Good amp for Klyne....

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!