Well, after nearly a year, I've finally gotten to finishing the prototype of the Basic Phono Preamp Kit. The primary hold-up, besides lack of time, was finding a suitable power transformer with international primaries that had satisfactory voltage/current ratings, a satisfactory price, and when used in the preamp, resulted in good sound. That is now done, so after I work a bit more to polish the instructions, get some more power transformers in here, and get the info up on the web page. A picture of the operating prototype is attached without front and side panels. (dig the funky "prototype power switch", but ignore the camera perspective distortion)
How about the sound? I have to say that I had adjusted my expectations for the humbler parts content relative to the Maxxed-Out Kit, so I was not really ready to be "wowed". However, (illustrating the futility of expectations) I was "wowed". The presentation hung together in a way that I have rarely heard from a budget component that is derived from a more expensive design as this one is. The dynamic contrasts are very nearly as good as the Maxxed-Out Kit and the bass quality and quantity is pretty amazing. Yes, there is certainly a lower level of absolute transparency than is obvious when listening with the Maxxed-Out Kit, but there is no real sense of loss other than this when listening with the Basic Kit (at roughly half the price!). It conveys musical "energy" in an infectious way that soon has you in listening rather than evaluating.
How about the price? The complete Basic Phono Preamp Kit equipped for use with moving magnet cartridges will soon be released at $899. Another $164 adds a pair of LL9206s or LL1678s for moving coil cartridge use. Balanced output facility will be optional, as will various upgrade packages to move the transparency in the direction of the Maxxed-Out Kit, without incurring the full cost of that kit.
Kevin Carter
K&K Audio
www.kandkaudio.com
