In Reply to: KSS OTL amp? posted by jc on May 25, 1999 at 22:09:43:
One of my friends bought a KSS about 2 years ago. It blew up within a few months and was back at the factory. KSS then offered to exchange the amps for the 'new' design, at a higher price. Friend agreed. About a year later the new amps arrive, and blow up. Friend buys 12 power tubes from me and invites me over to listen and compare to our Atma-Sphere. He installs new tubes, things are OK for a few days, but before I can come over, amps blow again. He has has music for less than 3 months of the approximate 2 years of ownership. He thinks I might be able to help with a 'fix' for the amps, so opens them up to have look inside before bringing them over. He finds most of the circuit is potted. He calls KSS. They say potting is necessary because the circuit is SO good, everone will copy it and put him out of business. [Phoey, poor reliability will put him out of business.]Amps are still dead. Owner is frustrated at the ever increasing investment and lack of operating time. Sooner or later this fellow will sour on OTLs in general and never consider ANY other OTL, even an Atma-Sphere, or he will break down and buy an Atma-Sphere and enjoy solid reliability with good musical character. Personally, I was looking forward to hearing the KSS amps, but it looks as if I will be waiting for some time. Meanwhile, Mike and I are enjoying OUR Atma-Spheres all day long, every day, with only one small failure [ a switch ] in several years of every day operation.Jennifer
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Follow Ups
- Re: KSS OTL amp? - Jennifer WhiteWolf Crock 18:07:55 06/09/99 (0)