I have used the old Krell KSA250, KSA300s and recently upgraded to FPB250mc. FPB250 is even more transparent with better sonic separation and expansive sound stage than the fantastic KSA300s. This is particularly so when you play large symphony music with multiple instruments. The sound is fast, lively and fresh to the extent that you can imagine that you listen to live music. They make me want to listen to classical music more often. Bass punch and control are exceptional, but the body of the bass itself is slightly less than the 300s. For mid-range vocal, I feel FPB250 is very neutral but not as warm as the KSA300s. The KSA300s seems to give more body and character to the singers. I still like the KSA300s a lot as the “s” series has its uniquely sweet character. So, it is the matter of personal taste. Both amplifiers are exceptional in their own ways. As for the old KSA250, the KSA300s beat it in every aspect so the upgrade was an easy choice. For heat generation, FPB is cooler than the KSA “s”, and the KSA “s” is cooler than the old KSA. Other components: Wilson Audio WP7 Sonic Frontiers Line2 Aurender A10

Power cable is built in, so you cannot upgrade to other cables.

I have been a user of Krell's power amplifiers for many years.

It started with Krell KSA 250. It is a very powerful amplifier with great bass slam and authority; slightly thin in the mids. Then I changed to KSA 300S, a more refined performer, but equally powerful.

Perhaps it was the heat and the very high current, the KSA 250 had its on/off relay burnt and the KSA 300S had the same problems. My first Krell 300S had its on/off switch burnt one time and the huge transformer burnt later. The replacements had kept me waiting for a few months. Then I changed to another Krell 300S. It worked fine until one day it burnt all the left side. Tragic! Repair needed another 3 months.

Yet, I kept returning to Krell for one reason - no other amplifiers at the price point can match the Krells. The amp's sound will be greatly affected by what it sits on. The famous Chinese audiophile, Albert Yeung's invention of tips made with crystal and expensive wood has the magic of bringing out the real beauty in the Krells.

Recently, I changed my KSA 300s to Krell FPB 250Ms. It was a significant step upward. The sound was amazingly transparent and detailed. Sound stage was further stretched in all dimensions. The highs are conveyed with a sense of elegance and unbelievable refinement. Yet, it still loses points to KSA 300S on bass weight and authority. Perhaps, a change to more expensive power cords can improve in this respect. I am experimenting with a few. My former positive experence with an Aural Symphonics Cube GII power cord on the KSA 300S has convinced me a possibility of improvement. I am looking for another one for a change of them to 20A sockets, as the Krell 250Ms need 2 power cords.

A perfect amplifier. Just want a bit more bass weight and authority that the Krell 300S had offered me for the last few years.

Similar Products Used:

Krell 240 Signature Series, Krell 300S Signature Series

These 'little' monoblocks from Krell are great. I compared them to the FPB600 stereo amp and was impressed that the little guys had all the same great qualities: resolution, pace, no-harshness, etc.

Have matched them with B&W 801's, which was excellent, and I am currently driving Wilson Watt/Puppies and they are a great match.

Make sure that you can handle the blue lights before you buy them, some of my friends find the light distracting in my rather dark listening room. They also require ventilation - they idle warm and run hot.

They sound better with the balanced inputs.

build; true hi-end sound; can be upgraded to CAST;

Dave says it all

Similar Products Used:

Levinson; various tube

Soundstage; musscle; transparency;

none i can see

This prodcut rightly achieves Stereophile class A staus - well deserved. Truly a Ferrari of the hi-fi world. Try plugging it into a PS Audio power plant and it's as if the Ferrari has acquired a further turbo.....

i have now two weeks with my dunlavy 6 spakers krell fpb 350 monoblocks.i owners many world top amplifers,and i think ar vt 200 and krell are best.krell is so neutral that i cant say anything its sound,its work fine with very neutral dunlavy 6 speakers. happy listening

power, transparency, abosulte control; build quality

none to speak of

Been using the 250m monoblocs for over a year and they never cease to amaze me with thir iron like grip on my Sonus Faber speakers. They are infatuiguable. I agree with Dave from Dagenham, UK that you can improve performance even more with good quality 20amp power cords and by using balanced inputs. Kimber Select balance cable discerably improved the soudstage and isolated instruments. Transparent across the range and never harsh. Typical Krell bulletproof build quality.

A real bargain if (like me) you can pick up a second hand pair.

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson; Tag maclaren/audiolab;

power; soundstage; legendary Krell build quality

none

This review is for the 250m and not the 250mc. The main difference (other than cosmetics) is Krell's new CAST technology which (unless you're using other CAST components) means that any used pair of 250m will be a true bargain compared with the 250mc.

At this price range, however, any review of amps is more about personal musical preferences and component synergy than simply better/worse.

I bought these after reviewing a number of high end models. I found them brighter, punchier and more detailed than the Levinson 332. Within the Krell family, they had better soundstage and warmer mid-range than the FBP 350; FBP 350 has more grunt and bass slam.

I found that balanced (xlr) cable produced best results. Also, these monoblocs deserve better 20 amp power cords than the ones supplied. In my system, even some inexpensive proprietary power cords truly made a huge difference.

As someone who has been seaching for hi-fi nirvana for about 5 years, I believe (after some months with these) that my amp lust is over.

Equipment:
Krell 300cd
Krell HR-KRC
Sonus Faber Electa Amator II
Cable: Nordost/MIT

Similar Products Used:

Audiolab nonoblocks; krell KAV 250, 350 FBP; Mark Levinson 332;