Klyne Preamp ?


how is the klyne line stage?
ruby8d70
Do you guys remember the Klyne SK2A ? It was a great head amp. I always regretted not buying it. Then, after looking for one for years, I spotted one on Audiogon. I agreed with the seller on a price, then he would not return my emails or calls - I needed his address to send him the money....the slimeball sold it to someone else who offered him more money. The search continues....
I have had the 7 series line and phono stages and they are 2 of the best pieces of gear I've ever had. Thomasheisig's description is right on, these are transparent, stay out of the way pieces, utterly invisible in the signal path. Stan doesn't have the propensity as some to change every 3 mo's with upgrades etc, and you'll not find a nicer guy or better support. Klynes are one of the best kept secrets in audio. You MAY find better, but not remotely close to this price range.
I am not all too familiar with Klyne, but I did have a weekend audition of a second hand Klyne preamp. I don't remember what model # it was, because it was too long ago. Anyways, I was comparing this preamp to a second hand Nakamichi CA-7A, and my amp was a Nakamichi PA-5mk2. I had better results using the Klyne than the Nakamichi, but the Klyne was twice the price. The Klyne also had a external power source, which the Nakamichi did not. I am currently using the Nakamichi with a Mapleshade Doublehelix power cord, which greatly improved every sonic attributes of the NAK. If my memory serves me correctly, the Klyne is a very musical solid state preamp that offers extremely clean build quality, excellent materials and workmanship from every knob to tiffany rca connections. I would say the Klyne sound is more relaxed,mellow without being on the warm side, while the Nakamichi's sound is more controlled, punchier, which works great with my KEF 103/4 speakers which needs a lil added punch.