KATLA - Giant Vacoperm core - heptalitz & Cardas 7N coils

 

KATLA is the SUT flagship of Clinamen's offerings. It is the culmination of a long evolution that has led me to create this SUT unit, of which I am extremely proud

THE HISTORY

Initially, there was the SUT EL Misti, with which I introduced transformers with GIANT cores, made of mumetall. It also featured the use of a CNC box in ergal, called 'Vela' due to its stylized front. Later, we moved on to the El Misti mk2, which, compared to its predecessor, had implemented hepta-litz wire windings on the primary and pure copper CARDAS 7N on the secondary. Both El Misti models had the ability to switch between two gains via a double front selector.

 In 2023, I purchased a significant quantity of VACOPERM 100 lamination sheet from Vacuumschmelze (VAC), with a thickness of only 0.20 mm. I dedicated considerable time and effort to transforming this semi-finished material into a finished product: ultra-performant U+I GIANT laminations in VACOPERM, just 0.20 mm thick, designed to equip the transformers of the KATLA.

 This operation was made possible thanks to valuable collaborators who laser-cut each individual lamination and subsequently performed a thermal annealing  in a pure hydrogen atmosphere.

 As a result, I was able to offer an optimal solution for those seeking maximum performance from their moving coil cartridge.This splendid reference SUT unit, called KATLA, benefits from the  CNC "Sail" chassis—this time manufactured in Anticorodal ( anticorodal offering better resonance characteristics compared to the previously  Ergal body used in the "El Misti""line)

Furthermore, I have discontinued the option of providing two gain settings, because sound deterioration performed by the switch is clearly audible. Therefore, KATLA is designed as a single-gain reference SUT, with the gain selectable at the time of purchase from four available options: 12, 16, 24, or 32.

 

KATLA nasce quindi come SUT di riferimento a singolo guadagno, che puo' essere scelto in fase di acquisto tra i quattro disponibili : 12, 16, 24, 32

 

HARMONY & DESIGN  

KATLA was designed as a single-gain unit to maximize sound performance. This approach allowed for a clean front panel, free of gain switch controls. The graphics have been redesigned: the KATLA  (trapezoidal, reminiscent of a volcano) and Clinamen logo are engraved on stainless steel  embedded into the front panel. 

 

The sleek front panel of the KATLA

The stylized "Sail" shape of the KATLA CNC chassis 

The plate displaying the gain value and input/output impedance is located on the top back, hidden from view by the front "Sail." It is made of mirror-polished stainless steel and laser-engraved. 

 

For the design and functionalities of the KATLA benclosure, I spent many hours and all my creativity to create an object that also has a high aesthetic and artistic value. Because good sound and satisfaction also come from beauty.

In the following image, the SUT KATLA is photographed next to a power triode, the 6AS7G, to give a clear idea of its impressive dimensions, which are: width 195 mm, depth 136 mm, height 188 mm. The weight is 4.5 kg.

Miss 6AS7G in the company of the beautiful KATLA

 

Finally, speaking of design, I believe it is also nice to showcase one of the sketches created during the prototyping of the KATLA, where the development stages and the internal layout can be seen.

 

Artistic sketch of the SUT Katla

 

TECHNICAL AND CONSTRUCTION

The KATLA features a chassis made of ANTICORODAL (an aluminum alloy from the 6000 series), manufactured through solid machining, with a main body thickness of 15 mm to ensure complete immunity to external disturbing fields (magnetic fields and vibrational fields). The feet that securely anchor the KATLA to the ground are made of Anticorodal, with an O-ring at the bottom.

Detail of the three support feet, intentionally partially hidden by the front "sail."

The KATLA uses transformers with U+I giant cores made of VACOPERM 100 laminated with 0.20 mm sheets. The volume of these cores is more than double that of the Licancabur and Coropuna models. Using a VACOPERM 100 core results in primary and secondary inductances approximately 30% higher than those of a comparable mumetall core. In terms of sound performance, the response of the cartridge into low frequencies range will be significantly greater because the -3dB point will be lower, and phase rotations in the audio band are much smaller.

Additionally, the finer lamination, 0.20 mm compared to 0.35 mm, allows for a core with fewer losses, which greatly benefits the overall sound quality.

Finally, the much higher permeability of VACOPERM compared to mumetall will give the sound reproduction a liveliness in the response to low-level signals that is unmatched by less permeable cores.

The KATLA transformers  feature primary  hepta-litz copper  windings (i.e., seven individually insulated conductors tightly braided together), while the secondary is winding using CARDAS  7N purity grade wire. The Cardas copper cables have a highly refined crystalline structure achieved through precise drawing and annealing processes, which, in addition to their intrinsic purity, impart very high audio quality to the cable.

The construction of the KATLA is DUAL MONO. It includes extra RCA sockets that operate in parallel at the output; you can use this RCA for connecting harmonic networks  for optimized interfacing between the cartridge / SUT / phono preamp or additional loads.

All RCA connections are KLEI HARMONY; these connectors help to extract the maximum potential from the analog chain. They incorporate two fundamental concepts for excellent sound: extremely high electrical conductivity and single-dimensional contacts. For those interested in a deeper understanding, you can read the manufacturer's white paper, which I am linking here for convenience:

 

 

 

The KATLA is delivered in a 12 mm multilayer box, with a laser-engraved top cover.

Laser-engraved top cover of the KATLA box

 

USAGE INSTRUCTION

 

Place the KATLA at least 50 cm away from the power transformers of the nearby electronics. It is very immune to disturbances, but a rational placement can only be beneficial. Also, try rotating it around its vertical axis to achieve "absolute black" in musical reproduction.

 Since the KATLA box is very heavy, it is recommended to decouple it from the support surface; the dedicated spring-isolated cradle I suggest is ideal for this.

 A burn-in period of at least 150 hours is recommended to allow its performance to settle almost definitively..

IDENTITY CARD

• Family: KATLA

• Core type: Giant, 28.5 cm³

• Core material: Vacoperm 100, lamination 0.20 mm

• Winding: primary Hepta-litz, secondary Cardas 7N

• CNC chassis in Anticorodal, model "Sail"

• Floating mass system that can be inserted or removed with rear bridges

• Single gain

• Available gain options (to be specified at purchase): 1:12 / 1:24 / 1:16 / 1:32

• Color: "Magma Red" (double-layer glossy metallic pearl finish)

• Delivered in a 12 mm multilayer box with a laser-engraved lid

• Price: 5000 euros

• Available suspended cradle in AISI 304 stainless steel, mirror-polished, starting at 420 euro

 

 

Here's a link where you can find a comprehensive measurement test on the KATLA in 1:24 configuration.

Additionally, below you can download a very interesting PDF with measurements and general considerations on how to load SUTs and moving coil cartridges.

  

 Misure KATLA 1.24.pdf

 

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