Shoot-out Klyne 7xp3.5 vs IO Signature

Hello,

I've had the Klyne for a little while and actually have been too busy to report back. The Io has a sense of stage space and air that is expansive it's lowest resgisters on my system are slightly plump. The top end of the Io does not sound unnatural but some may argue that it is not hyper extended and have a shimmering quality. My system is quiet. With the Io I have no noise problems.

The Klyne is clean clean, with an extended top end and and very defined punchy lower register. It does not have quite the expansiveness of width of the Io. It's stage depth is very good. This is an exceptional solid state unit that I could easily live with and from a form factor point of view certainly is preferable to the Io. It does not grand stand and draw attention to itself. Very refined with great user adjustable features that will play with audio neurotics fears for some time.

I am keeping both for now and continue to build my opinion. On the used market, if you can find one, I would recommend the Klyne.

Lewm,

I should really post my system. For now:

· Oracle V
· SME V
· Garrard 301 here:
http://gallery.audioasylum.com/cgi/view.mpl?u=127&f=DSC00407.JPG&v=f&UserImages=127&session=&&moniker=AJ&invite=&w=675&h=506
· Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum, Lyra Helikon, Benz Ruby 2
· Aesthetix Io Signature, 2 supplies, with volume controls
· Wyetech Topaz 211C
· Berning ZH-270
· Quad ESL Piquet refurb. and Quad USA monitors
· Valhalla cables

An admiration for vintage too with:

· Futterman H3
· Citation II
· Marantz 2
· Others

Music taste run to jazz, vocal and will rock out from time to time. The bass "quality" with the Esl’s is quite good.

Regards,

Care to elaborate Syntax?

Additonally, how would you describe the Phantom vs. Triplanar, vs. Grandenza from a practicality, robustness and tone perspective?

Looking for a new arm on the 301.. thanks,

Thank-you, Syntax, for your observations.

Lewm,

I have certainly had the Futterman in the line-up. Funny, even with this 40year old + piece of equipment you can see very clearly in to the illusion. It is uncanny. The Futterman is grainy but suits the quads well. I have never had an explosion or failure either so I have not experienced the pyrotechnics some speak of with this amp.

It's voltage regulation and bias seem to hunt around a bit, but this is more a function of the tubes and their reflection back to the circuit. I really like that amp. I used to own acoustat model threes and acoustat X's (sorry I sold them, warts and all). I have heard regularly, big dyna audios, revels and audio physic and for all the limitations of the quads, not ready to give them up yet. I like the Verity line-up and might consider it in future. Never, heard Sound lab (would love to!) I know I would love them.

One combo I have not tried yet is the Klyne with the Berning.. now talk about punchy bass!

Regards,

Hi Lewm,

We are getting side tracked here on this thread! I already have solen film bypasses on the output electrolytics. The value of the output caps is in excess of 600 uf if memory serves... I always planned to get a pair of these:

http://www.eci-capacitors.com/PDFs/UL30_Series_21.pdf

Never got around to ordering some.. the form factor is larger so I would have to be creative to mount them without modifying the chassis. All the caps in my amp have been changed from the awful Goodalls to modern films for reliability.

Cheers,