Schiit Kara Pre-Amplifier – Quick Look

All Image Credit: Schiit Audio

Built in California the Kara is the latest, all-new, do-all Nexus preamp from Schiit Audio. This fully discrete, solid state preamp running on +/-32V rails are said by Schiit Audio to be;” insanely over the top, giving it the capability of swinging near 100V on the differential output, and contributing to the best-performing, best-measuring preamp we’ve ever made—near -120dB THD+N from balanced.”

The amplifier design topology is based on their Nexus™; current feedback with nested differential stages and discrete summed single-ended outputs supporting gain modes of passive, X1 and X4. With analog signal routing via separate balanced and single-ended signal paths.

Kara, like the Freya+, includes a 128-step relay-switched attenuator, rather than a traditional potentiometer. This means essentially perfect channel matching and near-unmeasurable distortion. You also have the opportunity to run the relay potentiometer purely as a passive attenuator, with no gain stage at all in the signal path.

The Kara also includes a powerful headphone amplifier, with intelligent protection, that uses the same discrete component design as the Kara’s main outputs, supporting up to 1watt RMS per channel into loads between 32-300 ohms.

The all analog connectivity includes; two pairs of XLR inputs, three pairs of unbalanced RCA inputs and one pair of XLR outputs and one pair of unbalanced RCA outputs. Headphone connectivity is available via the 1/4″ front panel jack.

Control is avilable using the front panel controls or the supplied aluminum IR remote that also tracks local adjustment of the front panel volume control. Input, output, mute, gain modes and headphone status being indicated by the front panel LED’s.

Finally, with a five year limited warranty that covers parts and labor and the ability to return the amplifier within 15 days of receiving it, for a refund minus a 5% restocking fee, there isn’t too much too loose.

Specifications:

• Topology: Nexus™; current feedback with nested differential stages; discrete summed single-ended outputs with high-current headphone capability; intelligent headphone oversight and protection
• Input Impedance: 10K ohms
• Output Impedance: 75 ohms SE, 600 ohms balanced
• Crosstalk: >110dB typical all modes
• Inputs: 2 XLR pairs plus 3 RCA pairs, selectable via front switch or remote
• Outputs: 1 XLR pair plus 2 RCA pairs, selectable via front switch or remote
• Volume Control: relay-switched stepped attenuator with discrete thin-film resistors, 128 0.625dB steps
• XLR to XLR:
  • Gain: 1 (0dB)
    • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 3Hz-500KHz, -3dB
    • THD: <0.0002%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 4V RMS
    • IMD: <0.0002%, CCIR
    • SNR: >129db, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
  • Gain: 4 (12dB)
    • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 3Hz-300KHz, -3dB
    • THD: <0.0004%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 4V RMS
    • IMD: <0.0004%, CCIR
    • SNR: >123db, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
• XLR to RCA, x1 Gain
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 3Hz-500KHz, -3dB
  • THD: <0.0003%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 2V RMS
  • IMD: <0.0003%, CCIR
  • SNR: >123db, A-weighted, referenced to 2V RMS
• RCA to XLR, X1 Gain
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 3Hz-500KHz, -3dB
  • THD: <0.0015%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 4V RMS
  • IMD: <0.0022%, CCIR
  • SNR: >122db, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
• Headphone, X1 Gain
  • • Maximum Power, 32/300 ohms: 1W RMS per channel
    • SNR: >123db, unweighted, referenced to 2V RMS
    • Crosstalk: >-90dB
    • Output Impedance: 0.25 ohms
• IR remote
• Power Supply: Internal 48VA transformer with dual series regulated +/-32V rails with Quietude™ topology; plus regulated 5VDC for microprocessor
• Power Consumption: 22W typical
• Size: 16” x 8” x 2”
• Weight: 11 lbs

Availability:

• Black – now
• Silver – late 2023

MSRP (black/silver):

• US: $699.00/$749.00

For more information visit the Schiit web site.

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