problems takes a back seat to the social and personal value of being seen and perceived as ‘green’."
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The above comes from the flap of Todd Myers’ book Eco-fads wherein he exposes that appearing to be green is not the same as acting environmentally responsible in a non-exhibitionist fashion. Hybrid cars seem to be eco friendly but is their production? What about when something goes wrong and the thing goes up in flames? A good whiff of nickel oxide anyone? Ditto for incandescent light bulbs that should be exchanged for fluorescent ones that contain mercury. Another book worth reading is Ozzie Zehner’s Green Illusions which talks about more downsides to being ‘green’ but comes with alternatives too. So it is worth to be critical towards all green, blue, bio, natural, eco or whatever label gets stuck to a product. There is always another side to consider as well.
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In this context the question arises whether the addition of the word ‘Eco’ to the KR Audio Kronzilla SX is just another fashionable selling point or wink towards the craze. Here we are going to explore that trying to find the answer.
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Like all KR products from the Nademlejska street of Prague in the Czech Republic, the packaging is simple but very efficient. For the 50 kilo amplifier they commissioned a large wooden crate with sufficient tailor-made stuffing. The accompanying huge KR T-1610 power tubes came in their own equally protective boxes while Dutch distributor Cor Dekker from Musical Reality hand-delivered everything necessary.
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