A-Designs KGB-II
A dual-channel instrument preamp built for direct injection, with a cult following among tracking engineers who demand color and punch.
Overview
The A-Designs KGB-II is a dual-channel instrument preamplifier. It takes a variety of instrument and line-level sources, including high-impedance devices like electric guitars and basses. It is sold under a few variations of the name - “A Designs KGB-II Instrument Pre Amplifier” or just “KGB-II” - and it fills a niche spot in the outboard chain as a high-gain DI for direct recording. One forum user noted in 2015 that they used the KGB-II specifically for “makeup gain,” which points to post-DI signal boosting in a hybrid setup. It also shows up in project studio signal paths feeding straight into DAWs like Logic Audio, as seen in a 2017 YouTube video setup.
Hard technical specs are hard to find. No verified data on frequency response, input/output impedance, THD, signal-to-noise ratio, or power requirements has turned up in retail listings, manufacturer pages, or period documentation. Physical dimensions and weight are missing from every available source too. The I/O includes Switchcraft 1/4" Input and Thru jacks, with XLR outs on the rear panels. The one consistent detail is the dual-channel layout, confirmed by multiple vendors calling it a “2-channel instrument preamp.” Mix-Magazine (July 2015, p.61) noted the KGB-II in A-Designs’ lineup alongside the KGB-ltf model, as part of a series of instrument preamplifiers aimed at direct recording. The review context gave no circuit details or performance metrics.
Collectibility & Value
Current market listings show a big price gap. One Australian retailer (AWAVE) lists the KGB-II at $1,249.00, likely in AUD given the domain. Equipboard reports a $775.00 price point with one vendor offering it, presumably in USD. The gap may come from regional pricing, condition, or currency confusion, but without more sales data or auction records, the true going rate is uncertain. No reports of common failures, service issues, or parts scarcity have emerged, though with no technical documentation, repairs could prove challenging. The KGB-II keeps a quiet but persistent presence in niche audio communities, valued more for its reported sonic character than documented specs.
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Service Manuals, Schematics & Catalogs
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