K&K phono stage

Scheu Analog Premier, Micro Seiki MA-505, Dynavector 20XL.

The K&K is the quietest phono stage I have heard in my system. I bought mine used so I did not have to build it. They occasionally pop up here. Kevin Carter will build it for you as well if you buy one new.

Mine has the DaCT volume control which I had disabled. When I purchased it the phono stage already had the lower cost Cardas cap upgrade, but not the Black Gate/front end upgrade. I sent it in for the Black Gate/front end upgrade and this made a nice improvement. I also had Kevin take the MC 47k ohm setting and customize it so I can plug and play any resistors to fine tune the load. Overall I believe the only thing lacking in my version versus the newer version is the Mundorf caps, which require the newer and larger circuit board to accommodate them. Mine also used 6N1P tubes but I believe Kevin can change the circuit to accommodate 6N23P tubes which is part of the 6922/6DJ8 family. Makes for more tube swapping options if that is what you prefer.

This phono stage is similar (not exact) to the Art Audio Vinyl Reference in build as Kevin designed that phono stage as well. It is well worth the asking price new and a bargain at used prices.

To answer your first question the original K&K SE has a knob on the back that let you select different cartridge load settings. For MC if I recall it was limited to 100, 300, 1000, and 47k ohms. I had Kevin take the setting for 47k ohms and set up the circuit board so I could plug in resistors to configure my own setting for this position. The new version of the K&K SE has a lot more settings for cartridge loading from what I have heard so maybe this tweak is unnecessary now.

I cannot answer your second question.