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REVIEW: Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube)

198.81.26.75


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Model: Model 0.0
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $expensive but worth it
Description: Vacuum preamp
Manufacturer URL: Know Manufacturing
Manufacturer URL: Know Manufacturing

Review by Brian Cheney ( M ) on December 05, 2004 at 16:08:01
IP Address: 198.81.26.75
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for the Model 0.0


Eight years after Sam Tellig recommended the Jadis JPL preamp to me (Sam is a fine fellow, read him and heed) I found myself in the market for a true vacuum preamp, something perhaps less bulky and easier to use than the Jadis. Price was not a consideration so I didn't consult Sam this time. I was On My Own.

The Know Preamp Model 0.0 suggested itself almost by accident. I had heard rumors for years that Know preamp was the Best preamp but was too timid to give up my golden Jadis, fearing what fellow audiophiles might say. At CES a year ago, a component failure forced me to rack in the Know gear and I must say, I'm flabbergasted.

The features of this preamp take getting used to. Fortunately my DAC, a Wadia 27ix, is already equipped with a full remote including volume and balance, phase inversion, mute, input selector and balanced/unbalanced outputs, so I didn't miss these features. After hooking up the Know Preamp I began to hallucinate: I heard less noise, more transparency, less distortion, more extended bass and treble, and imaging was more palpable. Part of this was the non-use of input and output interconnects, also made by Know Manufacturing, replacing some superb $900/m jobbies. Indeed I was able to connect the DAC through the Know to my Son of Ampzilla with no connections whatsoever to the preamp. This definitely cut down on human error and my tendency to turn up the volume all the way by accident.

Cosmetically I am of two minds about the Know 0.0. The chassis is quite transparent, a valuable audiophile criterium. However it was the lack of shelf space taken up by the preamp that alarmed me the most. Indeed both front and back of the unit appear, well, blank! It's almost like there's no gear there at all and that, dear friends, required some adjustment. I ended up installing Aurios and some Lorna Doones where the Jadis had stood, for that High End look. I tried a VPI Brick with the Know but it just flattened things out too much.

As to cost, I don't think my Jadis is worth more than a couple of Thou nowadays, even tho recently retubed with NOS Sylvanias from the local TV repair station ($9.00ea). True to its name, the Know Preamp is an audiophile bargain, but be prepared when your dealer pays you, instead of you paying him.

My highest recommendation.


Product Weakness: cheap, hard to see
Product Strengths: better sound, less complicated to use


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Son of Ampzilla
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Know Preamp
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Wadia 27ix
Speakers: VMPS RM40
Cables/Interconnects: Know cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections): just about anything!
Room Size (LxWxH): 31 x 13 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: full LEDE
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Aidio Magic Stealth
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) - Brian Cheney 16:08:01 12/5/04 ( 26)