*Amorphous Core transformer upgrade is already done by KNIF for us by default ($450 upgrade from the factory) since every customer so far has wanted it, but we could special-order one without the upgrade.

The KNIF Audio Vari Mu II has gone through a face lift. The front face now has the same kind of frame structure with sub panels as the Soma. The input and output attenuators as well as threshold switches are 23-position Elma switches and the rest 11 position Elma switches instead of the Grayhills in the past. There is only one reason for all the changes. Quality.

Knif Vari Mu II has 1) MS-matrix 2) Lundahl's biggest line trannies 3) all Elma rotary switches 4) interesting variable Link and side chain HP filter 5) stereo width adj. 6) illuminated Sifam meters or (as in the picture above) extremely nice Sifam dual needle meter as custom option 7) very easy calibration setup with internal signal generator and front panel trimmers 8) low noise and lots of headroom in the bass. And much more. Also available with Lundahl amorphous core output trannies which are recommended for those requiring utmost neutrality and accuracy.

So, how does it sound? Mostly it does not "sound". That is the whole point. But there seems to be somewhat "enhancing" character, especially with the amorphous core transformers. Wide open with a lot of details. This is not the overly "fat and big" tube compressor sound which in fact is too often just messy, woolly and dark sound of bad transformers and too much distortion. I believe that the informed mastering engineer appreciates versatility and transparency. And this is what Knif Vari Mu offers. It can be driven into controlled soft clipping if desired but it also offers this "is it really on" feeling if used in a controlled fashion.

It is very easy to use because of separate input and output trims and a ratio switch. In MS-mode you can fine tune the stereo width according to the compression or your taste. Note that you can normally not adjust the width with input and output pads, because they are located "outside" the coding and hence work in normal stereo mode. MS-coders can be switched on independently to make the compressor to work as MS-coding or decoding device in the signal chain.Frequency response 0 / -1 dB15 Hz - 55 kHz-3dB point100 kHzInput impedance5 kOhmsOutput impedance150 OhmsMaximum output level (1% THD)+26 dBuMaximum clean compression20 dBRelease30 ms - 1.5 s + optional secondary slope release of 1 or 2 secondsAttackfrom very fast to 50% of release timeTube complement4*ECC189 2*6H30Pi 2*E88CC 2*12AL5

KNIF VARI-MU II SPECS:

Frequency response 0 / -1 dB: 15 Hz - 55 kHz

-3dB point: 100 kHz

Input impedance: 5 kOhms

Output impedance: 150 Ohms

Maximum output level (1% THD): +26 dBu

Maximum clean compression: 20 dB

Release: 30 ms - 1.5 s + optional secondary slope release of 1 or 2 seconds

Attack: from very fast to 50% of release time

Tube complement: 4*ECC189 2*6H30Pi 2*E88CC 2*12AL5