KLIMO LAR

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows a slight sign of wear on the rear panel, not clearly visible in the photos. Supplied with the original packaging.

MM/MC phono preamplifier designed to handle moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. The model was developed as a complement to the Merlino line preamplifier and features a compact construction with an emphasis on careful design and handcrafted manufacturing.

The chassis measures 44 × 11.5 × 27 cm and features a black finish with a chrome control knob on the front panel for selecting MM or MC operation. The rear panel provides separate inputs for the two cartridge types, an audio output and a power connection. The preamplifier is supplied with a Klimo power cable.

The power supply section uses two toroidal transformers housed in a shielded compartment, a solution intended to limit the influence of electromagnetic fields on the audio circuitry. The two channels are built on separate circuit boards mounted using an elastic suspension system designed to reduce the transmission of vibrations and valve microphonics.

The phono stage uses a total of six dual-triode valves. Two ECC88 valves are dedicated to the MC stage, while the MM-RIAA stage uses two ECC88 and two ECC81 valves. The configuration is therefore entirely valve-based and features separate sections for MM and MC cartridge amplification.

The presentation is described as tonally balanced, with particular attention to the reproduction of harmonics and low-level information. The high-frequency range is extended and detailed, the midrange is smooth and substantial, while the low frequencies retain articulation and control. The overall design also emphasizes microdynamics and faithful reproduction of the tonal variations of instruments and voices, making the Lar suitable for use with high-end cartridges.

Technical specifications:

• Type: MM/MC phono preamplifier
• MC stage - Gain: 26 dB + MM stage gain
• MC stage - Input impedance: 10 Ω - 47 kΩ
• MC stage - Valves: 2 × E88CC
• MM stage - Gain: 35 dB at 1 kHz
• MM stage - Sensitivity: 1 mV
• MM stage - Frequency response: 3 Hz - 40 kHz ±3 dB
• MM stage - Input impedance: 47 kΩ
• MM stage - Output impedance: 150 Ω
• MM stage - Valves: 2 × E88CC; 2 × ECC81
• Dimensions: 440 × 115 × 270 mm
• Weight: 10 kg