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Pulltube crashing7/30/2023 ![]() ![]() To be sure, a hybrid topology represents a departure from the classic, vintage tube approach, but is in keeping with KR Audio's design philosophy of minimizing distortion and maximizing musical resolution. Single-ended triode (SET) power amplifier designs are a throwback to the 1920s, having virtually disappeared from the marketplace by the late 40s, displaced by the engineering "common sense" of push-pull designs. United States during the early 90s, I can't recall anything but all-tube SET designs. ![]() ![]() First of all, KR Audio's core business is tube production. (JFET and MOSFET) up until the output stage. It is be a bit surprising to realize that the signal path is entirely solid-state It's now time to turn our attention to the bigger picture and take stock of an amplifier that was designed to unleash the Kronzilla's full power. So far I have focused my attention on the most visible asset of the Kronzilla DM, namely its twin towers of power, which on my pair of review samples were protected by the optional but extremely stylish "Butterfly Wing" tube guards. KR Audio confidently guarantees its tubes for one full year. Tube life has been extensively tested and is said to typically exceed 10,000 hours. Batch lots are tested for static measurements, and then dynamic functions to assure years of trouble-free operation. Each tube undergoes multiple QC inspections and tests. Each tube is evacuated to a residual pressure reading of one billionth of a Torr - a hard vacuum that is several orders of magnitude superior to standard industrial production techniques. ![]() Much effort is spent on ensuring a perfect vacuum, as a high vacuum is considered to be the most critical aspect of a thermionic tube. Of course, these manufacturing methods would not do for large-scale mass market needs, but are ideally suited to meet high-end audio demands at production rates up to about 300 tubes per month. The whole manufacturing process takes days to finish. Take, for example glass shaping, which is not only labor intensive but also requires considerable skill. Tube production at KR Audio remains a unique and fascinating mixture of artisan hand labor and special tooling. The company has retained its core expertise in tube manufacturing and has continued to expand its own line of high-end audio amplifiers. Kron, and with Marek Gencev as chief engineer, KR Audio is firmly in control of its destiny. Today, under the leadership of the lady boss, Eunice From its humble beginnings, and despite of initial skepticism and distrust, production of both old and new tube types became firmly established. KR Audio was built up in the early 90s from the remains of the Tesla tube works, enlisting former employees and critical tooling. Kron, to rekindle tube technology after about 30 years of nothing more than copycat tube production. It was left to a visionary, such as the late Dr. Tubes had lost the war - at least for mass-market applications. By the early 70s, tube technology R&D dollars dried up as it became crystal clear that the transistor tide could not be stopped. At about the same time, RCA was promoting its most advanced research product - the nuvistor - a miniaturized, metal encapsulated, tube with ruggedized performance for military applications. In addition, The T-1610 features a new ribbon filament construction and KR Audio's patented distributed cathode with 64 cathode elements.ĭuring the early 60s, with tube technology under assault from semiconductor devices, engineers at GE unveiled the Compactron tube, a concoction of several tube types housed in a common envelope and aimed initially at compacting radio design. A small tube simply does not possess the anode heat capacity to safely sink and dissipate the thermal load. And yes, size does matter: the Kronzilla is capable of producing 22 watts of pure, unadulterated, single-ended triode power. But I got over it once they settled securely into their sockets. $2,750 tube statuette slip through my fingers and go crashing to the floor. Oh yes, during handling of the tubes, I have to admit to a slight fear of letting this From its brass base and meticulous internal construction, to its hard glass envelope, this handcrafted colossus is a thing of beauty. Tube-aholic such as yours truly, has mainly been instant adoration. And while, in some quarters, it has earned the appellation of the Beast from the East, its effect on an unrepentant Kronzilla, represents the most substantial audio power triode put into production since the days of the Western Electric 212E. T owering over 13 inches, the T-1610 a.k.a. KR Audio Kronzilla DM (Dual Monoblock) Power Amplifier ![]()
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