K&K's Custom Shop is proud to announce the release of the Progression Twin Tube Acoustic Preamp.

Our engineers have been working on this project for almost two years. Only the recent availability of state-of-the-art miniature high voltage power supply components, which safely and silently power the tubes with over 200 volts, made it possible to design and build the Progression Twin Tube Acoustic Preamp.

This tube preamp is not made for distortion but for the warm and crisp tone only a tube circuit can provide.

How does the Progression differ from other tube preamps on the market?

Many tube preamps on the market use only one tube, driven by low voltage. This may impress some people, but tubes need to be driven with high voltage in order to develop the "real" tube sound. We power the Progression's two tubes with over 200 volts. In addition to the warm sound tubes are known for, their biggest advantage is the extremely natural high-end response, provided they are driven by high voltage. With the Progression you can actually boost treble in an elegant way. Unlike solid-state circuits, which tend to sound synthetic if treble response is pushed, the Progression adds a special shimmer plus the warmth only a true tube circuit can produce. It almost sounds like adding a quality microphone but without the feedback headache of using one. Finger stylists will love it! In fact, anyone who tested the prototypes here at K&K showed the same reaction - I want it and I want it now!

The Progression has two stages:

• A first solid state stage with volume, gain, 3 band EQ, and peak LED
• A second tube stage with in- and output tubes comprised of two 12AX7, gain and presence controls

We discovered that the two stages are needed to perfectly pre-amplify and pre-EQ the signal in the solid state stage first and then present a nice and strong noise-free signal into tube circuit. This guarantees a low noise level and allows us to keep the full frequency range in the tube circuit without any limit in the Progression's treble response. Most other tube preamp manufacturers cut the high-end frequency response of their tube circuit, because tubes tend to be noisier compared to solid-state technology. Their result is a tube sound with less high end than a solid state preamp. The Progression features advanced high end response capability!

The Progression's other features include:

• Phase shifting capability fully within the tube stage
• Two outputs: 1/4" line and balanced XLR
• A second input directly into the tube stage to bypass the solid-state stage. This may be used if the musician already has a preamp, like the Trinity Preamp or the Quantum Blender, or one of a different brand.

The Progression is powered by a designated external power supply (included). The preamps dimensions are 12 ½" wide x 4 ½" deep x 1 ½" high. Its tube section is hand-wired exclusively in the K&K custom shop. Hand-wiring is a quality hallmark with tube technology. Rack mount brackets are available (not included).

Production quantity is limited. The Progression is only available in select music stores and directly from K&K.