The set-up and power supply
Contents
Speakers
Audio Physic Spark ii
Ricable Dedalus Mk1 speaker cable
Vinyl
Rega P6 with Ania MC cartridge
Graham Slee Reflex C phono stage
Chris Cables Core Function RCA
CD
Audiolab 6000CDT
Art Speak SPDIF
Streaming
Naim ND5XS
Grimm Audio TPR RCA
Raspberry Pi4 with Audirvāna Core Studio and SBooster power supply
Dlink DGS-108 switch with LHY LPS25VA power supply
Belden Catsnake Cat5e ethernet cable
Power
Audes ST900 balanced power transformer
Essential Audio Tools cables
The second system
The Kora TB200 was also listened to in the studio at the Nieuwplaatz in Leiden, with the Tannoy Gold speakers and using the Rega Planet CD player as a transport to the Weiss DAC2. The interlinks used are the same Grimm Audio TPR cables.
Power supply
Using the Audes
All amplifiers react differently to (different) power conditioners. Testing is always done with and without conditioner.
The Kora responds well to the Audes. The Kora is already quiet by itself, which makes no difference. With the Audes, more detail in instruments is audible, but unexpected is the change in sound. The sound comes closer to the natural sound of instruments, you can hear better what the character of an instrument or a voice sounds like.
The stereo image grows in all directions, but that is as expected. The surprise is that the amplifier sounds more dynamic with the Audes than straight out of the wall. That is usually the other way round.
The differences are not dramatic, but enough to make the difference between a nice playback and feeling more like listening to a live performance.
DC offset
In Leiden, using the Isotek EVO3 Syncro Uni DC had a big impact. Again, the difference between ‘nice’ and ‘something special is happening here’. The Kora seems to be sensitive to the so-called ‘DC offset’ in the feeding electricity.
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