Can you bridge them and run 2?? No. |
I have had my Krell FPB 300cx amp on a rack in my one BR NYC apt. for almost 4 years, without any issues. The important thing is to give it headroom to breathe. Have not had any problems, continues to function perfectly powering my Magico A3's. Neal
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To finish the thought: I run the amp into an Audience AR6T power conditioner. Also run a VTL 7.5iii pre into amp, and PS Audio DSD DAC (w/Bridge II streamer), Bryston BDP-1 digital transport, and Sansui TU-1X tuner into pre. Power cables include Elrod Statement Silver from Audience to the wall; AQ Hurricane from pre; Cardas Clear Beyond XL (my new favorite)from DAC. IC's are High Fidleity CT-1 from tuner; CT-1 Ultimate from DAC; and Audience AU24SX XLR from pre to amp. All in an an 800 sq. ft. apt! Neal
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Magico's?? Damn, they are some amazing loudspeakers. Out of my league price wise but you gotta be ballin to live in New York anyways. So far, you have the best system I have heard of in an apartment. Anyone else top that?
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Look trough the window maybe you can reach service line with jumper cables ;)
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I had Krell 750 MCx's in an apartment back in the day with WATT/Puppy 6s and two REL Stentors. I split a 240v wall heater circuit and bypassed the thermostat. They were on separate legs of the AC but sounded great nonetheless. They ran hot so I didn't miss the heater. I had them under a coffee table and the the cat loved the heat they gave off. My upstairs neighbors were saints and said my music through the floor sounded better than their stereo in their apartment. I definitely got away with murder... |
It sure makes feel better knowing there is someone who has outdone me. Almost like attending an AA meeting where you are welcome and appreciated. The real winner in that combo is not the Krell 750's BUT you had TWO REL's hooked up living in an apartment. Priceless. |
andynotadam,did your upstairs neighbors ever call down any requests? Those have to have been the best neighbors ever. |
Could not and should not is sometimes two different things.
As pointed out by oddio there is a bit of nonsense, at least mis-understanding, here. By law, any device, appliance, or component actually requiring a 20A circuit must be equipped with or required by the manufacture to have a 20A rated cord with a 20A plug (easy to recognize as the neutral spade is at a right angle to the hot spade - so it can not be plugged into a 15A socket) Looking at the amp's specs and photos of it's dedicated power cord, with a standard 15A plug, I can say that a 20A circuit is not required. Can it be plugged into a 20A circuit - Yes. Is a 20A circuit required to operate this amp - No. So that is the answer too "Could".
As far as "Should" - well that depends on a few things. First, is the building and included apartments up to code? Second do you have an outlet on the wall where you would put the amp, that you can leave as dedicated, with nothing else plugged into that circuit? Third, where ever you put the amp, make sure it plugs directly Into the outlet (no extension cords).
Upgrading the outlet would help and possibly a good power conditioner (depending on if the power from the outlet is noisy and on what Krell (not a dealer , but the tech dept. at Krell) recommends.
I would say it would work fine as long as you're not driving a pr of 1 Ohm Apogees at 110db. In which case they'd probably kick you out anyway...Jim
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Jeff, the whole power issue with the Krell 400cx and similar generation amps is very confusing and IMO, Krell is to blame. The owners manual is clear and supports what Krell told you in your original post. From the 400cx owners manual. "Make sure the AC line is at least 15 amps for 300cx and 350Mc amplifiers; 400cx, 450Mcx, 700cx, and 750Mcx amplifiers should be operated from a dedicated 20-amp line." Issue The power cord unlike the previous generation FPB series is captive (sealed); so adding 20 amp service would entail making modifications to the power cord. Like cutting off the wall side and attaching the 20 amp plug. Who would want to do this on a multi thousand dollar brand new amp at the time? imo - Krell only did the 15 amp wall plug especially on the 400cx and up models for sales. FYI Pre CX series Krell amps had detachable cords. One could see the 20amp outlet design on the amp. The factory cord was a "dummy" power cord that had a 20 amp plug on the amp side and a 15 amp plug for the wall. All owners I know, including me, would just add in 20amp service and buy or make an aftermarket 20 amp power cord. Cheers |
Jeff,
I know some of your comments are in jest, but, the idea of comparing outrageous apartment systems, with the measure being the inappropriateness of the gear seems to be the wrong approach to making a good actual choice. The best sound is achieved by employing the right gear for the apartment setting. This does not necessarily mean tiny speakers and really low-powered amps.
For example, if you look in Japanese audio magazines, you will see a lot of systems with very large horn-based speakers in tiny apartments. Why? It is because horns can sound extremely vibrant and alive when actually playing at quite low volume--a good attribute in an apartment with thin walls. That horn systems also tend to be very efficient is another great attribute because most of the very best amplifiers (in my opinion) are low-powered amps.
You can also get very dynamic sound at low volume with high efficiency fullrange drivers used either in single-driver fullrange systems or with the full-range driver used in multi-way systems. Most of these types of systems are also quite efficient.
Even large dipole panel speakers might be appropriate in an apartment, if you can get them out into the room. Dipoles tend to concentrate the sound within a narrow field (the back and front wave are out of phase and cancel at the sides) and will sound pretty loud without spilling that loudness throughout the apartment (and into the next apartment).
There are many other ways to achieve good apartment sound, but, large subwoofers and hundreds of watts of power are the least likely way to get there. |
Large dipole's in an apartment? I am going to grab some NEOLITH's then!!! Hook em up to some SYMPHONIC LINE MONOS!!! IN MY 500 SQUARE FT SECTION 8 APARTMENT IN THE LAS VEGAS HOOD!!! |
I've heard Magnepan 3.7 and 1.7 in small apartments/condos, and I have used Acoustat 1+1 and Martin Logan Quests in an apartment. When I replaced the Quest with a horn-based system, I was shocked to find how much more sound seemed to spill out of the listening area than was the case with dipole speakers, meaning that I have to play the speaker at a lower volume level so as to not disturb neighbors. Horn systems, because of their directivity, are supposed to be good at not disturbing neighbors, but, they are not as good as dipoles in that respect.
The limitations imposed by an apartment do not mean one cannot go crazy in building a sound system, it just means going crazy in a different way. I am in that camp. I own three amplifiers, the most expensive currently retails near six figures and the one I am currently running I could easily sell for $25,000. The much more expensive reserve amp (on loan to a friend) has a rated output of 6.5 watts/channe; the one I am currently running has an output around 5.5 per channel. |
Gentlemen we have a winner!!!! An amp that retails for 6 figures? In an apartment? You are a true "goner". I am envious. |
I run a pair of Gryphon Cantata speakers, which are designed for a small room. I’m happy with them and I don’t have the problem of bass overhang/boomy bass, that I would face with a larger pair of speakers. These speakers have a separate Q controller which has different settings based on the liveliness of the room. The speakers are meant to take advantage of room gain, the natural amplification of lower frequencies. They’re a sealed design, which I believe is more accurate than a ported speaker. |
I've always thought sealed sounded better as well. I have heard some Wilson speakers and they use ports. I hear the ports at louder volume levels which isn't a good thing. When I think of potted designs I think of a loudspeaker traiding quality sound for efficiency.
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Gryphon Cantata's sound quite nice in the smaller rooms I've heard them. It is a nice bonus that they look good too.
Speakers meant to work in smaller spaces and close to the corners or the front wall of the room that I like a lot include Audio Note speakers and the Gradient Revolution. Within the Audio Note line, you can go nuts on upgrade of parts and the results can be quite rewarding. They are reasonably efficient and will work well with low-powered amps. The Gradient speakers are not as efficient, so they need a bit more in the way of amps, but they too sound great when placed near the wall.
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