There is one important thing about FPB600 that I did not mention in my last reveiw. I think it's worth to mention it here again.
FPB600 has a ability to present the soundstage and image with a lot of surrounding air and layers of depth. Each instrument is much easier to identify
with FPB600. This is very desireable sound effect for playing the classical and jazz music. The 3-dimension holographic effect is better present in FPB600 than
FPB300 and PFB200. The FPB650M has even bigger and upfront (less depth) soundstage but is not more dynamic. I also think FPB650M has more details.

One more thing. FPB600 seems to be benefited more from a dedicated 30AMP power line than a dedicated 20 AMP power line (as suggested by Krell). The 30 AMP line open up the soundstage and deliver a liver sound.

I also place a dedicated amplifier stand for FPB600. The sound was cleaner and more dynamic.

I was surprised at the sound quality from this amp.the salesman at Best Buy was very helpful with my purchase.

My system consists of Krell FPB600, B&W 801s3, EAD 9000 HDCD, Sony DVP7000, MIT330 CVT and MIT 750 bi-wire cables.

The differecne between FPB600 and FPB300 (my prvious amp) are the followings:
1) Much deeper soundstage. The backgound is darker.
2) Stronger bass. Quality and quantity.
3) Smoother midrange and trebel.

I also compared the FPB600 to FPB650M (in the dealer's show room with 801s3 and
KRC3, SFCD-1, not sure about the cables). The main difference is soundstage. 650M's soundstage is more upfront, wider and taller. 650M is also more dynamic. Other than that both amps share the same "Krell FPB" sound. Please note that I do not feel 650M has much more power (It's not). Also, I'm not so sure I prefer the upfront soundstage from 650M. The deeper soundstage from 600 is quite attractive to me for classical type of music.
Giving 650M sold for twice of the money of 600, I (along with my dealer and
Krell sell support) agree that Krell FPB600 is the best buy in the Krell FPB lines.

I have owned the FPB600 amp for more than one year now. It is far and away the best amp I have ever heard, let alone owned. One reason I consider it excellent is that it takes speakers to much higher levels. I had Thiel 3.6es when I got the 600 amp, and this rather average speaker was jacked up a couple notches for sure. I recently upgraded to Von Schweikert VR-8es, and yup, the Krell jacked the VSR to a level of transparency and musicality I had never heard from a VSR speaker (or most any other either). The S series of Krell amps was excellent, but the FPB series elevates the standard even more (dirty trick Krell played on levinson--ML struggled to release the 331, etc. series of amps to try and desperately hoped to match the S series from Krell, only to have Krell up the ante another several notches with the FPB series--now, how about the 1000 watt Krell monoblocks?).

I have owned the FPB600 amp for more than one year now. It is far and away the best amp I have ever heard, let alone owned. One reason I consider it excellent is that it takes speakers to much higher levels. I had Thiel 3.6es when I got the 600 amp, and this rather average speaker was jacked up a couple notches for sure. I recently upgraded to Von Schweikert VR-8es, and yup, the Krell jacked the VSR to a level of transparency and musicality I had never heard from a VSR speaker (or most any other either). The S series of Krell amps was excellent, but the FPB series elevates the standard even more (dirty trick Krell played on levinson--ML struggled to release the 331, etc. series of amps to try and desperately hoped to match the S series from Krell, only to have Krell up the ante another several notches with the FPB series--now, how about the 1000 watt Krell monoblocks?).

I own Martin Logan speakers. I purchased Pass Aleph0 monoamps to replace an old pair of Harmon-Kardon monoamps, but was unhappy with the sound-stage and presence of the music. I switched to a Krell FPB-600 -- the difference was unbelievable. The soundstage and mid-range are more open than any tube amplifier or ss amplifier I have heard. The bass is rock solid. The timbre and localization of the instruments is perfect. Listening to Vivaldi brings tears to my eyes. The vocals on Big Head Todd's "Another Mayberry" are uncanny in their presence. Wynton Marsalis now lives in my house. I cannot imagine how any amplifier could sound better with so many varied types of music. The Martin Logan's have been taken to another dimension. Do yourself a favor and do not buy another amplifier until you have auditioned this amp or one of the FPB series. Anybody looking for a pair of slightly used Pass Aleph0 mono amps? Oh, and my circuit breaker does trigger when the amp is going balls to the wall--a 30 amp line is probably needed.

I own Martin Logan speakers. I purchased Pass Aleph0 monoamps to replace an old pair of Harmon-Kardon monoamps, but was unhappy with the sound-stage and presence of the music. I switched to a Krell FPB-600 -- the difference was unbelievable. The soundstage and mid-range are more open than any tube amplifier or ss amplifier I have heard. The bass is rock solid. The timbre and localization of the instruments is perfect. Listening to Vivaldi brings tears to my eyes. The vocals on Big Head Todd's "Another Mayberry" are uncanny in their presence. Wynton Marsalis now lives in my house. I cannot imagine how any amplifier could sound better with so many varied types of music. The Martin Logan's have been taken to another dimension. Do yourself a favor and do not buy another amplifier until you have auditioned this amp or one of the FPB series. Anybody looking for a pair of slightly used Pass Aleph0 mono amps? Oh, and my circuit breaker does trigger when the amp is going balls to the wall--a 30 amp line is probably needed.

Everything!!

None

In two words, this is "THE BEST". It is as if I never listened to music before, now I can hear instruments that simply were not there before...

Wow!!! The sound is unbelievable, the staging bold and transparent. I have never heard a better amplifier. I can't believe my speakers can sound so good. Expensive, yes. But well worth it. Don't spend your $$ on cables, D/A converters, stands until you have bought this amp. All you tubeheads can change your lightbulbs every two years and only hope to achieve this kind of sound. Enough writing, feel the need to listen to a little private concert.

Power and a smooth, even tone qualtiy.

Too reserved and polite. Not very musical or involving for the price.

This amp is a very capable performer. It never did anything wrong, was always on time, did all the arithmetic correctly, never dropped the ball…kind of like my accountant. It is very balanced from top to bottom, although a little thin in the mid-range. It is hard to criticize a product this well built that does it’s job so well, but if you want emotion, connection and musicality, this may not be your key to the musical kingdom. While it is very dynamic and capable, it does not, as one Stereophile writer said in his review, “make all other amps sound broken”. It is a little on the analytical, controlled, transparent, resolving, dry side, with a touch of the FBI security guy that you see protecting the President – Powerful, crisp, quick, and responsive. If you like ROCK and ROLL and really loud music, this is a must audition – it does it well, if you lean towards Jazz, acoustical, vocal…a really good tube amp may be a little more of your cuppa.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, Cary, McCormack, Mark Levinson, Pass, Carver