Intro
Contents
The Kora TB200 is the second model of 3 integrated amplifiers. It is a tube amplifier, which is faintly visible behind the glass plate, but the amplifier is not a traditional design. How does this affect playback?
Audio designer Bruno Vander Elst has created an amplifier using 4 tubes in the signal path in a symmetrical design. He calls this design Square Tube. In his amplifiers, transistors assist the tubes with current to set the speaker units in motion.
He bought the Kora brand name out of the bankruptcy of the French audio company Kora and he has created an extensive and growing portfolio of products around the square tube design.
Positioning of the Kora TB200
The Kora TB200 is the middle version of 3 integrated amplifiers. Geoffrey reviewed the Kora TB140. An amplifier that I also listened to, but I had the feeling that the TB140 showed potential but did not live up to it completely.
The difference between the TB140 and the TB200 is more than a number. The doubling of price puts a quite a distance between the two models, but internally the differences are also significant:
- The TB200 has dual power supplies instead of one.
- The TB200 has two 300-watt transformers instead of one.
- The number of transistors grows from 4 in the TB140 to 12 in the TB200.
The two models reside in different price segments of the market, but does this translate to sound quality as well?
Connectivity
The TB200 is a hardcore amplifier: 4 RCA inputs and one pair of speaker connections and that is all. The sensitivity of each input can be set separately. If you connect for instance, a DAC, a CD player and a record player preamp, the input volume can be balanced between them, so you do not have to reach for the volume knob every time you switch sources. For this review, the inputs were left at the default setting of 0 db gain.
Appearance
You might expect the finish of the device to be exemplary given the price tag. It is. ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, but the textured grey coating, seamless plate and orange-coloured display is stylish, and the hefty case leaves the impression that you have a quality product in your hands. The included metal remote control matches the quality feel of the product.
Hello,
I’m currently testing a Kora TB140 in my system, replacing my Audiomat Aria. My speakers are PBN Audio Sammy, with a Metronome DSS streamer and a Lampizator Baltic4.
The sound is very good, more detailed, but the magic of the highs and mids is lost compared to the tube amplifier.
The amplifier is plugged directly into the wall outlet, without a crossover. The speaker cables are Organic Audio Reference, and the interconnect cables are Grimm Audio TPR or SQM.
The Kora has only been broken in for four days. Do you think a longer break-in period is necessary to get more midrange? Is the TB200 better for the midrange? Does it perform better at low volumes? I have to set the volume to 24 to hear all the audible frequencies.
Hello,
I think the review states that the TB200 and TB140 are very different amplifiers. Having said that, there’s always a question of balance in a system and a preference for sound signature. I have never heard the Audiomat Aria, so I don’t have a reference how it compares with Kora.
The number 24 of the volume control means nothing, as the manual states. But having a to need to turn the volume up to get a better balanced sound often indicates a loudspeaker which demands a lot of current or current delivery stability across the frequency range. This is where the TB200 is much better, current delivery and control. And which becomes quite evident if you hear the 140 and the 200 side by side.
4 days is a bit short, allow for two weeks. Best thing is to play for two weeks, then have a listen and if you still own the old amplifier, put that back and listen for what you are missing or which improves for you. If your dealer can arrange this, ask for a TB200 for comparison and see if that fits your system or preference better.
Hi Martijn !
thank you for responding so fast !
I have made a call to my dealer, he will send the TB 200 as soon as possible from Kora for the comparison in my place.
At the end of the week, the TB 140 will have over 350 hours burn in, i will do an another comparaison with the Audiomat Aria.
All best
Philippe