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.
©2006 by Krell Industries, Inc. All rights reserved P/N 309094-W
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 [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-MAIL [e-mail]
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