Not one, not two, not even 2.1 but a 5-channel amplifier from the house of Schiit.
The Kraken is Schiit’s first 5-channel amplifier “designed to audiophile standards” offering 5 x 20 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 5 x 30 Watts into 4 making it “ideal for both musical and home theater surround systems” according to the company.
“We figured some people are ready for a home theater amp that isn’t just a blunt instrument,” said Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s co-founder and head of analog design. “So we designed Kraken the same way we do our audiophile amplifiers.”
The Kraken is a fully discrete, current-feedback, direct-coupled Class AB design and is available now for $999 in Black and $1049 in Silver directly from schiit.com.
Here’s the complete press release from Schiit Audio:
Unleash Kraken!
Musical Quality, Surround Versatility in a 5-Channel Amplifier
June 12, 2024, Valencia, CA. Today, Schiit Audio announced its first 5-channel amplifier, Kraken. Designed to audiophile standards, Kraken delivers musical quality with surround capability. Driving up to 5 x 30W per channel, Kraken is ideal for both musical and home theater surround systems. Kraken is an ideal pairing with Syn, Schiit’s standards-free surround processor. Kraken is available now at schiit.com from $999.
“We figured some people are ready for a home theater amp that isn’t just a blunt instrument,” said Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s co-founder and head of analog design. “So we designed Kraken the same way we do our audiophile amplifiers.”
Unlike many home theater amplifiers, Kraken eschews off-the-shelf Class D modules, switching power supplies, or chip amps. It’s a fully discrete, current-feedback, direct-coupled Class AB design with 2SC/2SA devices used throughout, with a 600VA toroidal transformer. Capable of 20A peaks for 100mS, Kraken delivers impact and control far beyond what its power rating suggests.
In addition, Kraken uses the latest generation of Schiit Audio’s intelligent amplifier oversight, with a 32-bit microprocessor ensuring the safety of both the amp and the customer’s speakers. Furthermore, it does this transparently, with no current limiting, crowbars, PTCs, or other invasive protection methods.
Finally, Kraken provides the modern conveniences and controls that our customers require. A front-panel switch switches the amplifier into a low-power standby mode, consuming only 1-2 watts, but remaining ready for action. A 12V trigger is also included, for home theater systems employing this remote triggering standard.
Kraken, like all Schiit products, is designed and built in the USA, with the vast majority of cost going to US companies producing in the USA. For example, its chassis and PC boards are made literally minutes away from Schiit’s Valencia factory, and everything comes together in Valencia, CA.
“It’s now even easier to have your surround set free,” said Jason. “Kraken is an ideal pairing with Syn, Schiit’s $399 standards-free surround processor, which gives you surround from any source, from TV to records.” Syn also provides audiophile DAC, preamp, and headphone amp functionality, with a discrete main gain stage.
Kraken is available in black and silver finish. Black is $999, silver is $1049. Kraken is available now at schiit.com
About Schiit Audio
Founded in 2010 by Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat, Schiit has grown into a leader in affordable high-end audio, with a wide range of products spanning DACs, headphone amplifiers, and preamplifiers, from $49 to $2799.
