SET Asylum: REVIEW: KR Enterprise KRONZILLA T-1610 Amplifier (Tube) by sayjul

Model:	KRONZILLA T-1610
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$24000.00
Description:	A Dual Mono-block hybrid amplifier, solid state mosfet driver and triode SE power stage in pure class A. 42+42 Watts RMS, SET. The Beast from the East! The worlds most definitive statement in power & accuracy. If you want to drive big power hungry horns - these are JUST the ticket! A true single-ended triode power amplifier.
Manufacturer URL:	KR Enterprise
Manufacturer URL:	KR Enterprise

Review by sayjul ( A ) on March 11, 2005 at 08:51:45
IP Address: 24.2.197.124

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Well, it is time to give some review at this wonderful amps, as know "The Beast from the East". I own them for a while now, about 3 years to be exact, bough it used from a Audio web site. I'm in this hobby for more than fifteen years, my first stereo was a Realistic from Radioshack back in 1985, I was 14 years old back then so for me it was the BOMB. I enjoy it very much. Then time when by so I got better equipment, the rest is history. So in early 2002 I diced to go with SET, that's when I purchased the Humongous T-1610 Amps, Towering over 13 inches Tubes, 3 inches Diameter, each Tube is capable of producing 21watts of pure class A, unadulterated, single-ended triode power. The T-1610 features a new ribbon filament construction and KR Audio's patented distributed cathode with 64 cathode elements. These amplifiers seem to combine the very Best of both Tube and Solid State sound, Speed, Excellent bottom end, detail and superb dynamic range, stunning midrange, sound stage filled with air and dimensionality, I've never experienced from any other amplifier of any design. There was an immediate sense that the soundstage and image focus were both exceptional, finest treble presentation, with sparkling, glorious highs complete with air, shimmer, and layers upon layers of harmonically rich detail. Imaging and life-like sound quality, especially in the area of harmonic reproduction, is at the state of the art level, for the first time I could actually see and hear where each sound started and stopped and to put the cherry on top, these amps have the Best bass I've heard from a tube amp. The Kronzilla represents a stunning piece of industrial design. Every time I listen to them they give me goose-bumps, How about price? Well my buddy think that these amp or any KR product are over price, In my opinion for the power reserve of the Kronzilla, NO WAY. I've seen 5-watt and 10-watt 300B based amps priced at $10k and beyond. It's look like the current cost per SET watt is on the order $1,000. In that case, the Kronzilla should have been priced at something like $40k or more. At its asking price, the Kronzilla DM represents a stunning piece of industrial design and a bargain to boot. So if you are looking for Live! music from your source, try a pair of these babies for a thrill, you won't be disappointed. You've got to experience a KR amp if you want to know just how good certain recordings can sound. My system has come closer to a live performance. I give these amps my Highest Recommendation.

Bernie Ayala

Product Weakness: The only thing I can think of which I hate to said it is the Tubes, When is time to replace them (5 years or more, who knows) is going to cost you BIG Bucks, I have no problem with that so if you can afford a Ferrari it means that you can afford the tune-up. Besides that these are the Best Tube in The World! All Hand Made no machine, totally hand-built requiring a minimum of 120 hours for the simplest tube, KR Audio exclusive patent design with 64 cathodes, Bottom line the T-1610 is AMAZING! Tube.
From: Eunice Kron
The difference is basically and fundamentally that KR tubes cannot really be compared to other tubes because those use either an extruded tungsten filament or an extuded thiorated tungsten filament. This old or "normal" technological process used for mass produced tubes make them very similiar to light bulbs; they light up and emit heat. The KR tubes have as their basic structure a ribbon filament with an oxide coating. This enables the tube to dissipate correctly and marshall its 'dynamics' in a more focused way. Dr. Kron was constantly chagrined when this question was brought up. In simple physics, the more light wasted as light and heat, the shorter the life of the tube. The heating and light stress the tube and lower its duration and reliability.
It is right and based on a good engineering point of view, to have this sliver of light you see. The KR tube is functioning properly. As Riccardo used to say "a tube is not a fireplace".
Product Strengths: Everything you can think of. Hearing is Believing.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	KR AUDIO Kronzilla DM T-1610
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	n/a
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Wadia 860x
Speakers:	Duevel Bella Luna Diamante
Cables/Interconnects:	Two PC FIM Gold, One PC BMI Orca Limited MkII, Stealth Indra 1.5m RCA, Transparent Reference XL V speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Dead Can Dance, Patricia Barber, Poncho Sanchez, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente.
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 18 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Golden Sound Acoustic Discs, RoomTune, Walker Audio.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Audio Magic, Audio Power Industries
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner