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Other Stuff => Archived Manufacturer Circles => Wolf Ear Audio => Topic started by: Wolf Ear Audio on 10 Oct 2017, 08:06 pm

Title: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 10 Oct 2017, 08:06 pm
It's been a while since I've posted, but I have some nice products for you now :)

Up first is our new preamp, Pi'ksii
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1102/1126/products/Piksii_FrontA_1024x1024.png?v=1509725175)
It's a very fast and accurate sounding preamp without the use of a single electrolytic in its design (only film types here. Not a single electrolytic in sight!). This amp is also double choke filtered and tube rectified for all our tube purists!
Entirely single ended, this preamp provides a high input impedance and a low output impedance and can drive very long interconnects. This comes standard with stepped attenuator (made by hand in-house), three switchable inputs and 2 outputs.
More info HERE (https://www.wolfearaudio.ca/products/piksii-single-ended-tube-preamp)

Our next product is a revision of the popular Kitoki
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1102/1126/products/Kitoki_Front_1024x1024.png?v=1509724419)
This is our newest version of our popular Kitoki amp. We've switched to the more linear 6N6P tube for the front end, while keeping the EL84 outputs and increasing power output to 5w per channel.
It comes standard with a stepped attenuator, Teflon film and foil capacitors and three switchable inputs. This is an exceptional value at this price :)
More info HERE (https://www.wolfearaudio.ca/products/kitoki-v2-0-5w-single-ended-stereo-amplifier)

And all our products are made by me, here in Canada!

As a special offer to my circle, I'll give free shipping to anyone who came from Audio Circle, just send me a message or e-mail.

Ask any questions here and I'll try to respond right away :)

Andrew
Title: Re: New Products - Pi'ksii and Kitoki v2
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 13 Oct 2017, 07:42 pm
I've had a few requests for internal photos. I'm currently working on it and I should have some pics for you guys this weekend  8)
Title: Re: New Products - Pi'ksii and Kitoki v2
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 17 Oct 2017, 03:43 pm
Here's a quick pic I took for you guys.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170017)

It's missing the input switch in the picture, but they will be in in a couple days and I can upload another pic once I have them installed  :thumb:
Title: Re: New Products - Pi'ksii and Kitoki v2
Post by: Canada Rob on 18 Oct 2017, 01:32 am
Very nice looking amp and preamp Andrew - inside and out.  My happy experience with the first Kitoki makes me confident both the amp and preamp will sound sensational.  5w/ch will open things up to a wider variety of speakers too  :thumb:
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Armaegis on 18 Oct 2017, 04:25 am
Nice clean lines in that build :)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 18 Oct 2017, 03:16 pm
Thanks for the kind words. Once I finish up my next preamp build, I'll upload pics of that too :)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 28 Oct 2017, 04:08 pm
As promised, here's an internal pic of the Pi'ksii.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170424)

Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: luckyguy on 28 Oct 2017, 04:14 pm
What kind of sound should one expect as compared to 45 or 2A3 calves in a similar configuration?  Am looking to power a pair of TAD horns.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 28 Oct 2017, 04:42 pm
What kind of sound should one expect as compared to 45 or 2A3 calves in a similar configuration?  Am looking to power a pair of TAD horns.

That's all entirely based on topology more than tube type (though both the 45 and 2A3 tend to sound a bit "thicker").
The Kitoki is very neutral, fast sounding and has a bit more power than a single ended 45 or 2A3 amp can muster.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 30 Oct 2017, 05:13 pm
Last couple days for free shipping.

And If you're looking to use your own (or different) coupling capacitors or anything else, that can be arranged as well, just message me here or by e-mail!
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 30 Oct 2017, 06:43 pm
Reminds me of my Bottlehead days  :thumb:

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 30 Oct 2017, 07:03 pm
Reminds me of my Bottlehead days  :thumb:

Best,
Anand.

Bottlehead products are great (I have no association with them, just built a couple of their products).
I highly recommend them.

We use mostly walnut for our wood though (but we can also use anything locally available, just ask)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: paul79 on 30 Oct 2017, 07:06 pm
Are the pics in the first post flip-flopped?
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 30 Oct 2017, 07:09 pm
Are the pics in the first post flip-flopped?
They are not flipped, controls/inputs are on the right side and power/plugs on the left. I can always build it flipped as well if you prefer controls on the left. :)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: opnly bafld on 30 Oct 2017, 08:21 pm
Preamp - Pi'ksii...........with picture of amp.

Amplifier - Kitoki ..........with picture of preamp.

Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 30 Oct 2017, 09:33 pm
Preamp - Pi'ksii...........with picture of amp.

Amplifier - Kitoki ..........with picture of preamp.
Well I feel a bit embarrassed about misunderstanding that.
It's fixed now and the images are in the right spots. :)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: paul79 on 31 Oct 2017, 02:11 pm
Don't be. You build gear rather professionally, so I can let this one slide   ;)

I really like the pre. Very nice build quality. What is the output impedance and max gain? Do you have a hum/noise spec also? I would pair this with sensitive speakers and an amplifier with 25K input impedance, 1V to max power.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 31 Oct 2017, 09:48 pm
Don't be. You build gear rather professionally, so I can let this one slide   ;)

I really like the pre. Very nice build quality. What is the output impedance and max gain? Do you have a hum/noise spec also? I would pair this with sensitive speakers and an amplifier with 25K input impedance, 1V to max power.
This preamp has unity gain (I have yet to encounter any amp that needed additional gain from a preamp, except the F4 from First-Watt, but that's a very special case).
Output impedance is 400 ohms, so you won't have any impedance matching issues with your amp (this preamp was designed to work flat to work into loads as low as 5K, so it could provide a good signal to your sub amp as well as your power amp).
Hum and noise specs to come (it's on my purchase list next year). I run it with my power amps at home (gain of 20) and have no audible hum from my 95db/1w/2.83v sensitivity speakers. Because the preamp has unity gain(no additional gain) it also adds far less noise.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: plakey on 27 Nov 2017, 03:16 am
Howdy all. Has anyone head the Kitoki v2 with Zu's Omen Mk 2? I have these speakers and I'm in the market for an amp for them. Cheers.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Shogun on 28 Nov 2017, 12:23 am
Is the Kitoki v2 the  powerful amplifier you were talking about some months ago? Or it's another amplifier not ready yet? My wish is a KT150 SE with around 25w. :)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 28 Nov 2017, 02:00 am
Those Kitokis have some cute little Edcor appearing transformers. Nice, clean work!

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: Wolf Ear Audio on 30 Nov 2017, 12:46 am
Is the Kitoki v2 the  powerful amplifier you were talking about some months ago? Or it's another amplifier not ready yet? My wish is a KT150 SE with around 25w. :)
That one still won't be ready for some time, though it is next on the list after the monoblocks I have planned.

Howdy all. Has anyone head the Kitoki v2 with Zu's Omen Mk 2? I have these speakers and I'm in the market for an amp for them. Cheers.
They should be more than adequate for those speakers and power them to very loud levels and sound very fast and clean.

Those Kitokis have some cute little Edcor appearing transformers. Nice, clean work!

Best,
Anand.

Thanks for the kind words. They sound very good and actually have lower power losses than any other transformer I have tried :)
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 30 Nov 2017, 01:24 am
Thanks for the kind words. They sound very good and actually have lower power losses than any other transformer I have tried :)

I’m strongly considering their big brother for a compactron design that will put out a whoppin’ 4.6 watts triode :cyclops:

Best,
Anand. 
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: jtwrace on 30 Nov 2017, 01:32 am
I’m strongly considering their big brother for a compactron design that will put out a whoppin’ 4.6 watts triode :cyclops:

Best,
Anand.
Don't do it!   :duh:
Title: Re: New Products, Pi'ksii (Tube Preamp) and Kitoki v2 (Single Ended Tube Amp)
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 30 Nov 2017, 02:19 am
Don't do it!   :duh:

It’s for my daughter’s system  :wink:

Best,
Anand.