Krell FPB Owner want to try Tube Amp or Integrated

Tbe amps. I went to the local McIntosh dealer interested in getting the latest 6-channel (solid state) amp. I noticed the new 2102 tube amp and asked to hear it, after having listened for quite some time to the solid state. The guy went behind the wall to change cables and, after the 2102 warmed up, he let me hear it. A accused him of changing speakers on me as it sounded so wonderful. I had to have him reverse the experiment while I watched to convince me. If you can hear the differance between solid state and tube, you will be hooked forever! I now own a 2102 and my wife noticed right away how it sounds 'woodier'.

I use the FPB300 to drive the top end of my B&W's, and as others have said -- not too bright compared to live music.

I use Krells own KRC-HR preamp.
Also, if you really want your FPB to sing, add the Pure Note Sigma power cord; a match made in heaven!

By the way, if you try a tube preamp, make sure you make the internal adjustments first, or you my fry some of the transitors, etc.

Richard

A Krell FPB-300 used to drive my Aerial 10Ts. From my perspective, it was NOT edgy and is a bright. I agree with the comments above: my findings are just the opposite as well. If anything, the FPB-300 is just sligthly on the warm side of neutral.

It wasn't until I replaced the Krell that I discovered its flaws. Compared to my Spectral DMA-150 Mk2, the the FPB-300 suffers a bit of grain in the midrange. Also, it's a bit slow, particularly in the bass (but then most amps are compared to Spectral).

If you hear bright and edgy then I think you need to address something else in your system, not your Krell.

Ken

There is no simple answer, but I would be highly suspect of simple statements that Krell amps are "bright" or edgy.

I have owned both the KAV-500i integrated and the FPB-600c. I found both of these amps to be spectacular sounding with my B&W Nautilus 801 speakers. I have now decided to biamp with tubes on the mids/uppers (mostly because the 801s let you biamp and I fell in love with the new VAC Phi 70s). I've concluded the following:

1. Boy, is the Nautilus 801 a great speaker. (But by all means take the grills off the mid and woofer).

2. The VAC sounds extremely fine up top, but truth be told, I am hard pressed to distinguish its sound from the Krell on the highs. That's right -- I am saying that the Krells do about as well on the highs as a push/pull triode 300B valve amplifier. In the crucial upper midrange, I would say that the two are extremely similar, except I find the VAC to be noticeably more forward than the Krell FPB-600c, although to be honest I can't tell you which one is more "right."

3. There is something emotional about tubes, but who can say what it is? As great as an FPB-600c is, it is hard to really love it -- it's a big, heavy, metal beast that sits there looking cold, impassive, monolithic and indestructible. It has seemingly limitless headroom and just makes everything about the music seem so effortless (until it blows your house fuses). On the other hand, the VAC Phi 70 is this gleaming retro object with evocative backlit meters and big, delicate tubes glowing serenely behind an etched glass casing.... If audiophiles were honest and admitted there is more to the audio experience than just the sound, perhaps we'd understand the romance of tubes a bit better! Maybe you should make your decision on which sci fi aesthetic you like better: if you're an HR Giger person, get Krell; if you like Jules Verne, get tubes! :o)

But from a sonic point of view? I don't see -- er, hear it.

4. Krells slow on the bass? Not the Krell's I've owned. Fast, authoritative and totally in control -- that's the experience I've had with these Krells. I don't know of any amp that does bass nearly as well, including Pass Labs and Levinson gear I've heard extensively.

I run a Krell 400cx into Thiel CS6. This is NOT a harsh system. Do not be taken in by tube "mythology." That Krell you own is wonderful piece of equipment and is state of the art. Patekswiss said it all: fast, authoritative and in control.

You won't get that with tubes, can't be done. They can't push the current with the same linearity.