Krell Industries FBI Quick start guide

FBI

Fully Balanced

Integrated Amplifier

Instructions for Use

Owner’s Reference

This product is manufactured in the United States of America. Krell®is a registered trademark of Krell

Industries, Inc., and is restricted for use by Krell Industries, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents.

CAST™, Evolution CAST™, and Theater Throughput™ aretrademarks of Krell Industries, Inc. All other

trademarks and trade names are registered to their respective companies.

FBI

Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier

Instructions for Use

v06.0

CONTACT

INFORMATION

This product complies with the

EMC directive (89/336/EEC)

and the low-voltage directive

(73/23/EEC).

Krell Industries, Inc.

45 Connair Road

Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA

TEL 203-298-4000

FAX 203-891-2028

E-MAIL krell@krellonline.com

WEBSITE http://www.krellonline.com

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read Instructions.

2. Keep these Instructions.

3. Heed all Warnings.

4. Follow all Instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with drycloth.

7. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,

stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

8. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long

periods of time.

9. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required

when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as a power-

supply cordor plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have

fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or

moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

10. The FBI must be placed on a firm, level surface where it is not exposed

to dripping or splashing.

11. The ventilation grids on the top and bottom of the FBI must be unob-

structed at all times during operation. Do not place flammable material

above or beneath the preamplifier.

12. Before making connections to the FBI, ensure that the power is off and

other components are in mute or stand-by mode. Make sure all cable ter-

minations are of the highest quality, free from frayed ends, short circuits, or

cold solder joints.

13. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE A FULLY BAL-

ANCED INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER.

Please contact Krell if you have questions not addressed in this guide.

Krell FBI 3

Contents

Page

INTRODUCTION 5

REVOLUTIONARY KRELL CAST TECHNOLOGY 6

DEFINITION OF TERMS 8

UNPACKING 10

PLACEMENT 11

AC Power Guidelines

FRONT PANEL / REMOTE CONTROL DESCRIPTION 13

REMOTE CONTROL ONLY 15

Battery Installation and Removal

Remote Control Only Functions

BACK PANEL DESCRIPTION 18

CONNECTING THE FBI TO YOUR SYSTEM 20

Connection Steps

OPERATING YOUR FBI 21

Amplifier Operation

Tape Input and Output

OPTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS 23

Configuring the FBI for Theater Throughput

Preamplifier Output

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT SYSTEM NOISE 25

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 26

WARRANTY 27

RETURN AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURE 29

SPECIFICATIONS Back Cover

4Krell FBI

Illustrations

FIGURE 1 The FBI Front Panel 12

FIGURE 2 The FBI Remote Control 12

FIGURE 3 The FBI Back Panel 17

Page

Krell FBI 5

Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the Krell FBI Remote Control Inte-

grated Amplifier. This fully integrated amplifier and preamplifier has

afully balanced signal path from input to output and employs a

wide bandwidth design with low negative feedback for sonic accu-

racy throughout the frequency spectrum. All circuits, including the

amplifier output stage, operate in pure Class A mode.

The Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier is a large-format integrat-

ed, and as such offers all the power and control afforded by big

Krell amplifiers in a convenient, integrated package that is simple

to operate. The remote control accesses all functions, while a 12 V

trigger connection allows the Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier to

interface easily with other components. The Theater Throughput

feature provides easy integration into a home theater system.

This owner’s reference manual contains important information on

the placement, installation, and operation of the Fully Balanced

Integrated Amplifier. Please read this information carefully. A thor-

ough understanding of these details will help ensuresatisfactory

operation and long life for your Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier

and related system components.

6Krell FBI

Current Audio Signal Transmission, termed CAST, is a revolutionary

method of connecting analog audio components for unparalleled sonic

performance. Innovative engineering combines the new Krell CAST cir-

cuitry with existing Krell Current Mode technology to create entire

CAST systems that reproduce music with incredible range, tonality,

and precision.

The Voltage Signal Transmission

and the Traditional Audio System

Traditionally, signal is transmitted in the voltage domain between two

components. In an audio system, each component is a discrete entity

with unique characteristics that act upon the musical signal independ-

ently. Each component is unaware of the other components in the sys-

tem. The cables that connect the components also have their own

electrical characteristics, which affect the sonic presentation of the

entire system. CAST transmission unifies individual components and

interconnects into an electrically-linked whole. The original signal

remains unaltered from source to speaker.

CAST Basics

Hereis how a CAST audio system works. Internally,each CAST source

transfers, or amplifies, current using Krell Current Mode circuitry. This

current signal is then output using CAST circuitry. When the signal is

received by a CAST input, Krell Current Mode circuitry again takes

over until the signal reaches the loudspeaker. By maintaining the musi-

cal signal in the current domain from beginning to end, an entire CAST

system behaves as if it is one component. With CAST, circuit board

properties and signal transmission aberrations between components

are eliminated. Cable impedances and their effects on the transmitted

signal are non-existent.

How CAST and Krell Current Mode Interact

While CAST is a new method of transferring the musical signal be-

tween components, its origin stems from Krell Current Mode, the tech-

nology developed to transfer the musical signal within a component.

CAST combined with Krell Current Mode takes circuitry signal trans-

mission to the next evolutionary level. In essence, Krell Current Mode

Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology

maintains the integrity of the signal within the component and CAST

preserves the transmitted signal between components. Together, CAST

and Krell Current Mode technologies unify separate Krell components

into a single global circuit. Krell Current Mode technology enjoys band-

width increases up to an order of magnitude greater than their voltage

based counterparts. This dramatic increase in circuit bandwidth deliv-

ers near perfection in the audible band that typically suffers from phase

distortions in voltage circuits.

CAST Cable Construction

ACAST system uses cables manufactured by Krell and other manu-

facturers specially licensed by Krell. Thin and flexible CAST cables are

constructed with the same build quality as other Krell components and

are aesthetically matched to the components that Krell manufactures.

An all-metal body and locking connectors with gold contacts are part

of the standard no-compromise specification developed for every

CAST cable made.

Evolution CAST

By employing revolutionary current mirror circuitry, the Evolution 222

components elevate the CAST technology to another level. This

advanced use of the technology increases the linearity, transient

speed, and bandwidth of the Evolution components while reducing the

distortion by an order of magnitude.

The Best Musical Performance

When you operate a CAST system, you will hear significant improve-

ments in every performance area: speed, precision, dynamic range,

depth and width of the sound stage, transient impact, tonal balance,

harmonic distortion, and more. The goal for CAST is the same compa-

ny goal used for all Krell products. Krell strives for the delivery of the

best performance of a musical event for you, using the full expression

of technology to date.

Krell FBI 7

Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology, continued

Definition of Terms

Following are the definitions of key terms used in your owner’s

reference manual.

Theater Throughput

Theater Throughput is a Krell configuration option that allows the

signal from a surround preamp/processor to pass through a Krell

preamplifier or integrated amplifier input at unity gain and sus-

pends operation of the preamp volume control. When Theater

Throughput is employed, control of the volume is accomplished

through the home theater processor.

Balanced

Asymmetrical input or output circuit that has equal impedance

from both input terminals to a common ground reference point.

The industrystandardfor professional and sound recording instal-

lations, balanced connections have 6 dB moregain than single-

ended connections and allow the use of long interconnect cables.

Balanced connections arecompletely immune to induced noise

from the system or the environment.

CAST and Evolution CAST

Krell Current Audio Signal Transmission, or CAST, is a proprietary Krell

circuit technology for connecting analog components, transmitting the

audio waveform between components in the current domain rather than

in the voltage domain. The speed and bandwidth provided by Krell

CAST and its circuitry update, Evolution CAST, yield accurate, realistic

music reproduction, enabling connected components to perform as if

they are all part of a single circuit.

Single-ended

Atwo-wire input or output circuit. Use care when using single-

ended connections as the ground connection is made last and

broken first. Turn the system off prior to making or breaking sin-

gle-ended connections. Single-ended connections are not recom-

mended for connections requiring long cable runs.

CONFIGURATIONS

INPUT AND OUTPUT

CONNECTIONS

8Krell FBI

Definition of Terms, continued

Off

The component is off when the AC power cord is unplugged from

the wall receptacle.

Stand-by Mode

Alow power consumption status that keeps the audio circuits at

idle. When you plug the AC power cord into the wall receptacle,

and turn on the rear panel breaker switch, the red stand-by LED

illuminates. The component is now ready to be switched to the

operational mode. Krell recommends leaving the component in

the stand-by mode when it is not playing music.

Operational Mode

When the component is in the stand-by mode, and you press the

power button on the front panel or the power key on the remote

control, the blue power LED illuminates. The component is in the

operational mode and is ready to play music.

Krell Current Mode

AproprietaryKrell circuit topology in which the audio gain stages

of a component operate in the current rather than voltage domain.

This unique technology provides the component with exceptional

speed and a wide bandwidth.

See also Revolutionary Krell CAST Technology, on pages 6-7.

OPERATION

TECHNOLOGY

Krell FBI 9

10 Krell FBI

Unpacking

Two people are needed to remove the Fully Balanced Integrated

amplifier from its shipping box safely and easily.

1. Open the shipping carton and remove the top layer of foam.

The carton contains :

1Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier

1AC power cord

112 VDC (12 V trigger) cable

1T-10 Torx wrench

1FBI remote control

2AAA 1.5 V batteries

1Packet containing the Quick Setup Guide and the warranty

registration card

2. Orient the shipping box so that one person stands at the front

of the amplifier and one person stands at the back of the

amplifier.Both people need to grab a pair of the cardboard

handle cutouts (one pair located at the front of the amplifier

and one pair located at the back of the amplifier) and simulta-

neously lift the amplifier straight up, out of the carton. Bend

and lift with your knees, not your back.

3. Place the amplifier in a safe location and remove the protective

plastic wrapping.

Ifany of the listed items arenot included in the shipping box, please

contact your authorized Krell dealer or distributor.

Save all packing materials. If you need to ship your FBI in the future,

repack the unit in its original packaging to prevent shipping damage. See

Return Authorization Procedure, on page 29, for more information.

Notes

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