Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Klyne SK-1 Phono Preamp by il toro

Model:	SK-1
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$3000
Description:	Moving Coil (MC) to Moving Magnet (MM) step-up
Manufacturer URL:	Klyne

Review by il toro on June 16, 2008 at 16:42:07
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for the SK-1

Getting on for a decade old now but still in the top eschelon. This was Klyne Audio's first product that set them on the map.

Three things set it apart: the first is its configurability - any cartridge loading you can think of is covered, along with various settings on how it handles high frequency information. The result is the ability to trim the sound for absolutely any cartridge, getting the best out of anything you care to name.

Second is its looks - very attractive in wonderful hammered blue metal finish, looks a realy heavy, high-quality product.

Third is its sound - which is what this review is all about.

I've used this extensively with a ATOC9 mk II, its stunning younger brother the AT-33 ANV (sadly no longer available though the pricey At-33R is essentially the same cartridge), a Denon 103 (both unmodded and heavily modded - nude on an alloy backplate), and finally my Lyra Helikon which is its perfect partner. Each required a different loading - I shudder to think what some of these sound like with less-configurable amplification

I had used passive step-ups before but was always left unsatisfied. Only the really bright boys (like the two ATs above) really delivered the goods with a passive. The Klyne allows the music to shine through. I would never go back to a step-up, any more than I could trade my horns for plain boxes again.

It's probably at it's happiest with 0.5mv but worked fine with the 0.25mv Denon - just a touch more background hiss. Other reviews have raised this as an issue but unless your MC has but a feeble output, it's not a worry. I tried it back to back with an Audion tube MC step-up and switching over was like stepping into a thunderstorm - no context for noise (though they were pretty equal in terms of getting the detail up to MM level).

I've used two partners for this, the wonderful internal phono stage on my Audion two-box Premier preamp, and the rather different (but also very competent) Graham Slee Era Gold V. Both benefit from the active signal, but in different ways. I'm still not sure which I prefer so I keep both. The thing I don't change is the Klyne.

Well worth its original price and an absolute bargain at the £350/$700 it seems to fetch these days (if you can find one). The SK-2 is supposed to be even better - but when was the last time you seen one of those? A hifi classic, for sure.

Product Weakness:	At its limit at 0.25mv.
Product Strengths:	Configurability. Ability to extract detail.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Audion 300b SET monoblocs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audion two-box Premier with tube MM
Sources (CDP/Turntable): LP12/Ittok/Lyra Helikon/Hercules II/Cetech subchassis
Speakers: Tom Zurowski sHorns fostex 168 sigma
Cables/Interconnects: Dogslodge Silver Litz/Anti-ICs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, chamber music, lieder
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 years
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Audion 300b SET monoblocs
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audion two-box Premier with tube MM
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	LP12/Ittok/Lyra Helikon/Hercules II/Cetech subchassis
Speakers:	Tom Zurowski sHorns fostex 168 sigma
Cables/Interconnects:	Dogslodge Silver Litz/Anti-ICs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, chamber music, lieder
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 years
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner