Good amp for Klyne....

I can say only positive things about Stan Klyne. I have had problem with my preamp about 1 year ago (some static charge block the preamp). Because I live in Poland and there is no any supplier o Klyne products it has been serious problem for me. I have got immediate answer for my email with ask for help from Stan Klyne with necessary drawings an information how to fix it. Thanks god at the end it has not been need to do it, preamp unblocked on his own after about 24 hours.
But being in subject of topic, I use Klyne 7LX 3.5/B with Simauido W5 and Simaudio Supernova with polish speaker it is 3 way Enigma Duo Excelence – produced by small manufacture from Kracov, Sound&Line. I have compare my Klyne with McIntosh C46 with Mc501 monos and Dynadio Contour 3.0 and Simaudio P 5.3 with W5.3 power amp and Magnepan 3.6.
I would say it is a little better than Sim (smoother, more body, more powerful bass) and a little different than C46. Klyne is warmer then both of them, has more powerful bass and play with first plan closer to listener. From Sim it is much smoother, no grain, more musical.
The best musicality I have got from it was with Magnepan 3.6 + Simaudio Supernova + Simaudio W5.3 (but old W5 is better, new W5.3 seems to me a step back in comparison to W5) and all cables from MIT Magnum MA series (power cables MIT Oracle ). Than listen to this audio system we have just spoke only about differences in interpretations of music by different players (Beethoven sonates, Appasionata by Sviatoslav Richter, JVC XRCD and Emil Gilels, Deutshe Grammophon), no one has analyzed sound because there have not been sound, there have been only music. This system has given us very neutral, natural, clear and detailed but smooth sound. I have heard the most natural sounding piano I have ever heard from audio system (of course I have not heard so many audio system as press reviewers but any way have been looking for system for myself, have some audiophile friends, from time to time go for audio show and so on).
Very nice preamp my own has about 10 or 11 years and still in very good condition.

I'm auditioning a series 7 right now. Incredible piece, a huge step up in every aspect from my BAT VK5i. I have very neutral speakers, Tidal Audio's Piano, and have tried the series 7 with Brystons 7BST (500wt SS) and Argento wiring. The sound is fantastic, but a bit strident at times. I also have tried it with Canary 339 (50wt/300B Tube) and the sound was magical to me. I think, with the Klyne being SS, it really is at it's best with a tubed amp imo. The Klyne really uses the 50 watts so much more efficiently; the dynamics were pretty impressive for only 50wts and a 88db sensitivty speaker. Good Luck!

Brdsmith, having just come off a high from trying what I am about to relate, in a friend's system, I am keen to share. That stridency you mention with the SS Bryston may be curable at least in part, with the Ayre Acoustics tuning disc, "Irrational but Efficacious".

The business part of this disc is simply a 5-minute tone that sweeps from below to above audibility. You may well have tried it before and if so, I didn't say anything. If not, well, you just play it occasionally, at moderate volume ( because it can exercise your woofers fairly strenuously ).

The result in a friend's system with a Benchmark DAC feeding a GamuT power amp directly ( no preamp ) and Gradient speakers was a very noticeable reduction in hardness and glassiness. This was the first time I had heard the disc used on a SS amp and it really worked well. It might work for you if you haven't tried it.

No I haven't treid that disc Tobias. But I do play every now an then, white noise at a loud volume. This also 'cleans' up the image. Wonder if the Ayre is the same? I'll check it out though for sure. Thx Tobias

Thanks for all of the feddabck and discussion folks! I am still enjoying my SK5A immensely. If I ever decide to go to another line-stage, I'd probably keep the Klyne for its phono stage, which is just incredible. I've settled in on a pair of Rawson Aleph 5 mono block clones that Tim built for me and the match seems to be working very well. Happy Listening!