Can Klark Teknik's 1176-KT win the clone wars?

07 Nov 2016 by Simon Allen |

5,0 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Klark Teknik 1176-KT Compressor Front · Source: music-group.com

Klark Teknik 1176-KT Compressor Rear · Source: music-group.com

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Klark Teknik has produced a clone of the famous UREI 1176-LN hardware FET compressor. Hang on, isn’t Klark Teknik all about live sound? Historically yes, but in a recent interview they told us they intend on releasing more recording products and effects in the future. We also wanted to know more about their relationship to Midas and Behringer, stablemate brands under the Music Group umbrella. But the 1176-KT comes after the launch of another 1176 clone, Warm Audio’s WA76. So what’s the Klark Teknik story? And which clone will triumph?

First, I’m reasonably confident that this product will be excellent given its price point. In the video below, Klark state that the 1176-KT has Midas input and output transformers, which is encouraging. Asked about Midas involvement, Klark confirmed that the 1176-KT “was developed by a dedicated Midas and Klark Teknik team”.

However, some will argue that the Midas transformers won’t present the same performance as Jensenn/Cinemag-style transformers. Klark told us that one of their challenges was interfacing the “overall layout with modern improved manufacturing standards”. We can assume this means: how can we make this cheaply yet get close to the trademark sound? Their spokesperson seemed confident that the “modern” aspect is a help rather than hindrance, and that the 1176-KT is a “better approach to this circuit”.

Time will tell. I’d love to give the 1176-KT a spin and find out if it is as good as it should be. The Warm Audio WA76 is proving successful, but there is room for improvement. The 1176-KT costs 689.99 USD, slightly cheaper than the WA76. Can Klark Teknik can pull it off? It’s unlikely the 1176-KT will be 100% true to the original, but perhaps that doesn’t matter very much as long as it is a good product in its own right. It will need to hold its own against fierce competition, though, as Klark Teknik are late to market.

More Information

For more information visit the 1176-KT webpage on the Music Group’s website. Here’s a video released by Klark Teknik on their YouTube channel about the new 1176-KT. I think this video also hints at the entry-level target group, with an overview even your mother would understand. Come on Klark Teknik/Midas, most of us know what attack and ratio parameters mean, thanks very much!