K&K Audio / Lundahl Transformers

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share youe ideas and experiences.

Return to K&K Audio / Lundahl Transformers

K&K Audio / Lundahl Transformers

SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin

24.68.63.115

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Thread: Display Email Next ] [ K&K Audio / Lundahl Transformers ]

First, a heartfelt thank you to Kevin Carter for going above and beyond in helping me get my phonostage up and running.
Serveral weeks ago I completed the SE Phono kit, it went relatively smooth with the exception of a small hum and a loss of gain in one channel.
At this point with my electronic skills I can follow simple directions, but have little experrience in trouble shooting circuits.
Kevin was extremely patient with me, and spent a considerable amount of time helping me track down the problem.
What it turned out to be was a solder bridge on the component side of the board where a MC transformer was installed. Unfortunately,,, this resulted in me damaging the board in the process of removing the transformer.
Kevin supplied me with a new board and the necessary parts to get me up and running.
Once again, thank you for all your help and encouragement.
And now to the unit!
What can I say other than its fabulous, and was well worth any of the extra trouble I had getting it together. My previous unit was a Hagerman Cornet Classic with a few upgraded parts. The SE Phono easily outclasses it, as it should for more than double the funds.
The unit now has about 100 hours on it, (thanks to the periodic use of a Hagerman Frykleen) and is finally starting to settle down. I must say that transformer coupled units sure go through stange periods during breakin.
As much as I enjoy building kits, I think its going to be some time before I replace this unit. Kevin, any chance you might be coming out with a SE Reference Phono Kit soon?
Regards, Frank

Follow Ups:

Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - David Vair 23:00:00 05/10/05 (4)
Hello!
I am in need of a better phono stage (have the "Black Cube" currently). I have been considering the Cornet phono stage as a kit option, since it is cheaper to do than the K&K SE phono stage. Noting some of the comments here, it seems that a few previous owners of the Cornet switched to the K&K SE instead.
If you don't mind me asking: How much better would you say the SE is over the Cornet?
Would you recommend waiting and saving the extra money instead for the SE?
Are the kits of equal difficulty?
Sincerely,
David
- Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - Doc Jr 8156 11:57:24 05/11/05 (3)
  David,
  As a previous owner of one of the most modified Cornet ever built IMHO, I can assure you that the K&K SE, to my ears, bested it. As a point of reference, when I finished upgrading my original Cornet, the only stock part remaining from the original is the pcb, and the Hammond case if I might add. Building the SE phono is similar in building the half-kit Cornet if we are talking about the required skills but the K&K phono requires more tight-spaced soldering specially when it comes to the cartridge loading assembly. Kevin provides a very good text-manual for the assembly and things that were not covered by the text-manual were covered by the accompanying CD. Be patient and saved up for the K&K phono, you'll never upgrade again. Godspeed.
  - Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - David Vair 14:55:35 05/11/05 (2)
    Thank you very much!
    Would you mind letting me know which qualities the K&K SE has that you like so much, and that you hear as better than the Cornet?
    Gratefully,
    David
    - Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - Doc Jr 8156 15:35:44 05/12/05 (1)
      To my ears, the K&K phono has substantial bass response than the Cornet, clearer mids and more believeable imaging. The ability of the K&K to portray the illusion of "just like live" is more natural. The Cornet is as quiet as the K&K, at least the one I had. However, if you are going to use the Cornet with an MC cart and will employ a step-up requiring gain equal to or more than the 1:10 turn ratio, you can really hear the tube rush from your speakers. I'm not thrashing the Cornet, I love mine when I had it but the k&K is much better as it should. Godspeed.
      - Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - David Vair 20:23:24 05/12/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin posted by Doc Jr 8156 on May 12, 2005 at 15:35:44:
        
        Thank you very much! Your description is helpful, especially your comment on the Cornet's "tube rush" in MC configuration. I am sure that as a MM phono stage the Cornet is dead quiet, but apparently the significant increase in gain required for MC operation changes things a bit. This is an important issue to me for long term use of the phono stage and investment of money.
        Thanks again and take care,
        David
Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - Doc Jr 8156 14:44:39 05/10/05 (1)
Hi Frank. What a coincidence. I too came from the Classic Cornet camp but mine was totally upgraded in all aspects and the only stock component of my Cornet was the pcb. My K&K SE totally outclassed my Cornet in everything, as it should. I too have developed the similar hum (R channel) that you mentioned and I agonizingly searched for the "solder bridge" that Kevin told me to find. Like you, it was in the 9206 board. The difference between you and me was that not only I totally destroyed the 9206 pcb but also the 9206 itself. Kevin to the rescue and all was smooth from there on.
I logged more than 300 hours on my SE phono and if I'm not mistaken the "magic" arrived at around the 100 hour mark and continue henceforth. Your patience will be rewarded with a sweet smile of proudness and satisfaction, just hang in there. Godspeed.
John
- Re: SE Phono Preamp/Thank you Kevin - FMcCrea 17:40:58 05/10/05 (0)
  Hi John,
  The Phono is coming along and I'm really delighted with the unit.
  As I mentioned, Kevin was great in helping me sort out my problem. I'd recommend K&K products and service without any hesitation.
  Luck and health,
  Frank
SE Phono Preamp Kit break-in - KevinC 04:46:34 05/04/05 (2)
Thanks for the kind words!
Not only do transformers go through strange times before they settle down, but so do Cardas capacitors. The combination of the two can be a bit agonizing, but patience rewards.

Kevin Carter
K&K Audio
www.kandkaudio.com
- Re: SE Phono Preamp Kit break-in - FMcCrea 18:44:49 05/04/05 (0)
  Ah! theres that word again, patience?
  Frank
- Re: SE Phono Preamp Kit break-in - JKT 15:00:47 05/04/05 (0)
  Y E S S S S!!! It sure does.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

You can not post to an archived thread.