2. amps-preamps
  3. 1101779119

Krell FPB 200c lack of Power?

I Think that I have a problem with my system, when I listen to music I have to put the volume pot around 11 and 12 o'clock to get an acceptable volume. I don't think this is normal with a 200 watt amp. I used to have a Classé preamp and a 100 watt power amp that had more volume at around 10 o'clock then the Krell does.I had some friends come by so I could get they'r opinions and they said the same thing.
At first I thought it was the preamp so I borrowed a deferent preamp but there was no deference in volume.

My set up is:
Krell KRC-3 Preamp
Krell FPB 200c Power amp
Meridian 507 CD
SME 10 Turntable with Benz Micro Ruby
Linn Linto Phono Preamp
Kef Reference 203 speakers
Transparent Reference speaker cables

Is there any components of my set up that are incompatible? Could this problem be related to something other then the power amp?? Please help!!
xupakabras
aball
2,016 posts
 
Sounds to me like there is nothing wrong. Volume knobs are relative, not absolute. Just crank it up! Arthur
morbius396c
134 posts
 
Xupakabras,

Arthur [Aball ] is correct above.

The volume control is NOT a power control - it's a GAIN
control.

An amp like your Krell can both be more powerful but have
less gain than an other. As I recall, Krells have a gain
of about 25 dB. There are other, less powerful amps that
have gains over 30 dB. All this means is that you have to
put a larger signal into the Krell in order to get it to
put out the power that it is capable of.

As Arthur states - the absolute position of the volume
control is MEANINGLESS - don't worry about it.

Just crank up the control until the Krell is delivering a
reasonable volume level.

Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist
bwyoung
143 posts
 
I owned a Krell fpb 200c (now upgraded to 300cx). I ran the same preamp as you... KRC3. I ran the same cables... Transparent Reference speaker and interconnects. I could barely stand to turn up the volume over 1/2 its volume range. If your Krells are in good working order they are not the problem.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,786 posts
 
Dear Xupacabras: You don't have any problem: usually the Classe amplifiers have an input sensitivity around 1V and the Krells around 2V. That's the difference: you need more volume in your preamp with the Krell.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
xupakabras OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for all the great responses.Enjoy your Christmas.
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