I used to have the Krell 50 power amp, years and years ago. I cannot remember the pre-amp. I only remember that when I changed the combo, it was because it was a little to forward and sharp for me as my audio tastes developed. However, this amp has always been known for great bass and soundstaging. Pick it up, if you can get it at a good price. I think the earlier Krells were possibly better imho than the ones I heard in the 1990s and early 2000s, when the sound signature became a little too generic and "American", and not to my taste.