Hopefully I can address this question--it will be lengthy, so if you're not inclined to hear it all, just move on.
The original owners of DK Design, in fact 'copied' many of the features and designs of an existing product which was quite good. (Think Ford and Mercury in their days of just chrome and sound deadening material differences).
After purchasing DK Design in July of last year, I did a product evaluation, and happily discovered that our units employ Solen Transistors, the same brand used in many well received and respected units such as Gryphon, one of my most respected competitors. (These evals of the existing products even led to the necessity of our having to in fact apply for separate CE Compliance), though given that politically charged entity who knows what the true implications beyond collecting their charges are).
After my evaluation, I decided to further 'distance' our product from its original manufacturer as much as possible by making as many qualitative changes, parts and circuit wise, as was possible, while still being able to hang on to a profit worthy of existence.
The first step was to redesign the Signature amplifier, which to my chagrin, was identical, no make that IDENTICAL, to the original Ref MK III, other than the anodizing color difference. People putting their good money on the line were, in my opinion, being duped, assuming as they should, that the products were different.
I contracted with the (overused but true)Brilliant John Tucker of Exemplar, to make the biggest bang for the buck changes possible in the amplifier, while remaining in the 'black' so to speak.
In the eval, we found many $.25 parts in the pre stage of our integrated. NOW, DON'T be alarmed, you would be shocked at how many of your so called 'HOLY GRAIL' products that employ such items on a wholesale basis--after all this is a business first, and everyone wants to make a profit for their work. So I am not casting aspersions, this is necessary for financial success in some instances. The key to doing this the right way is 'where can I, and how can I best spend the money, so that I don't loose my shirt, but give a great product?'
We started by upgrading passive components in the pre amp section, resistors and capacitors in the pre amp section.
We are now using metal film resistors and Auricaps instead of carbon film resistors and low grade, yet typical for this utililization of caps.
We further did an analysis of the circuit and realized that significant sonic improvements could be made by improving the preamp section through the use of Tube Load Circuitry, which was initially developed by the late John Camille and John Tucker of Exemplar.
This circuit has the effect of allowing the tubes to operate at their theoretic capacity as opposed to, roughly 40% of their capacity.
What does this mean to the listener, technically, and or sonically?
By having the tube work into (see) a significantly higher ac impedance, the sonic result is increased dynamics, speed, and resolution. Instead of replicating the usual, more is better, i.e. using more tubes, we gain advantage through utilization of this technological leap.
We upgraded rectifiers in the power supply for the pre amp stage, (offering similar improvements as mentioned before).
We replace typical internal wiring, selectively with Siltech wiring, from the board to the binding posts, a seemingly small thing to do, but listening tests validate the importance of performing this time consuming task.
Now, after having stated all of the technical changes we have made, what are the sonic implications?
As mentioned, low level resolution, which gives us many of the clues as to sound staging--the juxtaposition of performers recorded in 'real space'--in a word, location and distance, adding dramatically to the sense of realism for the listener.
The sonic sense of the amp, is one of a very organic presentation, given the elimination of some of the omnipresent 'hash' resultant from inexpensive parts such as were used.
Signature amplifiers are put on a work bench, checked cosmetically, full bench tested for all functions, and must meet a rigorous quality control, just to pass muster.
This means that each SIGNATURE is 100% quality controlled.
We can do no more than this to insure that each customer is satisfied.
All of these changes/upgrades/tests are performed in our own facility in the USA.
We do this because the circuit is proprietary, with patent pending.
The Reference Mark III is now, while not being upgraded to this point, (after all it costs about half the price), are being QC'd 100%, with certificates issued for each unit, as they pass through our labs.
We work hard to bring the best value for the dollar product to our customers, which is why, sometimes people are so complimentary on the Audiogon sites. We firmly believe that we offer the best value in our product category available today.
Look for reviews in Stereophile and Bound for Sound in the near future.
Thanks for allowing me to answer these very valid questions.
Larry R. Staples
LSA Group
President/Designer
