Thats mean no Christmas present for me gonna call Santa not to come home this year=)lejonklou wrote:The only update that I can give you, Mike, is that Tundra won't be released before Christmas. It will most likely take another month.
Lejonklou Tundra
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Hi Matthias!
Tundra has a lower maximum power than Linn Akurate 2200. That's maximum power without any sound quality considerations.
So if you're in a situation where an Akurate 2200 clips the signal or shuts down when used with a particular speaker+room combination, you can safely assume that Tundra won't be powerful enough for your needs.
If your concern is that sound quality degrades when playing loud with 2200 or any other amp, the situation is different and you definitely need to try a Tundra. One of the unique features of Tundra is that its sound quality just gets better and better the louder you play. Until you reach its limits, where it will rather abruptly tell you that you need to lower the volume a click or two.
Tundra has a lower maximum power than Linn Akurate 2200. That's maximum power without any sound quality considerations.
So if you're in a situation where an Akurate 2200 clips the signal or shuts down when used with a particular speaker+room combination, you can safely assume that Tundra won't be powerful enough for your needs.
If your concern is that sound quality degrades when playing loud with 2200 or any other amp, the situation is different and you definitely need to try a Tundra. One of the unique features of Tundra is that its sound quality just gets better and better the louder you play. Until you reach its limits, where it will rather abruptly tell you that you need to lower the volume a click or two.
I've been meaning to tell you more about Tundra for quite some time now, so it was good of you to remind me with that question of yours, Matthias. There are a couple of stories behind it that I feel are worth sharing. The first one is how Tundra came to be the way it is; a high quality amplifier with moderate power.
After having tried some different designs, I settled for the current circuit a year ago. Back then it was a tiny amp that could be housed in a Kikkin enclosure and the name of the project was 'Fling'. Once again, it was my wife who came up with the name. When I gave her what must have been a puzzled look, she explained that she felt this tiny amp was "irresistable fun, but nothing I'd marry".
Fling could deliver around ten watts of power, but despite that low figure it had something very powerful and convincing in its character. Those who heard it all thought it was some beefy amp that was driving the speakers. It wasn't until you really pushed it that you realised that it wasn't particularly beefy.
I could have released Fling in spring 2011, but I ran into a problem. Variations in quality turned out to be big. In other words: The second prototype I made sounded different from the first, even though it was made the same way. And when I studied the phenomenon more carefully, I realised that the circuit was indeed terribly sensitive. Not just to the fine nuances of the music it amplified, but also to all component variations.
After a while of thinking and experimenting without really getting anywhere, I decided to make a more powerful Fling and just see how far I could push the quality, without any practical considerations on how it could ever be manufactured. I bought piles of components and manually measured and selected them in ridiculously small variations. I used twin switch mode power supplies that isolated it much better from variations in the mains power. And I just tuned the little monster in any way that I could think of; currents, voltages, temperatures, layout, cabling, directions, torques, mechanical issues and damping. The experiment was named Tundra (once again my wife named it). After a couple of months, it had become so good I could hardly believe it. I asked a friend to give it a listen.
His immediate response after listening to it was "Fantastic! I want one!". But in my limited way of thinking, this was not an amp that could be manufactured and sold. It was an extreme experiment, which could later result in something simpler and possible to manufacture. Of the amplifier engineers I've had the pleasure to meet, most have had a personal monster amp at home. One that never went to production because it wasn't considered practical. But my friend wasn't impressed with the idea of a simpler version. He wanted Tundra just the way it was. At first, I automatically rejected the idea because it seemed impossible. But I soon began wondering whether the idea of "impossible" was only in my mind. And after a period of serious consideration, I decided to go for it.
So the last month has been spent on sourcing and selecting components in test rigs built for the purpose. I decided to do this myself and ship perfectly matched components directly to the circuit board manufacturer, to avoid any potential mistakes. Right now an assembly manual is being written, the longest and most detailed I've ever made. In January I will make sure it's being followed to the letter. There are only two parameters that I haven't been able to include in any practical way. These I will take care of myself with a final step of individual tuning of every Tundra, when it arrives from the assembler.
Although I didn't manage to bring Tundra to the market before Christmas, I hope you will feel it's been worth the wait when it finally is, in February 2012. It plays music in such a convicing and emotional way, unlike anything I've heard before in my life.
After having tried some different designs, I settled for the current circuit a year ago. Back then it was a tiny amp that could be housed in a Kikkin enclosure and the name of the project was 'Fling'. Once again, it was my wife who came up with the name. When I gave her what must have been a puzzled look, she explained that she felt this tiny amp was "irresistable fun, but nothing I'd marry".
Fling could deliver around ten watts of power, but despite that low figure it had something very powerful and convincing in its character. Those who heard it all thought it was some beefy amp that was driving the speakers. It wasn't until you really pushed it that you realised that it wasn't particularly beefy.
I could have released Fling in spring 2011, but I ran into a problem. Variations in quality turned out to be big. In other words: The second prototype I made sounded different from the first, even though it was made the same way. And when I studied the phenomenon more carefully, I realised that the circuit was indeed terribly sensitive. Not just to the fine nuances of the music it amplified, but also to all component variations.
After a while of thinking and experimenting without really getting anywhere, I decided to make a more powerful Fling and just see how far I could push the quality, without any practical considerations on how it could ever be manufactured. I bought piles of components and manually measured and selected them in ridiculously small variations. I used twin switch mode power supplies that isolated it much better from variations in the mains power. And I just tuned the little monster in any way that I could think of; currents, voltages, temperatures, layout, cabling, directions, torques, mechanical issues and damping. The experiment was named Tundra (once again my wife named it). After a couple of months, it had become so good I could hardly believe it. I asked a friend to give it a listen.
His immediate response after listening to it was "Fantastic! I want one!". But in my limited way of thinking, this was not an amp that could be manufactured and sold. It was an extreme experiment, which could later result in something simpler and possible to manufacture. Of the amplifier engineers I've had the pleasure to meet, most have had a personal monster amp at home. One that never went to production because it wasn't considered practical. But my friend wasn't impressed with the idea of a simpler version. He wanted Tundra just the way it was. At first, I automatically rejected the idea because it seemed impossible. But I soon began wondering whether the idea of "impossible" was only in my mind. And after a period of serious consideration, I decided to go for it.
So the last month has been spent on sourcing and selecting components in test rigs built for the purpose. I decided to do this myself and ship perfectly matched components directly to the circuit board manufacturer, to avoid any potential mistakes. Right now an assembly manual is being written, the longest and most detailed I've ever made. In January I will make sure it's being followed to the letter. There are only two parameters that I haven't been able to include in any practical way. These I will take care of myself with a final step of individual tuning of every Tundra, when it arrives from the assembler.
Although I didn't manage to bring Tundra to the market before Christmas, I hope you will feel it's been worth the wait when it finally is, in February 2012. It plays music in such a convicing and emotional way, unlike anything I've heard before in my life.
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Music Lover
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rowlandhills
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If your neighbours have any follow up questions, just give them my phone number. ;)Broccoli wrote:A real party amp! Poor neighbors. "I'm sorry, but I have to play this loud due to the design of my amplifier." :-D
Seriously, I think many of us know how easy it becomes to turn the volume up when it sounds really good. When there's very little distortion, it seems we don't take notice of how loud it is. Until someone tries to speak and has to SHOUT be heard.
I don't think so. But it doesn't behave like other power amps.Music Lover wrote:Is it more musical on higher volume levels??
I find that all other power amps sound gradually more compressed and less dynamic when you increase the volume. With Tundra, there is an element of ease in the transients, a willingness to attack, both on micro and macro level, that just remains unaffected when you play louder. Hard to explain, but I find myself constantly turning the volume up and just letting the music wash over me. It's not the same kind of loud, it's better.
Fredrik,lejonklou wrote:I find that all other power amps sound gradually more compressed and less dynamic when you increase the volume. With Tundra, there is an element of ease in the transients, a willingness to attack, both on micro and macro level, that just remains unaffected when you play louder. Hard to explain, but I find myself constantly turning the volume up and just letting the music wash over me. It's not the same kind of loud, it's better.
I love the behavior of this amplifier when you increase the volume. It is very nice to let the music wash over and the diametric opposite to "dollhouse high fidelity".
Which loudspeaker played the key role in the development of the Tundra?
Never heard that expression before, but I think I know what you mean!matthias wrote:...the diametric opposite to "dollhouse high fidelity".
Different models of speakers were used, big and small. In the living room at home I have 109's and a lot of relaxed "ok, what did I accomplish today" listening took place there. The 109's are good enough to make any difference in the amplifier - no matter how tiny - easy to distinguish. Great little speaker!matthias wrote:Which loudspeaker played the key role in the development of the Tundra?
It's going to be so intressting to hear if it sounds as good or better then Klimax Solo amps if so i'm buying one for sure.lejonklou wrote:Never heard that expression before, but I think I know what you mean!matthias wrote:...the diametric opposite to "dollhouse high fidelity".
Different models of speakers were used, big and small. In the living room at home I have 109's and a lot of relaxed "ok, what did I accomplish today" listening took place there. The 109's are good enough to make any difference in the amplifier - no matter how tiny - easy to distinguish. Great little speaker!matthias wrote:Which loudspeaker played the key role in the development of the Tundra?
Mike
Done much the same myself, got tired of the idea of 5 way speakers and huge costs and amps to even consider active, that have difficult passive crossovers that shut people's amps down !!!rowlandhills wrote:Sounds very promising! You know, the existence of this amp is one of my reasons for deciding that my next speakers will be passive...
:)
This Tundra sounds very interesting, perhaps it's best I don't put a Dynamik in my KCT yet.....if this is going to beat it...... Selling a KCT and buying a Tundra would work out cheaper !!!!! Hopefully will match my PMC FACT8 well.
Hi Frederiklejonklou wrote:Never heard that expression before, but I think I know what you mean!matthias wrote:...the diametric opposite to "dollhouse high fidelity".
Different models of speakers were used, big and small. In the living room at home I have 109's and a lot of relaxed "ok, what did I accomplish today" listening took place there. The 109's are good enough to make any difference in the amplifier - no matter how tiny - easy to distinguish. Great little speaker!matthias wrote:Which loudspeaker played the key role in the development of the Tundra?
Do you think they will be able to drive a pair of 242's MK2 ?
Which other speakers did you use for this ?
Hi Linnie!
Yes, of course Tundra can drive 242's. It's a great combination!
It's been tested with a number of speakers from 109 up to Komri. So far it's driven everything with such finesse, precision and SLAM! that jaws have dropped on the few who've heard it. And on me too.
As soon as I get a minute over, I'll tell you about the technology behind it.
Yes, of course Tundra can drive 242's. It's a great combination!
It's been tested with a number of speakers from 109 up to Komri. So far it's driven everything with such finesse, precision and SLAM! that jaws have dropped on the few who've heard it. And on me too.
As soon as I get a minute over, I'll tell you about the technology behind it.
iam very interested , I did put my Akurate 4200 for sale , just before I have been reading about the Tundra to upgrade to a klimax Twin. But this is a serious option to.lejonklou wrote:Hi Linnie!
Yes, of course Tundra can drive 242's. It's a great combination!
It's been tested with a number of speakers from 109 up to Komri. So far it's driven everything with such finesse, precision and SLAM! that jaws have dropped on the few who've heard it. And on me too.
As soon as I get a minute over, I'll tell you about the technology behind it.
But since I found no dealer in The netherlands , how does sales go ?
I recently contacted two retailers in the Netherlands that were recommended to me. If you have a favourite retailer, one with skill and passion, please send me an email or a pm. I'd be happy to visit your country, it's been too many years since last time.Linnie wrote:But since I found no dealer in The netherlands , how does sales go ?
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Tony Tune-age
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No, no exact day has been set. Tundra is being tested for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), which I expect will go well.minge wrote:Is there any exact date when Tundra is gonna be released?
In the meantime, I'm checking alternative companies to do the painting of the enclosures. The current finish is ok, but not perfect. The problem is that getting a finish in the same quality that's used on cars is very expensive. I want that kind of finish, without adding hundreds of € to the final price. Tricky.