by JackD201 » Tue Oct 23, 2012 11:29 am
For the longest time, we've had a gaping hole in our product line up, two holes actually.
First is that while we have a range of solid state integrated amps we had no tube integrated amps. With the addition of KR Audio to our stable, we now have the push pull KT88 VA880, the KT120 VA900 Keith posted above (Giant Killer) and add to that a wide range of SET integrateds 300B XLS, 211, 845. The other hole is high powered tube amplification. While Lamm has discontinued the ML1.1 pending the long overdue revision, our most powerful tube amp was the 30wpc ML3 at, gulp, $150,000. We now once again have 100w, 150w and 200w tube amps.
Comparisons have been very interesting. Lamm being Lamm, the other brand to join it in the stable must be able to measure up. Lamm is after all is one of the few brands in the world to be so widely loved and respected. We are very happy to say that the KR family does measure up. Both are very holographic, both display great inner detail and nuance, both can handle complex passages with ease, both sound ALIVE. The three key differences are in the presentation. The LAMM- VS combo produces a soundscape that extends in front of the speaker plane and way back. It's an immersive bubble of sound and you are in it. The KRs start closer to the speaker plane and extend rearward a tad more. This leads to the second difference, the immersion factor of the Lamms presents details with a fine embroidery of texture. While detail is there with the KR, the slightly farther perspective makes these of fine silk. Again due to the perspective or perhaps the reason for it in the first place is the way the two handle bass. Lamms are known for their tight control of the bass region. The KR's have a slightly lower damping factor that is particularly flattering on male vocals, cellos and upright bass.
There is a definite synergy with VS speakers . So much so that we are the fifth country behind the Netherlands, USA, France and Singapore where distribution is under the same roof. We sealed the deal in Singapore when visiting Albert and our Sing counterpart Danny when they showed the VR-11s with four DX Mk2s as posted by dimfer above.
If you see the picture Keith posted above, you will notice my pair of custom parallel 300B amps made by Hypertriode. Look closely and you will see that they are fitted with KR 300B classics. Yes folks we took on the line of tubes too! You guys know how close we are to our buddies in the DIY community. With NOS prices going crazy, we are happy to be able to provide real handmade, artisan quality drop in replacements for your favorite DHTs as well as new variants of the classic tubes to test their design skills around. How about a 25 watt 300B variant? Yep. We got that for you.
See you all at the show!!!!!!!!!!!!