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Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]

Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]

$1,100.00
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Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]
Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]
Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]
Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]
Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]
Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]
Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]

Sutherland Engineering

Country of origin: USA

Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe AC Phono Preamplifier - Silver [trade-in]

Sale price$1,100.00 Regular price$1,950.00
Save $850.00

Includes GST. 🚚 Free shipping on orders over $100 Australia wide at checkout.

Clean, minimalist signal path with switchable gain and loading for MM cartridges. An internal AC power supply removes the need for external adapters while keeping noise low and headroom high. Delivers simple, coherent, and rhythmically precise analog playback with refined musicality.

Only 1 unit left
Quantity:

Every order ships free to any address in Australia via fully tracked, insured delivery. You’ll receive a tracking link once your order is dispatched so you can follow it the whole way. Estimated delivery is 1-4 business days.

We handle your warranty so you don’t have to. If something isn’t right, simply get in touch and we will coordinate directly with the Australian importer on your behalf. Find out more. click here to lodge a warranty claim.

Whether you’re browsing or already unboxing, Geoff is your friendly hi-fi guide available 7 days a week. From choosing the right system to setting up your new purchase, expert advice is always within reach. Contact Geoff today.

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Description

The KC Vibe has developed a well-earned reputation as one of those rare phono preamplifiers that deliver a sonic performance well beyond their price range. Ron Sutherland is known for his high-end designs so when he decided to make a phono stage at a more accessible pricing level, he simply used the same design philosophy that he uses in his more expensive models and delivered an absolute gem.

Some high-end design features are obvious even before you listen or take off the cover. The KC Vibe uses a 48V external power supply to provide a huge margin for extensive filtering and isolation. A ground screw is located on the back of the unit to connect a grounding wire coming from the turntable. There are also machined, gold plated and teflon insulated audio jacks. With the cover removed, you will see the signature Sutherland circuit board layout aesthetic. There are five available load settings and also five available gain settings.

For music enthusiasts who desire high performance without entering into higher pricing levels, the KC Vibe is a no-brainer. Amazing sonics with a great pedigree…plug it in and join the vinyl revival!

Features

  • Plentiful loading and gain options for both MM and MC cartridges
  • Compact, discreet chassis is impressively well-built and solid
  • Quiet, dynamic, and musical beyond its modest price
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Reviews

Home Theatre HiFi, Michael Galvin, 2018

I really don’t want to let the KC Vibe go. Sure, it is not the 20/20’s equal, but at less than half the price, how could it be? It’s one of those components that is superb at communicating all aspects of music and it does so with great nuance that becomes easy to appreciate. The thing that gets me is that, like the 20/20, it strikes this wonderful balance between relaxation and excitement that is immensely satisfying. Cue applause.

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CNET, Steve Guttenberg, 2017

Match the Sutherland KC Vibe with a first-class turntable and phono cartridge and you’ll unlock heretofore unheard magic in your LPs. For as long as I’ve been an audiophile — a very long time — that experience never gets old. Well recorded LPs, including some I found on the street or bought in thrift stores for a dollar, never cease to amaze me.

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Positive Feedback, Maurice Jeffries, 2017

Very, very highly recommended, and a real challenge for phono stage designers charging more but offering oh so much less musically. Go git you one!

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    Tech Specs

    Item

    • Phono Preamplifier

    Gain Settings

    • 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60dB

    Loading

    • 100, 200, 475, 1k or 47k Ohms

    Power Requirements

    • 86 to 260 VAC, 2W universal, no adjustment required

    Power Supply

    • 48V external

    Dimensions

    • 280mm (wide) x 229mm (deep) x 51mm (high)

    Shipping Box Dimensions

    • 368mm (wide) x 318mm (deep) x 165mm (high)

    Weight

    • 2.7 kg

    Shipping Weight

    • 4.3 kg
    Customer Reviews

    User Reviews

    Warranty Information
    warranty shield 5 Years on Parts and Labour Warranty

    We care about your experience with HeyNow Hi-Fi, and we’re here to make the warranty process as smooth as possible.

    Your warranty is handled directly by the Australian importer. By submitting this form, we’ll coordinate the process for you and keep you updated every step of the way. Important: Shipping fees are not included as part of your warranty coverage.

    If your HeyNow Hi-Fi purchase isn’t working as it should, click here to lodge a warranty claim.

    Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us https://www.heynowhifi.com.au//pages/contact

    Why Choose Sutherland Engineering

    Sutherland Engineering approaches analogue playback with a rare level of focus—dedicating its entire philosophy to one category: the phono pre-amplifier. Designed and hand-built in the USA by Ron Sutherland, each model reflects decades of refinement, where simplicity, low noise, and circuit integrity are prioritised above all else.

    Signature Design and Sound

    Rather than chasing complexity, Sutherland refines the fundamentals. The result is a range that extracts extraordinary detail and musical nuance from vinyl, without imposing character or coloration.

    A defining element within the range is trans-impedance (current-mode) design, as seen in models like the Sutherland TZ and the reference-level Sutherland Dos Locos. Unlike traditional voltage-based phono stages, trans-impedance designs work directly with the current output of moving coil cartridges, resulting in lower noise, improved speed, and a more immediate, uncompressed presentation. It’s a different approach—one that reveals microdetail and dynamic expression with striking clarity.

    Sutherland Engineering Product Range

    Alongside these, the Vibe series, including the Sutherland KC Vibe, offers exceptional performance and flexibility within a more accessible framework.

    Across the range, Sutherland phono stages embody a singular idea—when you specialise deeply, the results speak for themselves.

    Explore the Sutherland range:

    Phono Pre-Amplifiers

    Pre Amplifiers

    Power Supplies

    Explore Sutherland Engineering

    WHY CHOOSE HEYNOW HI-FI?

    At HeyNow Hi-Fi, it's not just about the gear - it's about how it all comes together. With over 30 years of experience, Geoff provides personalised, expert advice to help you build a system that suits your music, your space, and listening style.

    Whether you're starting from scratch, refining your set up, or upgrading your gear, Geoff is always happy to have a chat. Call or book a private consultation directly with Geoff today.

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