Katlas review on Soundstage

Gilbert Y · Advanced Member Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 2290

It has already been a week old. I think some of you may have already read it. I forgot to post it. Sol Lay.

http://www.soundstage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=224:blue-circle-audio-katlas-integrated-amplifier&catid=55:full-length-reviews&Itemid=4

Chowder_head · Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 11:27 am Post subject: Nice review

The review coincided with a trip to see and listen to my old CS that i sold to a friend. I took over my LS3/5As, which I didn't have when I had the CS.

Many smiling faces when the music started! I forgot how nice this amp sounded for the money. With the preamp circuit in my SBH, it would sound even nicer. And what a looker it was/is!

I paid $1400 or less, as I recall.

bjh · Advanced Member Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 653

I think nostalgia for the old stuff is making it hard to warm up to the new technology.

And looks don't help, that face plate in particular makes it look like a hobby DIY box ... why not a thick slab of acrylic?

I know, I know, b-b-b all day long. Embarassed

Gilbert Y · Advanced Member Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 2290

We have all kind of faceplate option if the person is willing to pay for the cosmetic. The plain black looking faceplate is the basic faceplate. Thick slab of Plexiglas cost mun lay mon. We can put stainless steel or even real wood faceplate.

You know bjh, it seems you prefer Plexiglas, I can tell you I know of at least 3 customers hated Plexiglas with a passion. They would much rather have no faceplate than a piece of Plexiglas. Two of them did just that. One other customer asked me if I take the Plexiglas faceplate of his BC509 would that cost less and replace the marking with sticker. Of course it would. So we take it off for him.

I bet you can't find another audio manufacture which is willing to go that far for custom option. Wink

bjh · Advanced Member Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 653

Well truth be told I prefer wood (the wood face unit shown in the review is a real looker!), but what I was suggesting was use of Plexiglas as the stock or standard look, at least since the iconic stainless steel isn't the standard it appears once to have been.

I'm not going to argue the point ... doesn't work anyway, learned that long ago! Cool

... but in my opinion asking someone to pay a little extra for an already $4500 integrated amplifier so that it looks better than a DIY box is taking "looks are secondary" to a near Puritan extreme.

Bob Neill · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject: No?

"the iconic stainless steel isn't the standard it appears once to have been."

Black plexi give us a fairly typical Japanese or for that matter British look. I love the classic stainless with wood knobs. Identifiable at a hundred yards. The fancy wood faceplates, one of which I have (ebony and curly maple), is a great upgrade. But black plex? Nah. This may be a youth thing, though, I'll concede. My son in law wants stainless knobs on his stainless FtTH faceplate.

Stainless knobs with the wood faceplates is the wow.

bjh · Advanced Member Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 653

I'm totally with Bob, standard iconic stainless w/wood knobs, upgrade wood w/steel knobs ... but I think G. no more want the old stainless Sad

masluck · Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 5:00 pm Post subject: Stainless Rocks!!!

I am all stainless - all of my external supplies (BC21L2 custom and BC23L2-705) are all stainless (fronts and covers). BC21 stainless with wood knobs - what is not to love?

Ha Boi Egg · Advanced Member Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Posts: 367

BlueKnight · Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 9:34 am Post subject:

I really appreciate some of the beautiful wood faceplates I've seen from some of the members.

But for me, it's stainless all the way regardless of cost.
_________________
Mike

Freddy · Advanced Member Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 32

I,d have to agree with bjh on this one. An integrated at this price point should automatically look as attractive as it sounds.

Wood with stainless knobs all the way.

bjh · Advanced Member Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 653

Ice Man · Advanced Member Joined: 21 Oct 2010 Posts: 30

The review compared the Katlas ($4500) to pieces that cost $10K and $15K and said it was close to performance of the $10K unit with the the midrange even more engaging than the $10K unit! I think it's a huge plus that BC has so many cosmetic options...it is clear that many on this thread have different opinions on looks. One person loves the wood/ stainless combination and another might think it's a horrible look. I appreciate BC not having me pay for someone else's preferences.

I strongly believe BC is constantly thinking how best to deliver the best value they know of to its entire product line.

masluck · Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:25 am Post subject:

I couldn't agree more!! Where else can you get the level of customization, the performance and any look you want. If the aesthetic of BC gear isn't your cup of tea, then go somewhere else. But, calling BC gear "DIY", well if you can do better, start a company. There is plenty of pretty eye candy out there that sounds like crap.

Mark