Klyne vs 47 Labs phono stage


Hi,
I currently use a 47 Labs phonocube. I have the option of buying a used Klyne System 6 phonostage. Can anyone suggest if the Klyne 6 series would be an upgrade over the 47 labs phonocube ?
pani

Showing 6 responses by lewm

Pani, As you may know, the last and still latest Klyne models go up to "7".  The "6" series is second tier in terms of cost, with the 7 series at the top. There are some variations in this theme; I once knew for sure what is the difference between the 6 and the 7 that confers the higher price on the latter, because externally they look identical.  I think it was provision for balanced output and the use of an outboard power supply in the 7, which mainly allowed for a beefier power transformer and more filter capacitance.  Further, there was and maybe still is ongoing evolution in the phono section, for both the 6 and the 7 series.  Further, further, there are two subtypes within the 6 series, 6LE and 6LX. The LX series has an outboard PS, identical to that of the 7 series.  So a 6LX is pretty much the same as a single-ended version of the 7 series, assuming all 7s have balanced option.  I own a 6LX for which I built my own outboard supply; I got it at a low price, because the PS was missing entirely.  I then sent it back to Stan Klyne for work on the phono section.  I think he can install the very latest 7 series phono circuit into a 6 series, or at least the 6LX.  I opted for second best, because of the cost differential. My point is that not all these Klyne preamplifiers are created equal.  My only regret with my 6LX is that I did not opt for the max phono circuit; I may yet send it back to Stan for that.  He was very helpful to me when I was building the outboard PS, as well.  A very nice guy.  Thus, I recommend you find out what phono stage is built into the 6 that you are contemplating; the sonics will vary depending upon the answer to that question.  Stan may be able to help you figure out what version you have there, if you supply him with the serial number.

Bottom line: I do believe that a max'd out 6 or 7 series is in the same league with the other units you mention or maybe better, but like ebm says, only you can be the judge of that.
Dear JMcgrogan,  So I am wondering why you sold your Klyne?  I find my 6LX to be great as a line stage and maybe not as good as my best sounding tube phono stages, but maybe only because I cut corners on having Stan Klyne upgrade my phono.  As I said, I now wish I had asked him to max it out.  I think the 5.0 version, the one you had, is probably his best.
We're even.  You wish you had not had to sell your Klyne, and I wish I had been willing to allow Stan Klyne to max out mine.  The Allnic also interests me. Without trying to compare it to your Klyne, how do you like the Allnic, perhaps compared to some other tubed unit you may have owned? Thanks.

Dear J, Yes, as mentioned, I did talk to Stan Klyne 2-3 times, regarding both the outboard PS that I built myself for my unit and the state of tune I eventually chose for the phono section in my 6LX, which he rebuilt.  I agree he is a very nice person; he and I share an interest in Beveridge speakers, and I tried to hook him up with a pair of 2SWs that were then for sale in Canada. My ulterior motive was to get him to take a look at the schematic for the solid state input stage of the Beveridge direct-drive amplifiers.

I've communicated with Mr Park, as well, but only by email and only with respect to a Silvaweld phono stage that I own. He too comes across as a very nice person.  However, he could not help me, because he does not have the schematic for my unit. (As you may know, he was the designer of Silvaweld components, before he started Allnic.) Also, I sensed that English is not easy for him.

nkj, I’ve got Beveridge 2SWs and two full function preamplifiers that alternatively drive them with phono input most of the time, the Klyne 6LX described above and a vintage Quicksilver tube unit. While I do like the Klyne, lately I have been heavily favoring the Q. I really do need to go back and have another listen to the Klyne however. This thread got me pumped. But I am also pumped to send my unit back to Stan Klyne to have him max out the phono section. Yes, he is still in business in a silent way; at least he WAS in business a year or two ago.

There’s been not a word from Pani lately on this subject. I wonder what he decided to do.

Dear Pani, I don't quite get it; if you are very pleased with the Klyne, and if it is tube-like to your ears, why insist on actual tubes in the signal chain?  Unless there is some particle of goodness you still feel is missing.  In which case, I too am a big fan of full-function preamplifiers.  IMO, the best tube preamplifier I have ever heard is the Atma-sphere MP1, but I admit to bias, since I have owned mine for about 15 years and have no intention of parting with it.  Is fully balanced, too. On the bargain side, I am very pleased with my vintage Quicksilver preamplifier.  It has no model number or fancy name.  I bought mine off AA, sorted it out a bit, upgraded capacitors, and inserted Telefunken ECC83s, and I am shocked at how good it is.  It is DEAD quiet, too.  It has a massive transformer, choke-loaded PS, tube rectifiers: really high end stuff built before the current megabuck era.  

Can you confirm my notion that the Klyne 7 has balanced inputs and output?