EL84/6P15P Single Ended Triode with 6N1P- EV drivers. In excellent condition, lightly used, no marks or scratches.
I use it with Omega single driver speakers and Omega sub.
Amazing sound. I like it so much, that this add is to test the waters only. If I can't sell it , I will keep it. The reason I want to sell it is that it's designer, Andrew, is offering to build me a bigger one. My wife has a policy "One comes, one must go!", so I can't keep them both.
It's a better amp than the current V2 version, as Andrew explains: "The biggest difference between the two is that the V2 output in in Ultralinear operation. It gives more power output but at the cost of more distortion.
The original Kitoki actually used better output transformers and a tube rectified power supply. These were changed for the V2 to get the price down and the power output up (it's about 300USD cheaper than the original)."
As another owner describes it (much better than my attempts):
"This is a real world amplifier, the designer description of fast and natural is bang on and it’s easy to use to boot. The superior power supply design and incorporation of a large choke filter also make it forgiving to mains power line noise.
Case work is some of the best, solid, thick and dampened which makes isolation a breeze. The transformers are huge for the power rating, the amp itself feels a lot heavier than it looks. It runs very cool as well which helps with placement and heat input into the room.
In comparison to other brand EL84 amps I’ve used the Kitoki has more drive, bigger yet tighter base control, and a thicker yet natural midband. It actually sounds like a bigger amp. Also in comparison, due to the superior power supply it remains sounding good when the mains power (120 VAC) is not at its best, e.g. early evening or when weather turns bad (wind/rain). Staging is first class, wide, tall and deep with exceptional delineation/placement of the parts.The amp is dead quiet, even on 100 db speakers."
I use it with PS Audio Junior DAC , and smallgreen computer optical system as Roon end point. Very rarely I use also PS audio memory player.
This is my second system, so no much use.
All the tubes are cheap, I wouldn't waste time buying expensive ones, but change those more often. For 4 years, I change it twice, the first time - just to try more expensive ones - waste of money.
As you can see, I also use Pi'ksii - Tube Only Single Ended Stereo Preamp with it.
I bought it for a project that do not exist anymore. I don't think there's is an improvement of the sound, just a little different, more " lush" for the expense of sound stage width. I would like to keep the preamp, so I can use it with my SS amp, but if you are interested, can negotiate.
Includes original packaging, power cord, printout of manual, tubes are optional, will be included for local pick up, just don't want to go trough the hassle of packing them.
Specs and notes from Wolf Ear Audio:
Class A Single Ended Triode (SET) Stereo Amplifier
point-to-point wired, designed and built in Canada
very minimalist design with only the best parts, the Kitoki is so fast, natural and honest sounding.
Power Supply
This amplifier used a single EZ81 tube for its power rectification.
All the capacitors used in the power supply are high quality film capacitors, which are faster and outperform even the very best electrolytic capacitors.
This also employs a large choke filter for even better performance and lower noise.
Driver and Output Stage
Both the driver and output stage are a constant current draw design and provide an easy load for the power supply which provide an easy and very linear load for the power stage.
This amp is designed for use with the excellent 6DJ8/6N1P-EV types, which utilizes one section for the voltage gain and the other section for drive to the output tube.
The output tube uses the EL84/6P15P-EV types with a constant current output stage for lowest distortion.
The output transformers used in this amplifier are ultra high fidelity and super wide frequency response. No compromises were made.
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KITOKI
In Blackfoot, this name means Prairie Chicken, a small and beautiful wild bird with a lot of personality, and this is a small amp, so we thought the name was fitting.
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Specifications
Power Output: 2 Watts RMS. Includes Output taps to 4 and 8 ohm speakers.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-100kHz, +/-1dB (note that new V2 amp is 30Hz to 20kHz)
Distortion: Less than 2% at full output
Feedback: None used
Input Impedance: 50K Ohms
Volume Control: attenuator upgraded to optional ladder step!
Input Voltage: Just under 2V for maximum power output
Driver Tube: NOS 6N1P-EV Included with amplifier
Output Tube: NOS 6P15P-EV Included with amplifier
Rectifier Tube: EZ81 Included with amplifier
Power Usage: Less than 80 watts
Size: 320mm(W) x 220mm(L) x 80mm(H)
Weight: 7.8kg (18lbs)
Total cost of this build was $2110USD, purchased in early 2016.
Asking $800 plus shipping.
