Предусилители — Schiit Audio KARA F

Kara F is the version of the Kara preamplifier from Schiit Audio that ships with the Forkbeard control system, priced at USD 799, or USD 50 less without the Forkbeard module, with the IR remote supplied either way. Schiit describes it as a fully discrete solid-state preamp and headphone amp built around its differential Nexus topology and calls it the best-measuring preamp the company has made. Against the earlier Freya S, supply rails rise from +/-17 V to +/-32 V and the transformer grows from 24 VA to 48 VA.

Key specs that matter

Two XLR pairs and three RCA pairs are accepted, while outputs number one balanced and two single-ended pairs, all switched from the front panel or by remote. Input impedance is 10 kohm, and output impedance is 75 ohms single-ended and 600 ohms balanced. Balanced to balanced at unity gain, THD and CCIR IMD stay below 0.0002% and SNR exceeds 129 dB A-weighted at 4 V RMS, with response within 0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and -3 dB points at 3 Hz and 500 kHz. At 4x gain the figures become 0.0004% and 123 dB. Crosstalk is above 110 dB typical, and passive-mode distortion is below APx555 analyzer resolution. The headphone jack gives 1 W RMS per channel into both 32 and 300 ohms with 0.25 ohm output impedance. The chassis measures about 406 x 203 x 51 mm, weighs about 5 kg and uses 22 W.

Engineering and use context

Nexus is a current-feedback circuit with nested differential stages, and because it is differential in and differential out, single-ended inputs leave as balanced signals. The higher rails, series regulated with Schiit's Quietude circuit from one 48 VA transformer, let the balanced output swing close to 100 V. Gain is 1x or 4x. Volume is handled by a relay-switched stepped attenuator with discrete thin-film resistors in 128 steps of 0.625 dB, so channel matching holds down to the lowest setting, and the attenuator can also run fully passive with no gain stage in the path. The headphone output uses the same discrete stage as the single-ended line outputs, backed by headphone detection and fault sensing. Forkbeard covers volume, inputs and output modes across stacks of Schiit products and adds system health alerts. Schiit sources chassis and transformers in California and builds the unit in San Antonio, Texas, backing it with a 5-year warranty.

Pairing

The XLR outputs suit power amps with balanced inputs, and Schiit also positions Kara F as a remote volume control for its DACs. The company describes the case as shelf- and rack-friendly rather than desk-friendly, and notes that it gets moderately hot, as expected for a Class A device.

Alternatives

The Schiit Saga 2, at USD 279, is a lower-cost preamp from the same range that takes single-ended inputs only.