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Pass X150 vs Krell FPB 200

Hello,

I am currently looking at vintage balanced solid state amps and have narrowed the choices down to two. Which amp is the better performer, the original Pass Labs X150 (not the .5 or .8), or the Krell FPB200 (not the 200c or later). I currently am driving Klipsch Heresys with a 6v6 PP amp that I restored, so definitely a pretty efficient speaker. I am looking for more speed, transparency, and slam, though without a loss in musicality.

Thanks!
acsystems
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
If you had very hard to drive speakers, I’d say the Krell, but seeing your speakers can nearly be powered by rubbing two sticks together then the Pass. Both are big time overkill.
Something like a First Watt F5 turbo would be a killer amp for these Heresys.

Cheers George
mtrot
804 posts
 
I use a Krell FPB 400cx and there is just something about that class A sound.  I'm not sure if the FPB 200 is class A. 
acsystems OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the thoughts so far. FPB 200 also should be class A as well. I doubt I would leave class a operation with the Pass X150 though it is an AB amp.

I might also consider a vintage Pioneer M-22. 

Please keep the thoughts coming. I'm pretty torn.
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