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Krell KSA 300S or FPB 300?

Hello all on a-gon,

I'm looking to get into some Krell amplification. Right now I'm considering the 2 amps above. I would like to get some of your expert opinions as to which ya'll prefer and which you would recommend. I would also like to hear why you prefer & recommend your choices.

I'll provide some of our associated equipment without getting overly detailed...

Amplifiers: Musical Fidelity KW500 (Selling) & Legacy-Audio Monoblocs
Speakers: Infinity Prelude MTS' & Legacy-Audio Focus
Digital: Esoteric DV-60 & Marantz BD8002
Analog: TNT IV with mucho upgrades
Phono: X-Ono
Preamp: Legacy-Audio NexStep. Preamp replacing the NexStep: Krell Audio/Video Standard from a super fine fellow a-goner. Greg, thank you again for the AWESOME Krell!

So there's the condensed version of our equipment.

As far as musical taste... my wife and I enjoy the following. In no particular order...

Rock
Blues
Big Band
We'll... actually we like just about all genres except OPERA!!!
We also like our music as low as background and all the way up to concert levels whilst enjoying Several-Frosty-Beverages.

Oh wise one's... please grace me with your honest opinions.

I hope that gives you's guy's enough info to make a choice/recommendation.
If any other information may help you with your recommends please let me know.

Thanks,

Skip
128x128joysjane
perfect_sound
14 posts
 
I'm going to have to second Brf's response. Get an older Krell KSA non 'S' or an FPB.

Cheers!
joysjane's avatar
joysjane OP
165 posts
 
BRF & Perfect_sound...
What is it that you prefer the older KSA's over the S model? What's yall's take on that? Isn't the only difference that one offers balanced operation?
By the way all, I'm actually leaning toward the KSA as I like the tank like built of that amp.
Keep the opinions coming. It really helps to hear from those who have owned one, especially those who have owned both.
I really wish it was feasible to audition them back to back. The only way that would be possible, for me in Wyoming, would be to purchase them both, compare, and then sell the one that doesn't pass my mustard test.
Jsd... ouch!!!

Skip
sgr's avatar
sgr
689 posts
 
Skip,
I'm really enjoying the addition to my system (Legacy Helix, PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC and transport, ARC Ref 3. See my system if interested.)of 1 pair of MDA-300s and 2 KSA-250s. I've listened to KSA 250s at a friends house for years. They provide outstanding bass, a tube like midrange (vibes sound outstanding), and a liquid, unfatiguing, extended treble. I've not listened to the MDA-300s for anything else but bass, (that's what they do in my quad amped sytem) but I did audition them vs. the KSA 250 and liked what the MDA-300s did to the bass (cleaner, more transparent). Amps I've listend to before are Acoustat TNT 200s, Hafler DH-500 and 200s, Threshold, Brystons not the newest versions, Levinson #336, #436s and #33s, Pass Labs (I forget the model), Krell FPB 350 monos (I think that's right), and various amps from ARC. My conclusion, even if I have to do a complete recap or overhaul, which requires sending the amps back to Krell, compared to the new stuff in today's market place, the KSAs are really bargains.
A couple of caveats, heat (they run class A,that's why they sound so good), no linked off/on or warmup switch, sharp heat sinks, and weight.
Hope this helps your decision.

Steve
Ag insider logo xs@2x
samzx12
1,222 posts
 
A local buddy just sold his FPB200 and purchased a KSA100s. He likes the midrange and topend better on the S series.
brf
1,715 posts
 
The "S" series stands for Sustained Plateau Bias technology which was first introduced in the Krell Audio Standard. This is a variation on the "sliding bias" idea, except that bias is changed in discrete steps rather than continuously. A so-called "anticipator circuit" at the amplifier's input responds very quickly to an increase in signal level, so that, by the time the signal reaches that output stage, the output will be biased to class-A.

The KSA S-series amplifiers did not have have the same deep bass as the former KSA / MDA series. Some felt that this was due to the anticipator circuit and the way it was employed in the s-series amplifiers. I found the S-series amplifiers to sound sterile and less dynamic than the former KSA. I am not a huge Krell fan, but I could live with a KSA 50 or a KSA 250 amplifier. If you have the space and are not too concerned with the heat issue, I would go for a KSA 250, invest in a recap (if and when needed)and you will have one of Krell's classics. People still ooh and awe over the performance and sound of a Krell KSA 250, but rarely do you hear them speak of the KSA 200"S" in the same regard. Just my 2 cents.
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