Krell FPB 600c 700cx 400cx Heatsink noises.


In 2001 I bought my complete new Krell cast music system: Krell FPB 600c amplifier, Krell KCT preamp and Krell KPS28c cd-player .Siltech cast interlinks. Speakers are JM Lab Utopia with Transparent ref.XL loudspeaker cables. However I certainly have the feeling that all the manufacturing dollars have been spent on sonically critical design elements,there is a mechanical problem,which is bothering me since the moment of purchase.Two or three times during a listening session the metal construction of the heated amplifier cabinet in operational mode makes a sound (tsssjakkk).Probably because the difference in heat of the heatsinks and/or heavy gauge alluminium chassisplates. When I bring the amp in stand by position after listening,this mechanical sound is there also ,several times. I phoned the Krell service department in 2002.Irving Gross told me that it was a diffraction problem.(traction and contraction of the heated amplifier cabinet.) The service department advised me to tighten all the bolts of the heatsinks. It did not help. During the upgrade from 600c to 700cx,end 2002, I told the German importer about the problem. He admitted that this diffraction problem was a tough one to solve.I had the hope that the problem would have been gone after the X-Upgrade but unfortunately it did not. In the english Hi-Fi News magazine of december 2005 (page 28/Howard's Way) I read an article about a former owner of the Krell 400cx."I sometimes got noise from the heatsinks through heating and cooling." He finally could not live with it and sold the amp. My question is ;does anyone has the same problem with this Krell FPB amplifier(600c,400cx or 700cx)? More important, which owner has a smart suggestion to eliminate this undesirable mechanical'vibration'. Otherwise...I figure I have to live with it, which I can because I simply love the sound of my complete Krell cast system.
paulinemarcel8390

Showing 5 responses by rwwear

My 600c will make an occasional pop while heating up or cooling down but it is not excessive. It is such a great amp, I overlook it.
Dbld, I have never had a problem running any Krell amp with a tube preamp. The only time there is a problem is if the preamp leaks DC. The older BAT pres did cause the protection circuitry to shut down many amps that had no capacitors in the signal path.
Sprbggr, I have a 700cx and have been entertaining the thought of getting one of the new EVO preamps. This way I would be able to use CAST. I have also wondered how good the REF3 or LS-26 would sound with the Krell amp. Did you make any comparisons before you decided on the Ref3?

Thanks
Robert
The noise is more common to the earlier runs of the FPB series Hunter. The later issues had sound deadening washers added.