Recapping Krell FPB-Monoblocks - Need Advice

I dont know about your alternates but 80% of the time owners upgrade and sell anyway.

Dear @boisehomes  : I'm with @kalali . Send it to Krell.

Thigs are that I own a 25+ years old Levinson 20.6 monobloks and I can tell you that today similar top amp designs are not and day better quality difference, overall are in the same league.

 

Well, even that my monobloks have not a sign of something wrong and only by common sense I decided to change the pair of electrolithic caps on each one.

My monobloks are not an easy task to handle due to its weigth but your Krells are even more weigthy and to move it ( only this ) a technician needs time to do it.

Anyway, I made the change with exactly the same caps Levinson used for the design: Vishay-Sprega. I did it with the same capacitance value, I could go a little higher in capacitance but I did not.

Well, this caps change was a " nigth and day " differences for the better, I was really surprised because I just did it to prevention but with out hoping of any improvement: WOW  ! ! 

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

 

where did you get the information that recapping FPB monos is 2 hours per amp?? That's absurd!!! 2 hours is only to break down chassis components before even getting into circuit boards

whaddaryoutakinabout??

Hi, I have pair of 450mcx which I would like to recap, are all caps mention here would be the same parameters with 350?  

Thanks,

V

i just read your link again on the recap and I think it’s 5 hours per mono block.

That's for both as he states "the entire process".

 "The entire process takes approximately five hours from start to finish."

  Also there no need to do the film or poly caps just the power supply electrolytic and any Jamison electro's that will also save time. Just find a good local audio tech in your area. 

Cheers George

@georgehifi 

i just read your link again on the recap and I think it’s 5 hours per mono block. Also mine is jus a regular M not the X version. The M is probably easier! 

boisehomes OP

Your changing caps, it's not rocket science, even someone with "basic electronic" skills could do it, don't listen to those who try to make it sound like some kind of "sacred ritual" that only Krell should do, and who would probably give to their apprentices to do anyway.
You have the link on how it's done, just show it to a good local tech that's not going to rip you off on labor costs.

Krell-$500 an hour!!!!! now that's a ripoff! it'll end up being at least 4hrs + parts for both amps, I could see $3k bill from Krell, the amps aren't worth that kind of investment, plus your original purchase price, ho! I and forgot about shipping both ways! add another $K.  

Cheers George

"You really think it’s only a couple hours labor per amp? That would mean Krell is charging me over $500 an hour. Krell also told me it’s a huge improvement when these are recapped. "

Don't get sidetracked by listening to people who have no direct experience with how Krell or other reputable manufacturers such as Mark Levinson, Bryston, Audio Research, etc., perform service on older amplifiers. They will do much more than just solder in a bunch of capacitors like a tech down the street. I've had friends who have sent in amplifiers to both Krell and Mark Levinson for service and the amplifiers came back like new. In both cases, they didn't even charge for replacing some of the passive components which were deemed marginal during their final test. They are not cheap but you'll get what you pay for, assuming you plan to keep the units a while. Furthermore, having a certificate from the manufacturer is always a major plus if or when you decide to sell them for any reason. 

That would mean Krell is charging me over $500 an hour

Yep, they know how to charge, they're not shy.
It’s around 2hr per amp, the link says 5hrs for both that’s probably with smoko ect
We charge in Au around $100au per hr that around $75usd
Just take them and the link to a good audio tech and ask for a quote, and you get the caps, it’ll end up cheaper as they always put a mark up on the parts

Cheers George

@georgehifi 

Will definitely have better caps put in! You really think it’s only a couple hours labor per amp? That would mean Krell is charging me over $500 an hour. Krell also told me it’s a huge improvement when these are recapped. 

Recapping Krell FPB-Monoblocks - Need Advice

I have a flawless pair of original Krell FPB-350m

Magnificent amps, just have to read JA’s bench test on them.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/krell-full-power-balanced-350mc-monoblock-amplifier-measurements

I would just re-cap the Krells, use the equivalent size or even higher uf Nichincon 105c temp caps. Will be the same just as good or better than the Krell badged ones and cost less.

They use Nichicons 80c in it so go higher spec 105c http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~timc/e/krell-cap/index.html
Put Nichicons 105c in place of the Jamicons, they’re not very good, can’t believe they used them.

It says $160 for the caps, I'd say more like $250 and a couple hours labour, they look easy to work on.
 
Cheers George

To those who have had their FPBs recapped, is there a noticeable upgrade in sound quality? Some of the comments on Stephen's website indicate a dramatic improvement can be expected.

@gdnrbob

I would love the Ayre mono blocks but can’t dump that kind of money on amps right now. The VX-5 I could swing but not sure if it is a better amp then my Krell monos.  

I think I will have Krell do the recap! Just got a bid from Steven at The Service Department and he wants $2,000 a piece! That seems absurd to me! Having Krell do it is a bargain compared to him! Lol! I’ll also give George Meyer a call and see what they can do! LA is pretty close to ship to.

If you really like the amps, get them completely re-capped. If a cap in the wrong place decides to cook-off you'll have a lot more than overheating issues.

Think of this as a timing belt in a Honda Civic with 89,000 miles on it. You can keep driving it instead of spending the $750 (oft included the new water pump, too), but WHEN belt fails on that interference engine, it'll total it

Those are very nice amps.  Hard to beat.
In my opinion, they are worth getting repaired/recapped.
Unless you can find someone authorized by Krell or at least very knowledgeable and experienced with Krell equipment, I would bite the bullet and either ship them to Krell or to George Meyer AV in Los Angeles.

Shipping to LA from where you live is probably less expensive than shipping to Krell.  But, you can't go wrong either way.

Get those babies fixed.

enjoy

I just got an return authorization last week from Krell to return my FPB-300, I think it’s worth the extra money. If you want to sell, the paperwork from Krell showing the work done can worth a lot. It won’t be worth your time trying to sell something needing work.

@boisehomes ,
+5 on shipping them back to Krell.
I think the 'peace of mind' factor would be my overwhelming point in sending them in. While they are at the factory, they would be able to see if anything else needed replacing.
As you own an Ayre preamp, have you ever considered an MX-R?
Bob

total recap is not necessary most of times. you need to go over caps exposed to high temperatures and voltages. measure their parameters before replacement. if parameters are within specified tolerance and no visual damage, leave them back in the circuit.
if your unit still works nice, you don’t have to do that.
Definitely don't go for $1300 per chassis deal. Not needed and not necessary. 

Pass and krell are very nice..... I’d send them back to Krell. There are a few things that they do also. And when you get them back they will be as they should be. In the long run. They will probably be cheaper. As they do these all the time.

Yeah, I probably will bend over and send them in! Krell used to do 25% off there legacy amp rebuild program at Christmas but I guess the current management has no plans to do that again. I was going to have it done as a present to myself this year. I immediately pulled them out of my system when it happened and called a tech at Krell! He said a bad cap makes it go out of Bias and overheat! I currently have a 150 watt older Musical Fidelity amp I use as a backup! It actually is surprisingly good. I still want to try out some Pass Labs amps! I’ve always heard they were hard to beat.

They do more than just a recap when you send in a unit for service. You'll get them back within full spec and they'll will last you a long time. For $3K, I'd definitely have them serviced and enjoy their quality sound.   

If all you need is a recap any good technician should be able to do it.  No need to send your equipment across the country.  I would not operate the amps if they easily overheat to avoid additional damage.

I’m in the Northwest! What modern amps would compare to the big old school class A stuff. If I do have the FPB’s rebuilt I will never get rid of them. I wish there were some factory certified techs on this side of the country. 

Recapping will probably improve the sound modestly, but you are unlikely to recoup the cost.  

Might be worth listening to modern amps first.

Those fpb ‘s are wicked amps.

 Call some shops and get quotes,
i would rather trust the factory with such nice monos.

 Those amps are amazing.

 I would drop the coin on the company which makes them, l, as you will get a small warranty after the work is done by the factory.

call krell n speak with the technician.

 I would start there.

where are you from?