Wavestream Kinetics Remote LSx Linestage / Level 2

The
latest iteration of Wavestream’s revered line stage (with remote control and
“Level 2” upgrades). 

"The LSx is designed to present musical timbres
faithfully. Deviations from accurate timbres are unacceptable and therefore
kept to a minimum. Again, according to Scott Frankland that apart from workmanship
and build quality the major design goals are “circuit design, power supply
design and parts selection”. 

In keeping with goal of circuit is simplicity, the circuit
uses four 6DJ8 tubes with an input impedance of 40kΩ (nominal) ohms
and an output impedance of 200 Ohms. This will provide an easy load for
associated equipment and will allow the use of long interconnect runs without
loss of high frequency information or the dulling of transients. The
pairing amplifier’s input impedance should be at least 10kΩ for best results.

The preamp gain is
adjustable (8dB, 14dB, 20dB, 25dB) in 6db increments for a maximum of 4V
or 26db output.  

One more technical
feature should be mentioned: the frequency response, which is flat from 20Hz to
above 50kHz, +0, -0.1dB. This wide bandwidth gives musical transients the snap
and speed of live instruments. Most preamps roll off the highs when the volume
control is in the 3rd quadrant (12 o’clock to 3 o’clock). The frequency
extension of the Linestage is independent of the volume control setting due to
its low capacitance cascode input stage. 

The power supply
features an all tube audio circuit with no unnecessary gain stages,
transformers, FET’s or transistors. Only the power supplies contain solid-state
devices which are chosen for their high speed, Low noise and DC stability. The
three primary functions of the power supply are input filtering, AC line
stabilization and audio circuit load regulation. The power supply must supply
the current drawn by the audio circuit in step with the signal wave stream.
Therefore, this current must be as quiet as possible and follow the signal
demands without delay, overshoot, or interaction. Only well damped power
supplies can give musical transients the snap and speed of live instruments.
Because these power supplies are so quiet, music emerges from a much blacker
background revealing more low level details. The power transformers are
located inside the box so that power supply and audio circuit remain tightly
coupled for life, which is something that connectors cannot guarantee. The
transformers are deliberately sized to be overkill. As a result they are nearly
vibrationless. Residual vibration is filtered by high-memory iso-grommets by
which the audio board is mounted to the chassis. This isolation enables
moderately microphonic tubes to be used, which might otherwise be useless in
conventional preamps.

Parts selection in
the Linestage is mil-spec and tightly matched. Each component is selected based
on three parameters: 1) sound quality; 2) construction quality; and 3)
long-term reliability. Moreover, parts are derated for worst-case temperature
conditions. For example, resistors are spec'd at least 3–7 times below their
power rating. Heat sinks are 2–3 times larger than necessary. Chassis are
finished in black powder coating, the toughest paint finish available. All
fasteners are stainless steel to prevent rust. All front panel lettering is
engraved. The fit & finish is intended to last indefinitely. The
latest iteration of Wavestream’s revered line stage (with remote control and
“Level 2” upgrades). 

"The LSx is designed to present musical timbres
faithfully. Deviations from accurate timbres are unacceptable and therefore
kept to a minimum. Again, according to Scott Frankland that apart from workmanship
and build quality the major design goals are “circuit design, power supply
design and parts selection”. 

In keeping with goal of circuit is simplicity, the circuit
uses four 6DJ8 tubes with an input impedance of 40kΩ (nominal) ohms
and an output impedance of 200 Ohms. This will provide an easy load for
associated equipment and will allow the use of long interconnect runs without
loss of high frequency information or the dulling of transients. The
pairing amplifier’s input impedance should be at least 10kΩ for best results.

The preamp gain is
adjustable (8dB, 14dB, 20dB, 25dB) in 6db increments for a maximum of 4V
or 26db output.  

One more technical
feature should be mentioned: the frequency response, which is flat from 20Hz to
above 50kHz, +0, -0.1dB. This wide bandwidth gives musical transients the snap
and speed of live instruments. Most preamps roll off the highs when the volume
control is in the 3rd quadrant (12 o’clock to 3 o’clock). The frequency
extension of the Linestage is independent of the volume control setting due to
its low capacitance cascode input stage. 

The power supply
features an all tube audio circuit with no unnecessary gain stages,
transformers, FET’s or transistors. Only the power supplies contain solid-state
devices which are chosen for their high speed, Low noise and DC stability. The
three primary functions of the power supply are input filtering, AC line
stabilization and audio circuit load regulation. The power supply must supply
the current drawn by the audio circuit in step with the signal wave stream.
Therefore, this current must be as quiet as possible and follow the signal
demands without delay, overshoot, or interaction. Only well damped power
supplies can give musical transients the snap and speed of live instruments.
Because these power supplies are so quiet, music emerges from a much blacker
background revealing more low level details. The power transformers are
located inside the box so that power supply and audio circuit remain tightly
coupled for life, which is something that connectors cannot guarantee. The
transformers are deliberately sized to be overkill. As a result they are nearly
vibrationless. Residual vibration is filtered by high-memory iso-grommets by
which the audio board is mounted to the chassis. This isolation enables
moderately microphonic tubes to be used, which might otherwise be useless in
conventional preamps.

Parts selection in
the Linestage is mil-spec and tightly matched. Each component is selected based
on three parameters: 1) sound quality; 2) construction quality; and 3)
long-term reliability. Moreover, parts are derated for worst-case temperature
conditions. For example, resistors are spec'd at least 3–7 times below their
power rating. Heat sinks are 2–3 times larger than necessary. Chassis are
finished in black powder coating, the toughest paint finish available. All
fasteners are stainless steel to prevent rust. All front panel lettering is
engraved. The fit & finish is intended to last indefinitely.