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MagyarAudio-Technica launches ultra-high end Narukami line with $108,000 HPA-KG Naru integrated tube amplifier and $4,200 ATH-AWKG headphones
In recognition of the company’s 60th anniversary, Audio-Technica has launched the Narukami brand with ultra-high end audio products consisting of the $108,000 HPA-KG Naru integrated tube amplifier along with the $4,200 ATH-AWKG headphones. The word “narukami” symbolizes the power of sound through its reference to the god of thunder in Japan. A-T engineers pushed beyond existing limitations during a decade of development to create an unparalleled audio listening experience.
HPA-KG NARU Integrated tube amplifier
The HPA-KG Naru can operate as a headphone amplifier or as a speaker preamplifier. The exterior is designed to convey the harmony of Japanese rock gardens and tatami rooms. The top is designed like a rock garden, with imagined water flowing across the top into the orifices for the vacuum tubes and off the sides along the kurogaki wood (black persimmon) panels. Subtle hints to nature are found in the infinity symbol layout of the orifices while ayasugi tree needle and branch patterns adorn the tube cover grills.
Besides refined aesthetics, the integrated amp is the culmination of a decade of arduous prototyping utilizing human, rather than electronic, sensing of the audio performance of each component in the fine tuning of the design. The HPA-KG uses a fully balanced audio design with dedicated left and right channel power transformers. Balanced input signals are kept fully separate through the audio path to the headphones for better sound quality with less electromagnetic interference.
Powering the amp output are four Takatsuki TA-300B vacuum tubes, known across the world as one of the top alternatives to the classic Western Electric 300B. The TA-300B are driven by the output of four ECC83S tubes amplifying the input signal using a push-pull circuit design (Shunt Regulated Push-Pull). The SRPP amp provides greater efficiency with lower harmonic distortion than a regular class-A amp despite greater complexity. Alloy core Lundahl transformers along with three impedance settings optimize the final signal path to headphones.
ATH-AWKG Headphones
The AWKG headphones were designed to pair perfectly with the Narukami amp. Like the groundbreaking 2008 Sony MDR-R10, the ear cups are finished with lacquered, rare Japanese kurogaki wood over 100 years old instead of Aizu elm over 200 years old on the Sony. Magnesium alloy headband arms keep the sheepskin ear pads comfortably clamped.
The choice of wood enhances the clarity of the audio generated by the 53 mm drivers with titanium flanges driven by German-made magnetics and oxygen-free copper voice coils. Dual acoustic chambers help with bass sound reproduction. The headphones are capable of reproducing high-resolution music with a frequency response of 5 Hz to 45 KHz at a maximum input of 2,000 mW at 48 ohms with a sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
Connections to the headphone use A-T’s proprietary A2DC connector to provide a more stable, noise-free signal path. Two A2DC cloth-covered cables are included, with one having an unbalanced ¼-inch jack and the other having a balanced XLR-M jack.
While the Narukamis might be unobtainable for most readers, the more affordable FiiO R9 digital media streamer along with a pair of Audeze LCD-X planar headphones should satisfy as more affordable alternatives.
Source(s)
Audio-Technica Introduces Its NARUKAMI Ultra-High-End Tube Headphone Amplifier and Headphones
For more than 60 years, Audio-Technica has sought to expand the limits of audio technology. With the introduction of its NARUKAMI ultra-high-end audio products, Audio-Technica has taken the pursuit of analog sound reproduction to a remarkable new level of excellence.
Making their U.S. premiere at CanJam NYC 2024 (March 9 – 10 at the Marriott Marquis, New York), the NARUKAMI HPA-KG NARU Tube Headphone Amplifier and ATH-AWKG Closed-Back Dynamic Wooden Headphones are stunning, ultimate-quality works of audio art. Taking their name from the Japanese god of thunder, NARUKAMI products are designed to ignite elemental passions, while embodying the meticulous Japanese craftsmanship that is an Audio-Technica hallmark.
The front and side panels of the HPA-KG NARU tube amplifier/preamplifier (SRP: US$108,000) are crafted from precious kurogaki wood, Japanese black persimmon wood with striking wavy black figuring that can be found nowhere else. The metal mesh covering that protects the vacuum tubes is evocative of the pattern of the flat needles of the Ayasugi tree. The top of the HPA-KG NARU tube amplifier/preamplifier is styled to reflect the appearance of a KARESANSUI or dry landscape garden, representing water flows.
HPA-KG NARU Tube Headphone Amplifier
The HPA-KG NARU is as technologically refined as it is beautiful. The headphone amplifier/preamplifier employs four Takatsuki 300B power tubes, considered by connoisseurs to be among the finest of their type ever produced, and with ECC83S gold pin small-signal tubes. The HPA-KG NARU utilizes a dual-mono configuration and has a fully-balanced drive design, for richly detailed sound with remarkable depth and presence. It offers both balanced 4.4 mm and standard 1/4-inch headphone jacks.
The amplifier provides an impedance selector switch to perfectly match with the widest range of headphones. No effort was spared in the quality of the internal components, which include amorphous-core silver-wire Lundahl input and output transformers to deliver the highest level of sonic clarity. In addition to its unsurpassed capabilities as a headphone amplifier, the HPA-KG NARU serves as a preamplifier, and offers balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs. Companion AW-KG NARU headphones are included with the HPA-KG NARU amplifier.
“We spent 10 years creating the HPA-KG NARU amplifier in an arduous process, working our way through 11 prototypes before settling on a design that met our high expectations,” said R&D engineer Koichi Irii. “The lifelike sound of the HPA-KG NARU is a testament to the power of our human approach.”
The ATH-AWKG headphones (SRP: US$4,200) are equally exceptional. Like the HPA-KG NARU, the headphones are handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan, from rare kurogaki wood. In addition to its distinctive appearance, the acoustic properties of the kurogaki housings contribute to the headphones’ extraordinary sound quality. The hand-applied lacquer finish brings out the wood’s natural beauty.
ATH-AWKG Audiophile Closed-back Dynamic Wooden Headphones
The ATH-AWKG features purpose-designed 53-mm drivers with Permendur magnetic circuitry. Each driver is equipped with a titanium flange and a 6N-OFC high-purity oxygen-free voice coil to ensure precise movement and optimum signal transfer. Audio-Technica’s exclusive D.A.D.S. Double Air Damping System provides smooth, accurate bass response. The ATH-AWKG is designed for maximum long-wearing comfort, and is supplied with an additional set of ZMF Universe Hybrid earpads for a unique alternate listening experience. The headphones are equipped with Audio-Technica’s A2DC jacks and two 9.8-foot (3.0 mm) detachable cables with 4-pin balanced and standard 1/4-inch jacks. Adding to its elegance, the ATH-AWKG comes in a presentation box with kurogaki wood accents.
Audio-Technica was founded in 1962 with the mission of producing high-quality audio for everyone. As we have grown to design critically acclaimed headphones, turntables and microphones, we have retained the belief that great audio should not be enjoyed only by the select few, but accessible to all. Building upon our analog heritage, we work to expand the limits of audio technology, pursuing an ever-changing purity of sound that creates connections and enriches lives.
— For more information on the complete range of Audio-Technica products, contact Jamie Bobek, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224. Tel: (330) 686-2600; Fax: (330) 688-3752.
