KR Audio Electronics VA340 Integrated Amplifier

[Κώστας Φ.]

From the Czech Republic, With Love

Specifications
Single-ended tube amplifier - pure class A, zero feedback
Tubes 2 x KR 300BXLS
Output Power 2 x 20 Watts
RMS (THD=5%)
Bandwidth 20 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB)
Output Impedance 4, 8 Ohms
Input 4 x 0.5V
RMS / 47 kOhms at 20 W
Dimensions 53.5 x 25.5 x 41.5 cm
Weight Approx 36Kg
Price US$6800


"Design and Features

The designers of many integrateds join their company's pre and power units in one chassis - a little fiddling, a little modification, and another model is added to the line. Some folks even prefer them. This protocol has worked remarkably well in some cases, in others, not (howzabout the Concentra II from the pen of Jeff Rowland for a stunning example of the former?). Add Riccardo Kron's design to Mr. Rowland's gem. However, it does differ in one significant way from the Concentra's design philosophy/topology; Kron mates his P150 solid state preamplifier with his Antares VA320 single ended tube amplifier. Interesting, but does it work?

The hybrid system is microprocessor controlled with low frequency power triodes in the output stage (they work in pure Class A, single-ended with output transformer). The design works with zero negative feedback. As I mentioned before, the output stage is solid state, also Class A with MOSFET transistors. All parts are said to be of the highest quality.

The VA340 has four identical channels, the level of which is attenuated via an ALPS potentiometer. A remote control is supplied (standby, channel selector and volume buttons are provided). The chassis is substantial and is made of stainless steel. Power supply and transformer covers are painted with a black composite material. The power tubes are covered with a ring housing. The tubes run hot!

The front panel has four channel indicator lights, nickel-plated volume knob, remote sensor and standby switch (with LED). The rear has a rocker mains switch, detachable power cord outlet, an RCA record output and 4 RCA input connectors. Good quality speaker connectors finish off the well-made, carefully-designed housing.

The amplifier looks functional, is very sturdy, houses a very fine hybrid design, but in my opinion will not win any beauty contests. Some audiophiles who came over for a sneak peek were intrigued by the look, others were indifferent.

...

In Conclusion

For those on the 89/90/91dB fence, you'll just have to take a leap of faith (or try an in house audition). No doubt, the more efficient the speaker, the more will be extruded from the KR. The distributors should be able to suggest the best tube for your particular situation. I feel your pain! I feel fortunate for the effeciency of the fabs.

So, there you have it. A fantastic piece of gear sent from the Czech Republic, with love. For the love of music. For the love of the high end. For the love of God, try to hear it! I don't think you will be disappointed. I humbly give it Audiophilia's highest recommendation. I await, with some fear of the written superlative, for delivery of KR Audio's gigantic, Kronzilla DM 40 watt Dual Mono-block Single-ended Amplifier. Uh oh!"

Full Review: audiophilia.com

 

[Μιχαλης Σπερτος]

Προκειται για αυτο που εγω θα αποκαλουσα Εξαιρετικο Ενισχυτικο.
Οι σχεδιαστικες επιλογες του με βρισκουν 100% συμφωνο, γιατι ειναι ευστοχες οσον αφορα την ουσια των πραγματων, χωρις τιποτε το περιττο, αλλα και με αρκετα πλεονεκτηματα ουσιας, οπως πχ το συστημα αυτοματης πολωσης (μεσω μικροεπεξεργαστη) των λυχνιων εξοδου 300ΒXLS.
Σημειωτεον οτι οι τελευταιες δεν ειναι οι γνωστες 300Β, αλλα μια γερα πουσαρισμενη (και πανακριβη) εκδοση της που παραγεται στην Τσεχια απο την EMMISION LABS και πιθανοτατα μπαινει το brand name της KR. Αμφιβαλλω δηλαδη εαν ειναι γνησιο προιον της KR, αλλα μπορει να κανω και λαθος. Παντως ο Καναδος, με φανερο τον επαρχιωτικο αυθορμητισμο, φαινεται να εχει ψαρωσει για τα καλα και δεν το κρυβει.
Δεν εκπλησσομαι απο την Ισχυ που ανακοινωνεται, αλλα θα πρεπει να αναφερθει οτι μια απλη 300Β στην θεση της XLS θα παραδωσει το πνευμα συντομα (εαν οχι αμεσα).
Αλλος νεωτερισμος (εαν το επιασα σωστα, καθως καπως μας τα μπερδευει εκει) ειναι η οδηγηση του σταδιου Εξοδου απο FET, που δεν ειναι καθολου ασχημη ιδεα για Ενισχυτικο αυτης της τοπολογιας. Μαλιστα μισοδιακρινονται στις μπαντες του Ενισχυτη κατι φετες ψυγειου που φανταζομαι οτι αφορουν τα FET και το τροφοδοτικο τους.
Και η τιμη δεν ειναι υπερβολικη. Παροτι διατηρω αρκετες επιφυλαξεις για τον δρομο που εχει παρει αυτη η ιστορια που λεγεται αγορα του Ηι Εnd, με την συναινεση ακομη και ορισμενων καταναλωτων, (ποσο μαλλον του ιδιου του εμπορικου κυκλωματος) θα ελεγα οτι μπροστα σε κατι Κινεζικα σκουπιδια που δεν τολμας να βγαλεις βιδα για να μην σου μεινει στο χερι, τα λεει τα Σιξ γκραν.