2. amps-preamps
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Krell primer?

I was hoping some folks could give me a primer on Krell amps. I’m in perpetual upgrade planning mode and have seen a number of Krell amps coming through A-Gon. I thought I’d ask for opinions. It seems that the FPB and KSA lines, which I gather are at least ten years old, are relatively reasonable in price and seem well respected. Can anyone comment on their sound? How much heat do they throw? Are there any ongoing maintenance issues with the older amps? I understand Krell still services their older gear, much the way McIntosh does.

Any comments would be useful. Thanks!
grimace
sgr's avatar
sgr
689 posts
 
I use the following Krell amps with great success: 2 pair of KSA 250 & 1 pair of MDA 300s. They sound great with Signal Cable Silver Resolutions interconnects, Ultra Speaker cables & power cords. I like the KSA series better than the FPB series. I do like the EVO series. You can always count on the KSAs to bring you themusic. Now I'm using thr ARC REF 3 preamp, Legacy Helix speakers, and the PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC and transport along with the Power Plant Premeir. They do heat up the house a bit. Even if you have to rebuild the amps the KSAs are a great buy as you would have to spend lots of $$$$s to get better sound . As for the sound, very liquid, nuetral, and of course solid. I don"t think you"d regret the puchase.
gamecock
33 posts
 
Hello All. Is the KSA-250 fully balanced from input through output?

Many Thanks!
nglazer
846 posts
 
I have been using a Krell FPB 300cx in my Main System since early 2003 and have never found a reason to "upgrade," if that is even the proper word. The amp has never even had a hiccup, much less given me a problem; sounds excellent on all types of music; and is very powerful, provides deep, taut bass, is full-bodied and sweet musically; Plays well with diverse pre's and cables. The speaker terminals are the best in the biz -- big wing nuts easy to use and providing tight connections.

Does run a bit on warm side so you need to give it room on top. Only other downsides are that it,(i) provides only balanced inputs, so I have has to use adapters because my Wyetech Opal pre has only RCA outputs (Cardas and BAT make excellent ones) and (ii)has a captive PC so you cannot experiment, of course with no assurance you would do any better. I run it through an Audience AR6 conditioner and it sounds grand.

As they say in the infomercial: Set it and forget it!

Neal
mclsound
159 posts
 
Hi guys
I have a KSA freshly recapped a year ago and was using it mostly on the lows but find I could use more power.
I am looking for a FPB 600(non c)and sell/trade 250

or
can a KSA 250 be put into monoblocks(at what cost)-there is some for sale now but they have never been serviced and at $2300 plus service/change to mono,I dont know if it is worth it.Love the Krell bass though.
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