K&K any comments?

I built the SE kit. Also, I bought a stepped attenuator recommended by Kevin. In this way I have been able to run the phono peamp directly into my tube monoblocks. I like the K&K phono preamp very much. For less than $1750 (delivered, including attenuator) plus assembly time, I got an excellent phono preamp. I've used it with a Michell Gyro SE and, now, with a VPI Aries II. These two tables are quite different design and sound. The K & K works well with both of them. I use a Dynavector Karat 17D2 MK2, a low compliance moving coil cartridge.

The kit quality is excellent. Kevin will give you good support if you decide to build it yourself. Based on my experience with Kevin, I am confident that the factory built unit will be excellent.
Please expect the Lundahl transformers to take a couple of hundred hours to break in. Once they do, the sound will have lots of air and detail.

Ah, Plinko, but Pedrillo's subject line is: "K&K any comments?"

I think my initial answer was entirely within that mandate. Moreover, his post said, "I think I finally decided on..." That's less than a definitive decision to purchase. And then, "Is there anything I should know?"

In what way did my first response post deviate from this query?

Phil

My take on the K&K: In my sytem, I preferred it to the EAR (by a wide margin), the ARC PH3SE and it was at least on par with the PASS XOno. I subsequently purchased (used) a pair of the Bent Audio Mu-Mc S&B transformers to use in place of the built-in Lundahls and this was a significant improvement. However, I would be surprised if you could not live with the stock K&K for a very long time (if not forever) and be very happy with it. It is not state-of-the-art but it is certainly excellent.

I want to thank everyone for contributing to this interesting thread, and also wanted to say I have not made a definitive decision. I should point out that my gear is sim p-5 pre and w-5 power amp, and speakers are merlin vsm genIII. Tt is vpi tnt mark I and V moving up to hr-x and eventually a graham 2.2 arm and sumiko blackbird cartridge. My room is treated with sound dampening material like acoustical ceiling tiles all around room, wrapped in fabric for estetic purposes, records and books on other walls to quiet down room. Speakers are suspended from ceiling, and some lumber attached to frame supporting speakers for bass. Maybe this can help in finding what phono preamp will work best. Also may be moving to a tube preamp on a goner's advice, a goner mentioned sim's pre not the best choice, don't know right now cause everything sounds ok, but that could change as I bring things up to speed.

ah Phil, you're right! I missed that bit. Sorry!