Taking their name from the Japanese god of thunder, Audio-Technica's Narukami products are designed to ignite elemental passions, while embodying the meticulous Japanese craftsmanship that has been the brand's hallmark for over 60 years.
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.
The HPA-KG NARU is as technologically refined as it is beautiful. The headphone amplifier/preamplifier employs four Takatsuki 300B power tubes, considered to be among the finest of their type ever produced, and with ECC83S gold pin small-signal tubes. Takatsuki is the only Japanese tube manufacturer remaining and it's remarkable that it still able to produce very high-quality products. The HPA-KG NARU amplifier utilizes a dual-mono configuration and has a fully-balanced drive design. It offers both balanced 4.4mm 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," says 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 closed-back 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.
The ATH-AWKG features purpose-designed 53mm dynamic 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 (3mm) 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.
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