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  3. 1238460557

Having guarantee issues with KR Audio?

One of my KR Baloon tubes decided to permanently sleep in this morning, so I spoke with Israel Blume of Coincident, and it seems that not only is KR Audio not going to be supplying tubes for amps other than their own any longer; but getting them to honor their 6 month guarantee is also a problem. He cited a case where they said that the tube being returned was "not used properly". Not used properly in a Coincident amp??
The tubes I got through Coincident were purchased in December. DECEMBER! I checked the KR website, and clearly they claim to have a 6 month guarantee.
The best he could do is to offer me a replacement tube he has in stock for $300.00. I'm going to buy it, but man am I steaming.
I just wondered if there are any other KR tube users who wanted to rant.
azaud

Showing 2 responses by as70

as70
3 posts
 
I had the same issue with KR and Coincident, one of tubes broke after 150 hours or so. Coincident refused to replace the tube and asked to talked to KR. They said I should ask Coincident. After several e-mail exchange I gave up.
A few months later I met owner of KR personally at Audio Show in my country. She promised me to replace the tube and after a few days I receive the matching tube.

Beware that not every 300B tube would work with Frenkenstein and for some of them its dangerous. There is no information about it at Coincident site. Here are parameters of Frenkenstein, You can consult it with a technician or compare to recommended by manufactures max values.
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Plate Voltage 580 Volt
catode Voltage 97.5 Volt
Plate Current 97.5mA
Plate Disspation 56,55 Watt
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Anyway, I'm going to sell Frenkeinstein, I still prefer my second amp, ASL Cadenza (modified). For me Frenkeinstein suffers of typical 300b limitations.
as70
3 posts
 
Regarding 300b compatibility with Frankenstein - at least Mesh plate 300B from Sophia Electric does not work. I have purchased them after KR failure and listen to no more then one hour. Strong distortion so I was afraid of failure. Confirmed by Sophia Electric that tubes are not suitable in my amplifier. I sold tubes and they work very well in typical 300b amp.

I also purchased Emission Labs 320B-XLS - no problems and borrowed Full Music mesh for a few hour. Owner of Full Music noticed that anode shines too much and was affraid of failure.

Regarding the sound of Frenkeinstein - maybe I try another 300b - but at the moment I think this amp is for 300b enthusiast, not for me. Experienced 300b audiophiles told me, that limitations I hear are "generic" 300b feature and every 300b SET they heard more or less suffers of slow and "exaggerated" bas not managed to keep the rhythm - and some high frequencies roll-offs. Speaker compatibility is not an issue as I own Coincident Total Victory 3 (great speakers, I like them very much)

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