Vahlbruch Effects releases Kaluna II High Voltage Overdrive MKII
November 28, 2024 · 2 sources
Vahlbruch Effects has released the Kaluna II High Voltage Overdrive, a MKII edition of its Kaluna tube drive, Guitar Pedal X reported on November 28, 20241. Delicious Audio described it as "an update to their tube overdrive, the Kaluna II"2.
The pedal is a overdrive built around an ECC83/12AX7 tube, with a tube operating voltage of 250 volts generated inside the pedal from a standard 9V power line12. Delicious Audio reports the tube needs a 30-second warm-up, during which the status LED flashes while the pedal stays in bypass2.
Guitar Pedal X lists two significant changes from the original. The first is a three-way Structure switch offering the stock "V1" voicing of the predecessor, a "Hot" higher gain voicing and a "Low" lower gain voicing1. The second is an over voltage protection circuit that guards the pedal if it is connected to a supply exceeding the maximum 9 volts1. Delicious Audio says the circuit prevents damage to the tube in that case2.
"Firstly it gets a new 3-way Structure switch - which allows you to select the stock 'V1' voicing of the predecessor, as well as a 'Hot' Higher Gain voicing, and a 'Low' Lower Gain voicing."
Controls are Drive, the Structure switch, Volume, and active Bass, Middle and Treble each with plus or minus 12dB1. Power-up behavior can be set to default on or true bypass1. The pedal uses Vahlbruch's "MagTraB" switching, which Delicious Audio describes as a magnetic transducer button for noiseless on/off switching2.
| Specification | Figure |
|---|---|
| Input impedance | 1.0M Ohms12 |
| Output impedance | 100 Ohms12 |
| Current consumption | 500mA12 |
| Dimensions | 120mm x 100mm x 48mm12 |
| Weight | 375g12 |
The Kaluna II is handmade in Germany12. Guitar Pedal X gives a US list price of $372 and reports the pedal is available to order from the Vahlbruch Effects webstore and at selected international dealers1.