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General Asylum: REVIEW: Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) by Brian Cheney General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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198.81.26.75
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: 198.81.26.75Add Your Review
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)
- Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) - P3GA 14:15:26 12/8/04 ( 0)
Try the "Where" External Audio Super Extender (EASE) device... - Steve Parry 11:56:23 12/6/04 ( 0)
NE QUA QUAM VACUUM! - Al Sekela 09:05:21 12/6/04 ( 0)
Great find! - soulfood 07:49:42 12/6/04 ( 0)
Is Know a connected to Lirpa Labs? - Gregg 07:32:17 12/6/04 ( 1)
- Sure is ... it's from their budget line. - bjh 08:30:04 12/6/04 ( 0)
Your review means absolutely nothing unless you've done thorough DBT! (nt) - gbeard 06:47:15 12/6/04 ( 0)
Try Necco wafers under the Lorna Doones ... - Matt D. 05:37:17 12/6/04 ( 0)
Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) - Bill Leebens 04:55:54 12/6/04 ( 0)
Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) - lonewolfny42 03:43:56 12/6/04 ( 0)
I know nothinnnnggg! (nt) - BaddaBob 02:38:58 12/6/04 ( 0)
ha, talk about vapourware.. nt - Alex S 01:09:18 12/6/04 ( 0)
Ha Ha Ha But with those .. - garth 00:51:29 12/6/04 ( 0)
Thanks for keeping us "in the Know" ! - grinagog 22:36:45 12/5/04 ( 0)
"chassis is quite transparent" - LOL! - mkuller 21:52:47 12/5/04 ( 1)
- Re: "chassis is quite transparent" - LOL! - Brian Cheney 07:57:40 12/6/04 ( 0)
manufacturer's website down, or your link is bad - suits_me 21:12:32 12/5/04 ( 0)
I get it! The best tube is - Joe Murphy Jr 18:40:09 12/5/04 ( 0)
Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) - Todd Krieger 18:39:49 12/5/04 ( 3)
- Re: Know Manufacturing Model 0.0 Preamplifier (Tube) - Brian Cheney 20:25:23 12/5/04 ( 2)
- Todd: Didn't you know??? - Sean 23:45:00 12/5/04 ( 1)
- Re: Todd: Didn't you know??? - Todd Krieger 00:07:38 12/6/04 ( 0)
All I know is Know is nothing. - njjohn 18:30:55 12/5/04 ( 0)
Recommendation... - KKC 18:19:48 12/5/04 ( 0)
Brillian review :-) (nt) - Pinkus 17:04:38 12/5/04 ( 0)
Good one. - Jim Austin 16:28:49 12/5/04 ( 0)