I have my FPB-200 for almost a year. I used to have McCormack DNA 0.5 Delux to drive my Thiel 2.3. The DNA 0.5 delux gives decent sound quality but ran out of steam at times. I audition Classe 150 and 200. I don't like either one. They have a artificial/mechanical sound, and slightly dark. I then auditioned the FPB-200 and subsequently bought one. It took about 6 months for my amp to be fully broken in. I am constantly surprised by how low the bass of the Thiel 2.3 can go down. The bass now has proper weight and good definition with a purring quality. The midrange is clearer with a layer of thin veil being lifted. The soundstage goes deeper and wider. The treble is even smoother and more detailed. These are all improvements comparing the DNA 0.5 delux to the Krell. To me, this amp is worth every single penny. Recently, I upgraded the stock power cord to ESP power cord. I can not believe the improvements this power cord produce in the Krell. Every aspect of the sound improves. Now I understand why this Power cord is so highly rated by the Fi Mag.
In conclusion, I love this amp. If the price of this amp fall within your budget, definitely give it an audition.

I have had quite a bit of experience with numerous amps in my system over the last several years. I often found myself not completely sarisfied with the overall performance of these amps. Amps I have listened to in my system (in order of preferance): Llano Design A-100 and A-200, Aragon 8008BB, Mark Levinson 331, Pass Labs Aleph 3 and Aleph 5, Adcom GFA 5800, McCormack DNA-.5 Deluxe, Classe CAP-150. To my ears and in my system, the Krell FPB 200 is quite noticeably superior to all of these when total overall performance is considered. It has an accurate, non fatiguing, dynamic and well balanced sound that is superior to anything I have heard before. I believe now more than ever that you do get what you pay for (expensive though that may be) when you buy a Krell FPB amp. As a side note: On this website I have noticed many negative reviews of equipment where there is no explanation of supporting equipment or what specifically was wrong with the sound. Please don't take into consideration the opinions of people who do not take the time to write a well thought out review.

The rest of my system includes:
Apogee Cepheus 8 loudspeakers
Symo LS5SX speaker cables
Magnan 5i interconnects (XLR)
Mark Levinson #39 cd player

This is my newly upgraded amp from Mark Levinson No.331. Compared with the ML, FPB-200 is much more smoother and transparent. In my system, I feel that the FPB-200 has satisfied me more than enough though there are still the FPB-300 and 600. This is the most 'little' Krell in the FPB series but it doesn't sound 'little' at all! The soundstage, bass and control are world class performance. And of course, the warm mid-range where Krell amp is famous of! One more thing, you have to use balanced cable to get the best from this Krell.

* See other reviews of associated equipment.


Associated equipment :

Krell KRC-3 preamplifier,
Proceed CDD transport,
Proceed DAP d/a converter,
Avalon Avatar speakers,
All Cardas Golden Cross balanced interconnects and double runs (external bi-wire configuration) speaker cables,
Madrigal MDC-1 balanced digital cable,
Black Diamond Racing Cones.

This whole series of FPB amps, from the 200 to the monster 650m monoblocks, absolutely rocks. The amps are so effortlessly dynamic that you will swear you have purchased new speakers. The sound is wide, well-delineated, with a tube-like sweetness. The bass is deep, structured and crisp (unlike most tube amps). I don't know how anybody with an ear for music and any experience with live performances can say otherwise. Well, there are obviously those who have an anti-krell bias. Some of them are on this webpage--ie, MR B's reviews are obviously bogust--he "prefers Plinius" here, but on the Plinius page he "prefers Krell." Audioreview should delete these type of sham reviews when they are obvious,because they may influence someone's decision adversely. Listen for yourself, you'll see...

I have heard the "Big Bad" Krells and I am not impressed! If you are a "TRUE" audiophile and you are looking for sonic purity, you owe it to your ears and your billfold to check out LLANO DESIGNS at llanodesign.com . These amps are SWEET!!!! I recently had a chance to audition an A200 that belongs to a friend of mine (he has 2) and it was Incredible! I am gonna save up $3995 and buy an S300!!! (I cant let my buddy out do me!) Also check out all the great reviews of these amps on this website!
P.S. llano compared to the krell in sound quality:
LLANO 5 speakers
Krell 2 speakers

Compared in cost -v- value:
LLANO 10 speakers
Krell 1 speaker

Overall I give the Big Krells 2 speakers for their ability to be both a space heater for a small appartment and its ability to cook an egg beautifuly!

Sincerely,

Steve Haynes

Please dont hesitate to e-mail me!

I recently had an opportunity to buy a demo unit at a very attractive price and was quite excited about the prospect. I listened to the FPB-200 in the Dealer's showroom with B&W N802s, KRC3 preamp, and one of the KAV series CD players. I was immediately struck by the Krell's bass slam on all percussive instruments, I expected to hear this. But further up in the range (upper midrange thru treble) instruments started to sound soft, and the highs were a little more rolled off then I like. It sounded like I was listening to two different amps, one playing the low end very cleanly with excellent drive, definition, and rythm, and one smooth and soft sounding amp performing the midrange and treble duties. The Dealer's showroom was far from ideal in terms of size and placement of the N802s, but I sense what I heard was largely the character of the Krell FPB-200.
I'm sure the Krell FPB-200 offers better sound then what I heard in the right system and enviroment. For value at retail I'd give it 3 stars, and for sound 4 stars.

I recently auditioned the FPB-200 in my home and expected a lot more fromKrell than I got. I personally prefer the new products of Levinson or
Classe'.

The FPB-200 is certainly smooth but I do not consider that characteristic
a necessary advantage. If I'm looking at a mointain, I want to see the
detail of the various peaks and valleys. Likewise, I expect an amplifier
to reproduce all the detail of the original recording whether it is smooth
or not. I found the FPB-200 muddy and lacking detail. There was a lot of
base but this lacked definition and sounded muffled. Midrange and high-end
response was acceptable but not noteworthy.

Associated equipment:

Wadia 21
Cardas golden cross interconnects and cables
Classe CA-150
Hales Concept 5

Considering the price of the FPB-200, I rate it 3 speakers.

Very involving, lots of emotion, very smooth highs and mids bass was very controlled, very natural and detailed.

not as heavy looking as the Mark Levinsons.

This amplifier should be considered if you are upgrading your system. At first I was wanting to get the Mark Levinson 332 or the Krell FPB-300 all very slightly used in prime conditions. The ML332 was eliminated in the first round, very uninvolving, emotionless, cold, and not smooth. The FPB-300 was good, more power but I don't need it, bass was good, but the mids and highs were not as smooth and sweet as the FPB-200. Performance was not as involving as the FPB-200. This amp. is worth the upgrade!!! Should be considered. This is my very honest opinion. Hope it can be helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson 332 and Krell FPB-300 of my friends, Classe CDT-1 transport, Timbre TT-1 DAC and Classe DAC1, Music Reference tube pre-amp, Sonus Faber and Magnepan 1.5QR

Focus and "hold", image seperation and accuracy, emotional
engagement.

When used for long periods at reference levels can really pump some serious heat into the room.

This is one of the most engaging amplifiers I have owned (and yes, I have used tubes before) that really sacrifices nothing to the faithfulness of the recording. If it's on the disc or vinyl then I WILL hear it no questions asked. The space between instruments is obvious and the grip that it mantains on them is admirable. It never falters even when the recording suggests that it might be getting close and I have never been driven the amp into a fault condition (even the output level of the amp/speakers has driven me to heart attack).
Everyone who raves about Krell almost always talks about the power and bass control, but I prefer the FPB200 for its "quietness" when required and revealing of fine nuances that add to the realism of a performance. The DYNAMICS -not sheer power output- is what I love about the Krell FPB200.

Similar Products Used:

Levinson 331, Krell KSA200s