It is simply the best integrated amplifier on the market period. I have been a serious audiophile for 15 years and this component virtually does it all. I would say that it is in the same leage with many expensive separates and I know some people who replaced Audio Research and Krell separates. I highly recommend that you audition one. |
I am still surprised that there are DK bashers out there. And what was wrong with DK's marketing prior to LSA Group purchase? To my knowledge, DK is the only company that gave out 3 brand-new amps to regular audiogon members who have been on Audiogon since the beginning and then asked them to write a completely unbiased review that is not driven by advertising dollars. To me this sounds like a company that means business and is willing to prove it. Lets see Krell do something like this. And do you think the reviews on the Krell will be nearly as good as the reviews on the DK, given that they are completely unbiased? |
Charlie,
Sean is looking for an amp that has some slam along with a nice midrange. On your list, the Cary, BAT, and Jadis have no slam whatsoever, although they do have a nice midrange. During demanding passages, these amps will simply fall appart and warp the bass next to the DK. I have not heard the Graaf or the deHavilland. In any case, I have no idea where you come up with the idea that those amps will embarass the DK. I have done several side by side comparisons, and I am particularly offended by your reference to the Cary 300sei - it neither has the midrange OR the low frequency performance of the DK. It just doesn't compare.
Also, and this is not a subjective statement, but a factual statement, the DK will embarass virtually all those amps when it comes to build quality and parts quality. Lets open up a Cary and the DK and inspect the parts inside. That will put the argument to rest.
I think the VAC is the only contender that will sound better then the DK, in that it has an addictive midrange presentation but still with lots of kick in the bass for a tube amp - as it should be since it costs $20K. |
Snofun,
Let's look at all of your comments individually:
1. You are implying with 100% confidence that DK forged all of those threads. Well there are lots of people in this thread claiming that the DK is an awesome amp and many of them have been members for along time and post on many other topics. Your argument does not hold up. Finally, how can you prove that threads and posts by new members are not valid. Sometimes, many new people go out and buy a product and post their experiences for the first time.
2. How do you know the wanted ads were false?
3. Whats wrong with dozens of repetitve ads?
4. How do you know that this dealer in Nevada was a creation of the owner of DK? What proof or evidence do you have?
5. The membership could have put DK to the test and DK could have politely declined. THere are dozens of other very well known manufacturers who make BS claims and yet I am sure they will decline to have their products officially reviewed by Audiogon members.
6. Clearly DK has succeded in this industry and you are most likely jelous of their success. As far as I know, the owner of DK sold the company to LSA Group and made a fortune. While you probably have a miserable job.
7. Most of the DK bashers have never heard the product and I suspect that some are competitors who lurk in these forums.
8. As much as you think that DK's marketing strategies were outrageous, they built up a network of 70 dealers and huge network of international distributors just shortly after opening doors. It usually takes other manufacturers many years to build up this kind of distirbution.
9. Fianlly, with the size and scope of DK's business, I seriously doubt that the owner of DK would be sitting here posting fake threads as this would not in any way impact the companies sales. Remember - this forum is for geeks and seriously disturbed audiophiles.
So with all of these considerations, the correct question is, whats right with DKs marketing? And how can other people learn from their success? |
Charlie101,
Here is an excerpt from a review of the DK VS-1 Mk. 2:
"The VS-1 MK 2 looks cool, but how does it sound? A few years back, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Gryphon Callisto 2100, and thought it was the best integrated ever. Its $5700 price was way out of my range, or it would have been on my shelf. The VS-1 MK 2 does everything the 2100 did, and more. In terms of dynamics, it positively threatens to jump off the rack. It immediately reminded me of the Callisto in this regard, but goes it one better, portraying more depth and musical dimension. This leads me to its second distinction—soundstage and imaging. The VS-1 MK 2 is the best amplifier I have heard in this regard."
So what will you say now Charlie Charles? Who has more credibility, you or a professional reviewer? How do you say with such certainty that those other amps will crush the DK? Maybe you need to sharpen your listening skills? |
Beyond the subjective listing tests and parts quality, there are also the measurements. The DK is an amp that measures better then most separates in the $10K - $20K range. Starting with the square wave response, have you looked at the traces? Perfect at 1kHz!
So while you can trash the sound all day long based on your "subjective" evaluation, you definitely get the specs that you paid for, and this means that you are getting an almost perfect reproduction of the input signal.
All of your attempts to trash this product can only be viewed as an alterior motive to accompish something that is beyond the scope of these threads. |
Snofun, my post was actually meant for Charlie101. In regards to specs, they definetly stand for competent engineering. In this industry there are people who will convince you that if you rub your interconnect a certain way that your system will sound better. So this brings me to my question Charlie, how do you determine that the amps on your list crush the DK? It is all based on whim, and this is completely subjective.
Finally, in regards to uninformed/uneducated audiophiles you are the best example of that. A flat frequency response definitely does not determine the quality or performance of a speaker since even the cheapest 50 cent drivers can be equalized to be flat. However, in order for an amplifier to put out a perfect square wave this requires it to act like an almost perfect voltage source, with an incredible fast rise time, and signal tracking accuracy. This does translate into better sound.
I challange you to find a cheap amplifier with a good squarewave response. You will see that all cheap and low quality amps have a terrible square wave. This is the one spec that really does tell you a lot about the quality of a component. |
Trelja,
I misunderstood me. I never said that the square wave behavior of an amplifier should form the basis of a buying decision for an audiophile and a music lover. The square wave response is only an indication of competent engineering and a good quality, well manufactured piece of equipment. It should serve only as an indicator that this particular component is worth checking out, simply because there is a high degree of chance that it might turn out to be a terrific performer. But of course, if after some listening the listener doesnt like the sound there is no reason whatsoever that he should buy this component. As in the case of Halcro, the company has terrific measurements but not everyone likes the sound of their equipment.
On to Jadis. I never said that Jadis was a bad amplifier. I said that the particular audiogon member who was looking specifically for an amplifier that has great bass, dynamics, lots of power, and good midrange reproduction at the same time. I think the Jadis is sublime at capturing certain types of musical pieces, particularly small scale quartets and closely miked female vocals. But I am sorry, it WILL fall appart on say Mahler Symphony #5 played at realistic volume levels or Tchaikovsky Overture 1812. Or any kind of high energy rock music, the Jadis simply will not keep up with the DK. Have you ever tired playing Metallica through the Jadis?
But ultimately I think the Jadis is an awesome amp and depending on the speakers and listening preferences it may just be the ticket for a serious music lover. |
You can try his personal email address which is danielkhesin@yahoo.com
Him and I corresponded a little bit at this address shortly after he sold the company. He should get back to you quickly. |
Or, Ellery, maybe the sample DK sent to Stereophile was a problematic one and hence the poorer then expected measurements? And therefore this is the reason why the reviewer thought the DK could compete with amps in the $5k - $7K range, but not with amps over $10K as claimed in many other reviews? You see, the measurements correlate with sound quality beautifully... |
