2. amps-preamps
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Thoughts on Krell FPB series? 600 in particular.

Or the 300 as well.
Will be using it to power a pair of Thiel 3.6s and Maggie 2.7QR some of the time. Currently have a Classe CA-200. I'm looking for more slam and I'm thinking the extra power will result in a less constricted soundstage (more open). Is my thinking right?

How about the CX series? 300CX or 400CX

Associated equipment: Wadia 850, ARC LS-2B, Cardas and PAD cables.
jcatral14
318jodans
5 posts
 
Hi I own a fpb-600 and it is amazing.If your into rock you will love this amp.The base will punch you in your face. They are old.but very trustworthy. krell has the best service too.You have any issues they will help.Stay away of the jap stuff .Even they buy from Krell.That guy thats talking about Helius amplifiers is crazy He is talking about 250.000 a pair.Who has money to Burn ?They are made in the usa.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,088 posts
 
Are these amps made in china?
herndonb
124 posts
 
Krell made four (now discontinued) products there, the S-300i, S-550i, S-350a, and S-350av.  Everything is made in Connecticut now.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,088 posts
 
Do we know why Krell junk-sourced to china for these specific models?

It is good to learn that Krell learned from mistakes and brought it back "home".
herndonb
124 posts
 

Those products were very affordable.  The S-300i/S-350a were 2500, the S-350av was 4500, and the big S-550i was 5000.  These were amazing performance/dollar products at the time.  The new Vanguard integrated and Cipher CD/SACD player are both much better, but at 4.5k/12k respectively the price is higher now too. 

Many company's make some models outside of the US to keep the prices lower.  Unrelated (sort of):  I worked at a B&W dealer for 16 years, and when the 683 loudspeaker was released from their new, non-British factory I was surprised/disappointed, but then I listened to them.  Not only were they 1500/pr but they sound much better than the outgoing, British, 604S3 ($1600/pr) that they replaced.  So equating where an audio product is made with it's performance (or reliability) might not necessarily reflect reality.

That said, rest assured, ALL Krell is made in Connecticut now.  The new Vanguard integrated, and the iBias family of amplifiers are the best sounding amps they've ever made.  Give them a listen.  :-)

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