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  1. Item: Volume knobs in solid aluminium (silver anodised) Location:Perth Price: $25 Item Condition:New and unmarked Reason for selling: These were purchased for preamp builds which have since taken a different turn. I'm getting rid of some spares which i've been hoarding. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash Extra Info: 4 knobs in total. One pair of 35mm (diameter) x22mm & another pair of 30mm (diameter) x25mm solid aluminium CNC machined volume knobs. They come with grub / locking screws and suit potientiometers with a 6mm shaft (ALPS RK27 etc). The pricing is for the lot. Pictures:
  2. Item: Solid Aluminium Volume Control Knobs - to suit 6mm shaft (ALPS RK27 etc). Location:Perth Price: $20 Item Condition: New Reason for selling: I'm clearing spares (i've got heaps spares for numeours preamp projects that all seemed like good ideas at the time). Payment Method: Pickup - Cash Extra Info: Items were purchased new. Unused. The hex screws have never been tightened. The front 2 have 30mm bases and are very well machined. The back one 28mm. Pictures:
  3. Item: Lounge Audio LCR MKIII Location: Wollongong Price: $300 + Shipping (if needed) Item Condition: As New Reason for selling: Upgraded to a tube MC pre-amp Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal Extra Info: Fantastic pre-amp that punches way above its price point. Out of the box support for MM and with the Copola set up transformer from Lounge can handle MC as well. See the website for more info:http://www.loungeaudio.com/lcr-mr-iii Comes with australian plug and wall-wart (supplied by Lounge). Pictures:
  4. Item: 28mm Aluminium Volume Knob to suit a 6mm shaft. Location: Perth CBD Price: $5 Item Condition: Unused Reason for selling: Clearing spares Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Extra Info: This item has not been fitted to a potentiometer (or anything else). The grub screw is smaller than the M4 ones that are common with these things. Its not the shiniest thing in town (as far as aluminium knobs go). Pictures: Item withdrawn from sale.
  5. Item: Audible illusions modulus 3A preamplifier Location: blue mountains Price: 2350 Item Condition: very good Reason for selling: change Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, transfer , Paypal +3%, COD Extra Info: stunning sounding preamp. very highly regarded and glowing reviews . as a point of reference i dont think i could find any negative comments about these preamps . this has the illustrious MC phono stage designed by famous john curl. 4X 6DJ8s - amperex bugle boys just replaced. please look online for reviews 120V - transformer included if needed. Pictures:
  6. Item: Audible Illusions modulus 3A preamp with phono Location: blue mountains Price: 2100 Item Condition: very good Reason for selling: consolidation Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, transfer , Paypal +3%, COD Extra Info: stunning sounding preamp. very highly regarded and glowing reviews . in the audio review there are 41 reviews with a average of 4.7/ 5 : ) . this has the illustrious MC phono stage designed by famous john curl. please look online for reviews . eg the audiophile guru arthur salvatore comments in his list of reference components - " the 3 may still be the finest preamplifier with phono available today for the money" . 120V . current ebay pricing > 3000 Pictures:
  7. Item: Audiolab 8000Q, preamplifier, excellent condition Location: Perth (Willagee) Price: $400 Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: NLR Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Happy to demo for local buyers, no original box but it will be safely packed if sent by couriers. Can be used as quality headphone amp as well (front input). Postage for Australia (metro $30, country towns depending on a postcode). Pictures:
  8. Item: Pro-Ject Phono Box RS and Power Box RS Phono Location: Maribyrnong, VIC Price: $1200 - 2% of sale price donated to SNA Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: No time for Records Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal (+3%), Bank Deposit Extra Info: Phono Box RS got new a couple of years back, the Power Box RS Phono had to import from overseas as it isn’t brought in locally. The Phono Box RS is the flagship unit from Pro-Ject, featuring every possible tweak you could need. The matching power supply, while remaining connected to power, runs off grid using two lithium batteries internally for up to four hours before charging will kick back in. Both units are in excellent condition and are supplied with original boxes and accessories. Fremer reviewed this combination on Analog Planet and didn’t crucify them, so that’s got to be a good thing! https://www.analogplanet.com/content/pro-ject’s-mmmc-phono-box-rs-chronic-overachiever Local pick up only. Pictures:
  9. Item: ME Control Pre-amplifier Location:Glen Waverley Price: $950 Item Condition:Very good Reason for selling: NLR Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: This is an excellent example of an ME preamp and is one of the earlier models fitted with an MC phono board which is very highly regarded individually let alone for an inbuilt one. I had this totally restored just under 2 Years ago by Ron at Winovate with superior Alps volume and Balance pots fitted plus a complete replacement of all capacitors to higher value one's recommended by Peter Stein. Power Supply also had diodes and electrolytic caps replaced plus new power switch. You won't need to touch this for the next 10 Years or so! As a bonus recently had the top chassis plate powder coated to reflect the pristine condition of this unit, seriously I have spent nearly the asking price alone on the restoration. I've agonized about selling this as I planned to keep for some time to come but alas change in direction and all that! Happy to post at cost Pictures:
  10. Item: Electrocompaniet AW 180 Monoblocks and EC 4.7 Pre Location: Mooroolbark Price: $7000 now $6500 Item Condition: Used Reason for selling: Moving to all tube setup Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Moving my Electrocompaniet gear. Currently have 95 DB efficient speakers so deciding to go to an all tube setup. The mono blocks have almost unlimited power and i can't turn the volume past 3 before the walls start to shake. Functionally the equipment is all working as it should, bar the remote which only works when it wants to. (am including a Logitech remote which operates all the functions on the preamp). Cosmetically the equipment would be a conservative 8 / 10. Feel free to ask questions and happy to Demo Pictures are in previous Ad
  11. Item: Audio Research Ref 3 Location: Perth Price: $4700 Item Condition: Used, Excellent Reason for selling: upgradw Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Bought this used from Audio Fidelity in September this year. I changed the handles to silver for the Ref 5 look (looks much better and sounds better too! ;-) Seriously this preamp sounds as good as they said, I'm selling because there's an opportunity to upgrade to Ref 5. Pictures:
  12. Item: Audio Valve Eklipse Tube Preamp Location: Albany Price: $2750 Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: Surplus Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Audio Valve Eklipse Preamp in excellent condition. Valves have been upgraded from stock. First with RCA Clear Tops, then with matched NOS Raytheon 1960 long black plates with elevated Halo getter. Then replaced two of those with NOS Cifte approx 1960 also. This unit sounds absolutely incredible, clear, detailed with massive soundstage. Totally non fatiguing. Have original wooden crate so can ship. Has remote. Some tarnish on gold knobs and a couple of very minor skuffs. Always covered when not in use. RRP 7KHeaps of reviews on net. Here is one of them from Audiogon...Review: Audio Valve Eklipse Tube preampCategory: PreampsI started a lengthy home auditioning process of highly regarded tube based active preamps, after spending three years of having two great sounding passive linestages in my system, Placette buffered & Bent Audio Tap TVC, that lead to a clear winner in the context of my system and personnal taste the Antique Sound Labs Flora EX DT. However, the Audio Valve Eklipse was on my list of preamps I really wanted to listen to, but I could not find a dealer that could arrange an audition at that time.Well, recently the website Stereo Times had a review on the Eklipse and I saw that the reviewer, Mike Wright, had gotten his audition piece from Mike Kay of Audio Archon located in Libertyville, Illinois. I had never met Mike in person, but had over the last couple of years many delightful conversations with him dealing with all things in highend audio. So, when I called him and asked him why he had never mentioned that he carried the Audio Valve line in his salon, he retorted, "you never asked." I have been very lucky in that the numerous retailers that I have done business with, just a very few have been jackasses, have been stand up gentleman, helpful with their knowledge, and very honest to deal with. I knew that Mike was a good guy who knew highend audio before I auditioned and purchased the Eklipse from him, now he's way up on my list of great guys to do business with, he made everything easy and was a pleasure to work with. Thanks Mike.Before, I get into the body of my review I want to mention that besides Mike Wright's online review of the Eklipse, Stereophile's reviewers Art Dudley and Robert J. Reina had given superlative reviews on this linestage with one gigantic flaw in my opinion, they only reviewed it with the stock 12AU7 Electro-Harmonix tubes! No offense to anybody, but these tubes sound like horsecrap. This would be like taking a world class high performance sports car and putting the worst gas possible along with cheapest junky tires and then taking it for a test ride. At least Mike Wright put in NOS RCA clear tops to see what this preamp could really sound like. Remember, even with the crap tubes Dudley and Reina thought the Eklipse was quite good, but they have no idea how good without the right tubes. So, my review is based on listening to the Eklipse with my all time favorite 12AU7 tubes, Ameperex longplate D-getter. These tubes just sound like music to me.The Eklipse is built in Germany by a small family run company. Like my MBL transport and Accustic Arts DAC the German craftmenship and build quality is very apparent. This preamp weights over 41 pounds. I choose the silver face with chrome knobs because it matches my Pass Labs and Accustic Arts pieces. True eye candy. You also can get it with a black face with either brass or chrome knobs. I never get into technical details in my reviews, that you can get off the Audio Valve website or give Mike Kay a call.On to the specifics regarding the sonic performance of the Eklipse:1) The Eklipse produces an expansive soundstage in all directions with great accuracy. If the music was recorded in a large venue you hear it, if recorded in a small intimate club your there. It also creates very precise layering and location in the soundstage.2) Since I mainly listen to acoustic jazz one of the most important factors for me to enjoy the music is natural timbres and harmonic richness. My old reference, the Flora, was wonderful in this area, so I can't say that the Eklipse is significantly better, but it's terrific in this very important sonic area.3) The Eklipse has the lowest noise floor of any active preamp I have ever had in my system. Therefore, the clarity/transparency allows micro details to emerge more intact. I really noticed this on decay trails throughout the frequency spectrum and on cymbals and guitar strings.4) The Eklipse produces the most agile/dynamic bass with great weight and impact that I ever had had in my system. This is one of the areas were the Eklipse really was significantly better then the Flora.5)The other area were the Eklipse left the Flora as a second best was in overall micro and macro dynamics. This preamp offers a crispness and jump factor that is world class.6)The Eklipse also has that quality that I call liquidity or the sense that the music just "floats" into the room with great easyness that allows you to relax and get into the emotions of the music in a very natural way. I experience my Pass Labs XA-100's in a very similar way.Mike Wright stated in his review that with the NOS RCA tubes he and his friends liked the Eklipse better then the highly regarded Conrad-Johnson ACT2 series II preamp in his reference system. Robert J. Reina said in his review that after having another very highly regarded preamp, the Audio Research Ref 3, for a few months he was not disappointed to go back to his Eklipse in his system. Remember, Mr. Reina uses the stock horsecrap sounding tubes in his Eklipse, what would he have experienced with a great pair of NOS tubes!I still think the my old reference, the Flora, is a great preamp, however my new reference is the Eklipse for the reasons I shared in my review. While not inexpensive at the retail price of $5,500.00, it's offers great bang for the buck and I believe will compete sonicly with much more expansive linestages. Pictures:
  13. Item: Marantz HD-DAC1 Location: Perth (Willagee) Price: 850 Item Condition: Mint, comes with original box, manual etc. HIFI shops are selling for $1450... Reason for selling: Not needed, used briefly as DAC for streaming from PC, new Cambridge streamer has built in DAC. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Could be advertised as brand new...lots of reviews on Net. Happy to demo for local buyers. Shipping for Australia via StarTrack couriers (with tracking) $30. Donation to SN if sold: $10. Pictures:
  14. Item: Gryphon Pandora Preamp Location: WA Price: $17500 freight met by buyer Item Condition: Very good Reason for selling: No longer needed Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal(fees to be met by buyer) Extra Info: Gryphons 2 box wonder and best preamp by a long shot. A perfect match for Mephisto or any Gryphon amps or any other amplifiers....superb pre True Dual mono design .....balanced design from tip to tail..All accessories and original packaging . Pictures:
  15. Item: SOLD elsewhere: Manley Labs - The Purist - Valve Preamplifier Location: Melbourne Price: $1250 Item Condition: very good Reason for selling: replaced by an Earle Weston special preamp Payment Method: Pickup - COD with free personal delivery around Melbourne Extra Info: Second model release with the 24K Gold plated facia. Retail $1650 USD in 1994. Designed in the early nineties by David Manley himself. With quite a few interesting features and options. For example, three level system gain setting, 3 sets of outputs, or the balance controls also serve as a form of dynamic tone control via their use of variable negative feedback, which works out as ideal for taking the edge off some modern aggressive mastering. "Manley Laboratories 'The Purist Preamplifier'. Designed by David Manley, the Purist Preamplifier uses the best available parts with the shortest, cleanest, signal path possible. This Preamp has all the vital signal conducting electronics located near the input / output jacks with the controls connected with long shafts. The high-current line circuit employed here is one we have developed and refined over the years in our MANLEY Professional series. Minimalist signal path is accomplished with a few short, wide PC traces and very little wire. The signal wire is six nines pure copper, teflon insulated and well shielded. The signal is direct coupled through the tube stages and is only passed through one capacitor per side -and these are premium MIT foil/film caps . The gain controls are precise conductive plastic pots with the main volume being a custom unit specially imported that has superior electrical and mechanical characteristics. These controls are a large part of why this preamp has such a musical appeal similar to precision passive preamps. While passive preamps are notoriously sensitive to interconnect cables, this preamp will be easier to interface due to its constant low impedance output and high impedance inputs. Finally (but really initially) the power supply is a simple, highly filtered, well engineered design without the reliability problems common in other high voltages supplies." Manley Purist Preamplifier: Vacuum tubes: 2 x 5751, & 2 X 6414 Input Impedance: 100 kOhm Output impedance: 50 Ohms Freq. Response: 10 Hz - 80 KHz S/N ratio: typically 95 dB A WGT 20-20K Power consumption: 33 Watts (275mA @ 120VAC) Gain with FB @MIN: H=16, M=12, L=10dB Gain with FB @MAX: H=25. M=22, L=19dB Noise Floor: typically -70 dB Five line level inputs MUTE switch Balanced XLR & Unbalanced RCA main outs Precision Stepped volume control Record Output Pictures:
  16. Item: ROTEL RC-970BX, stereo preamplifier, final price drop Location: Perth (Willagee) Price: $250 $225 $200 Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: Surplus Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Used with my Trafomatic Premise tube amp, mostly as headphone amp. Works fine, unmarked condition. Comes with original box and manual. Headphones input. 2 outputs. Great entry level stereo preamp. Postage for Australia $25. Happy to demo for local buyers. Pictures:
  17. Item: PS Audio BHK pre amp less than 6 months old as new - 100 hours only due to leaving tubes on stand by- maybe 20 hours actual listening Location: Location: Perth - prefer to see to local buyer but can post as have all boxes and other PS items for sale see below. Price SOLD-as new-and new price is $8595 perfect condition less than 6 months old and no use- see other listings for other ps audio gear. Reason for selling: had unsuccessful back surgery and have 2 systems and one needs to go. Prefer to sell together have all boxes- outer boxes books remotes etc. very very minimal use hours only about 100 as pre amp counted hours but also does on standby. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only packing options are possible through pack and send etc and everything is double boxed. Extra Info: Bought from Simply hifi in Perth late last year prior to surgery. Pictures: pics to follow- stock shots below and they are all identical to mine in boxes. Please google this award wining pre amplifier and corresponding other items. I also have reduced my listing a PS audio Black Bhk Signature 250 power amp for sale 50 hours SOLD- new $11395 PS Audio a PWT black CD player for $3500 new 5.5 k ( 20 hours and only 3 months old) and PS Audio Nuwave Phono Stage convertor. Totally unused no hours $1600 PS audio DSD junior 20 hours use in silver $ SOLD please message me for more details on these items. Item: as new Ps audio system in Perth expressions of interest Location: Perth - prefer to see to local buyer as a group purchase but can e split if no initial offers are made. Prices as new Reduced Black bhk 250 power amp $7500 new &11395 as new Reduced silver bhk preamp $6750 new $8595 as new Reduced Black Cd transport pwt- perfect wave $3500, new was about $5500 as new Reduced Silver nu wave stage converter $1600 new $2595 as new Reduced Siilver direct steam junior $ SOLD Also have 2 isotek Aquarius power conditioners in silver 1500 each new 2699 and one black isotek solus power conditioner $1000 new $1400 Other stuff listeds ee Wireworld eclipse 7 cables @$1200 Musical fidelity Superchargers 750kw and Weston Acoustics pre amp and mono blocks. Will list all individually asap with more information All warranties transferable via ps audio or magenta in Adelaide. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only packing options are possible through pack and send etc and everything is double boxed. Extra Info: all bought from Magenta in Adelaide or Simply hifi in Perth July - Sept 2017 apart from power amp bought from SNA war weary who had for a few months and bought from magenta and sold to me. Pictures: pics to follow- stock shots below and they are all identical to mine in boxes.
  18. Item: audio research ref 3 preamp Location: 2213 Price: $4400 Item Condition: execellent Reason for selling: not needed Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: purchased from sna member recently to set up a listening room but never got around it due to workloads. don't want this sittting around so pass on to a better home Pictures:
  19. Item: Weston Acoustics Rare Black Matching Touchstone Pre Amplifier and Custom 300b tube mono blocks in gloss black over wood grain- price change. Perth WA Price: Price: $7000 Original receipt shows just under 12k including extra cables made by Earle, Upgrade to remote and Balanced with 2 extra added inputs section. This amps hold their value better than almost anything and would be double or more if a European or US brand name was attached, they are stunning in everyway. They are that good and simply stunning to look at. Item Condition: `Almost Perfect with spare tubes cannot spot any issues and all running smoothly and sweetly. Spare tubes for almost every tube on pre and mono blocks and no 6 month plus waiting list. Reason for selling: Simplfying Extra Info: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only- prefer pick up as 3 very heavy boxes plus box of valves and chords etc. But can box and pack at buyers cost. Extra Info: Hand built to order as are all of Earle's masterpieces. Earle's first set in Polished Black finish with heavy duty remote control for volume and has extra balanced inputs, very very rare 6 input Preamp. Have shots of them being built and as below. A Good Selection of spares tubes as well about an extra full set in total and supplied by Earle's own hand made RCA cables. Earle did not ever add remotes untill i asked if possible and took 3 months to discover one good enough to be used on his beautiful products. Very regretful sale and can demonstrate in Perth. http://www.westonacoustics.com Perfect and as new without the very long wait list, 6 months or so and look awesome in black at night with the rest of the system glowing. Have instruction books and come with standard power cords as supplied by Weston Acoustics. Shipping possible at buyers expense and they would need all the tubes moved and boxed and then padded and packaged into 3 boxes each weighing 20 kilos x3 and tubes on top. `i would recommend a crate from a shipping agent that are not that much and well worth the peace of mind. Pre Amp Specifications.from website. mine are custom orders and actually below in photo section and they are more powerful . 35 watts not 18. 4 x 300 tubes per mono block. Max Voltage Output ......5 volts rms. 14 volts peak. Frequency response.......6hz to >50khz Separation.......……….... >55db Signal to Noise............. >88db A Weighted Signal to Hum…….…......>68db Distortion.................…..<0.05% at 0.5 volt rms output Hum Level…………….......<0.1 millivolt Gain.............................6db Inputs………..…………......6 Outputs .............................2 Mono Block Power amp see actual SPECIFICATIONS sheets below these were from the website and did not not realise mine were so much higher. Power Output - 35 watts upgraded from 18 per channel pure class A Frequency response -3db - 6hz to >75khz Signal to Noise - >90db A Weighted Signal to Hum - >80db Distortion - <0.05% at 1 watt rms Hum Level - <3.0 millivolt Sensitivity - 500mV Input impedance - 62K Inputs 1 Speaker output 8 ohm (6 to 12 ohm is fine) Damping Factor >5 (20hz to 20khz 8 ohm) Weight ~20kg (~44lb) per monoblock. Dimensions 440mm x 370mm x 220mm (width x depth x height) per monoblock. Preamp very similar plus small box of tubes and cables. Pictures:
  20. Item: Audia Flight Pre Mk3 (Classic Series) Perth Location: Perth Price: ONLY $3000- new images looks brand new - excellent condition and heavy weight,world class pre amp. All info copied from Rhino 66 last night I can see on SNA Payment Method: Normal cash , bank PayPal etc Extra Info: Bought used. Great sound according to Rhino66 Well thought off Pre amplifier. Swapped with Rhino 66 this week, arrived in a couple of weeks ago but was psrt of. as wap so never required , unpacked checked and works well, but just don't need so over to the next lucky owner.l Beautiful piece of kit though. Have all accessories and packing. Posting no problem. at cost. The high-end audio is a hobby of variety and objectivity. In each of the industry’s primary product categories, there are polarities in approach and technology – such as the RIAA-based phonograph and the 16-bit/44.1kHz-based digital playback systems, MOSFET and tube-based amplifications, and finally, cone and planar loudspeaker technologies – that the proponents for each consider indispensable and superior. Yet, there is one component type that everyone has contemplated getting rid of one way or the other, and it is the preamplifier. Transistor or tube, line preamplifiers have always occupied a bittersweet spot in everyone’s heart, considering its property for either making or breaking a system from the level of synergy created. To many audiophiles, brackets of price range represent a safe route for matching components: budget components dominate the sub-$2,000 range, while high-performance ones reside in the $9k+; and any higher would be considered exotic by many. Audiophiles contemplating the purchase of either $2,000 or $50,000 line preamplifiers have an easier time than those of us considering a $7k one, for the polarity in prices provides clarity and guideline in respective buyers’ decision-making process, at the same time represent an approximate indicator for system matching; while a $7,000 line preamplifier falls into a somewhat grayish area. If one has a $10,000 power amplifier of commendable performance, then a $20,000 preamp of competent caliber may continue to compliment the power amplifier’s inherent strength. However, a $7k preamplifier would likely accentuate the relative weakness of a $3,000 power amplifier that was designed to a budget, and then the audiophile with the $10k+ power amplifier would tend to doubt if a $7k preamplifier is adequate for his system. If you are the Dagogo reader contemplating a $7k preamplifier purchase, this review may accelerate your heartbeat. For the Audia Flight PRE has a multitude of virtuous qualities that remain elusive among many of today’s sub-$10k contenders in active solid-state preamplification. From a design viewpoint, the PRE is a two-box design implemented into a single chassis, in which upper and lower sections are provisioned and horizontally partitioned. Per Audia Flight, the single-chassis design is to eliminate variables involved in connecting multiple chassis. The PRE is one of a kind in being given three 10,000 Gauss toroidal transformers mounted upside down at the lower half of the chassis into the centrally positioned circuit board. Among the toroidals, two are rated at 50VA each for stereophonic reproduction, and one at 30VA for control logics. The upper section is consisted strictly of the main audio board. To generate a 50V output for each channel, the dual-mono transformers are flanked by four “Ultra Fast Recovery” diodes and eight 3,300μF, 63V ROE-EYS series filtering capacitors. In addition, to ensure the integrity of each channel’s signal during internal propagation between circuitry sections, four dual discrete stages are provided, amounting to an unheard of total of 18 discrete stages for each channel. With such vigor, the PRE is then class A-biased and regulated by Audia’s current-feedback technique. Contrary to the widely adopted voltage feedback technique, which yields lower levels of input noise and low frequencies distortion, current feedback provides unlimited slew rate and wide bandwidth. Audia’s implementation of the current feedback culminated supposedly in a high-current, low-noise output stage. Combined with what is perhaps Audia’s most remarkable feature – a metal film resistors- and metal film relays-laden impedance-constant attenuator that Audia claims to be able to preserve frequency responses at all attenuation level, hence solving the impedance fluctuating, frequency skewing and propagation damping characteristics of conventional attenuator – the PRE is supposedly capable of such gain range as 127dB, plus a bandwidth of such magnitude that it would overpower standard attenuators anyway. The PRE chassis is machined out of aluminum via Numerical Control (NC) units and laser machines. NC micro millers further crafted the front panel out of a 25mm thick aluminum ingot. Chassis-width damping plates are inserted under the top cover, as well as between the two boards. To root out possible interference, the logic control circuitry is encased in metal and positioned behind the front panel. Fully equipped and intended to be used as a reference preamplifier, the PRE is adorned with four RCA and two XLR inputs, along with one RCA Record output, one RCA Main output and one XLR Main output. The inputs are provisioned near the center of the rear panel, whereas the outputs are grouped at the farthest left and right. The PRE’s front panel sports dainty, tidy lines, with beautifully subtle curves. Embedded into this tastefully crafted front panel are, from left to center right, ON/OFF, INPUT, REC, DIM, BAL and MUTE. On the right is a large dial for setting of each aforementioned control, in addition to being the attenuator. At upper center left is the large display, the brightness of which can be trimmed or defeated altogether via the remote. An aluminum, milled remote control mimics all functions on the PRE’s front panel, except for REC: the record monitor. A SET button on the remote further enables customization of input gains and input characterization. Despite repeated attempts and examinations on my part, the PRE would not reconfigure its operational mode into the “Single-Ended Triode” kind. Blast! Finally, the PRE is to be left in the blinking, standby mode when not in active use, in which the amplification stages remain powered, and the attenuation at minus-117.5db. Once powered on, the attenuation adjusts itself instantly, with the display jumping from -117.5dB to the former level prior to the shutdown. Input gain can be adjusted plus and minus 6dB to facilitate uniform volume, and each input can be custom named with a maximum of 13 characters. Display brightness can be dimmed through 5 levels, including my favorite one, display off. The Sound To gauge the finesse of the Audia Flight PRE, DACs from both solid-state and tube camps were mobilized, including my longstanding champion of DACs, the $30k tubed Audio Note DAC5 Special, and the best solid-state DAC I’ve heard to date, the $5,700, 32bit/384kHz Accustic Arts DAC I Mk3. Primary amplification was via Audia’s own $11k Flight 100, a 32-IGBT-equipped current-feedback design of superlative finesse, which I reviewed in October, 2005. 47 Lab’s PiTracer helmed the tracing of pits from CDs. The Flight 100’s high-power, high-current capacity facilitated auditioning via a variety of loudspeaker, thus the 89dB/4Ω, $12k GamuT L5, the 95dB/8Ω, $20k Audio Note AN-E SEC Silver and the 93dB/8Ω, $26k Acapella La Campanella were the primary speakers rotated for this review. Audio Note’s Sogon digital cable, interconnects and SPx silver speaker cables handled the delicate task of signal transmission, with the 27-strand Vx linking the preamplifier to the power amplifier. 4 of Harmonix Reimyo’s X-DC Studio Master 350 Wattagate power cables supported the DACs 24/7, while powering the amplifications. Although the PRE provides level adjustments of individual inputs, my use of only one Audio Note Sogon digital cable inadvertently involved frequent unplugging and plugging of the cable from the Audio Note and Accustic Arts DACs, hence rendering input customization irrelevant. Many audiophiles prefer tube preamps for the nonexistent tonal artificiality and graininess that solid-state preamps are known to impart, especially in reproducing vocals. Atop a platform of its companion Flight 100 amplifier and GamuT’s L5 loudspeaker, the PRE’s manifestation of tenor Toby Spence’s “Vallon Sonore” [O echoing vale] from the Berlioz opera Les Troyens [The Trojans] (LSO 0010 CD) via the solid-state DAC yielded a pristine and yet smooth vocal that though not of the $30k Audio Note DAC5 Special’s caliber, was nevertheless the most remarkable and reverberating of solid-state DACs. CDs produced prior to the common high-bit remastering of late, such as my favorites from Deutsche Grammophon and Philips, consistently demonstrated less refined tonal balance with pronounced top-end carelessness via the PRE – a sharp contrast to the absence of such inherent information as rendered by lesser amplification designs. Accordingly, sonics from archaic CDs processed with comparatively primitive standards were consistently found wanting in the presence of the PRE. Also noteworthy was the PRE’s highly differentiating disposition on dimensionality, whether it was of jazz or orchestral music, as it revealed the GamuT L5’s soundstaging prowess as the most differing from what the Acapella La Campanella could single-handedly achieve. During a separate session with one Audio Note M8 preamp ($31,750), the GamuT’s soundstage expansiveness and 3-dimensionality was contrasted most explicitly by the Acapella’s full-range rendition of instrument tonality. To hear a $7k solid-state preamp being able to trail in the same direction was most riveting. On dynamics, the PRE’s handling of the signal from the solid-state Accustic Arts DAC was also to be applauded for its ability to track the scales of dynamics most diligently. The Italian preamplifier’s reenactment of Anne Weerapass singing the Cole Porter classic, “Night & Day” (Out Of Nowhere, Jazznote 170702-02-2), delicately preserved the sound engineer’s intent in the highly dynamic, resolving and yet well-balanced vocalization amidst the jazz band in the background. Transistor preamplifiers I owned in the past tended to smudge the differentiation between fore- and background. I have also yet to find a sub-$10k solid-state preamplifier with comparable spectral uniformity than the PRE. The Audia Flight not only preserved the DAC 1 Mk3’s presentations in meticulous tonal balance when driving the matching Flight 100, it never obscured the $24k Harmonix Reimyo PAT-777 300B SET stereo amplifier’s spectacular resolution and tonal balance neither. Per PRE, the Harmonix Reimyo SET was able to display its standard compliment of sonic feat through the $26k Acapella La Campanella horn speakers, demonstrating a full suite of tonal vibrancy with no sonic detriment that lesser solid-state preamplifiers would have impeded upon. Resultantly, the German horn speakers produced the most effectuating spectral uniformity, with integrated spectral liquidity and tonal lucidity so resplendent as to redefine what today’s horn speakers could accomplish. In comparison to the now-defunct Reference Line’s top preamplification offering, the Preeminence Two passive preamplifier, the PRE established itself as the first solid-sate active preamp in my system conceding to zero percent of loss in resolving power, at the same time summarily eclipsing the Reference Line in dynamic vigor and soundstaging, along with superior consistency in tonal shading at all relevant volumes. Summary With the Flight PRE, Audia demonstrated the pinnacle in solid-state preamplification design. Constructed with attenuation cells and relays for maintaining constant impedance, with the ability to preserve the same frequency response at any attenuation value, the Audia Flight PRE was a precision device of a most spectacular order. It possessed a spectral uniformity of such delicacy as to be highly conducive towards tonal differentiation. Though of solid-state birthright, the Audia Flight PRE’s exceeding resolution and bandwidth propagated a sonic presentation that was the antithesis of yesterday’s solid-state preamplifiers. In manifesting powerful showcases of dynamics, delicate texturing and extended spectral reproduction, it traverses alongside the $10,000 Audio Note M5, complete with a level of resolution I’ve yet to experience from another solid-state preamplifier. In addition, it did not constitute the minutest in sonic contamination or deviation. In fact, as proven by its coupling to the $24k Harmonix Reimyo PAT-777 300B tube amplifier, the Audia Flight PRE’s fundamental lack of coloration and distortion illuminated its brilliance, as to be the one solid-state preamplifier exceedingly conducive in driving the SET amplifier. Then, its regal spectral composure and dynamic prowess, when driving the matching, $11k Audia Flight 100, was of statutory achievement – amazing and breathtaking in action. Finally, the Audia Flight’s fundamental absence of electronic coloration in musical recreation makes it a fitting solid-state candidate in service of the 47 Laboratory 4704 PiTracer CD transport and Audio Note DAC5 Special. Not all audiophile will recognize the Audia Flight PRE’s subtle and enduring virtues amidst other instantly gratifying solid-state preamplifiers; but I am confident that the PRE will move the discriminating Dagogo readers employing top amplifications with competent front-ends, as solid-state designs capable of such refinement and strength are rare. For me, the Audia Flight PRE with its $7k MSRP redefines the performance level for others to follow. Rhinos images from his listing
  21. Item: Audio Research Ref 3 Location: Perth - South of the River Price: $4300 Item Condition: Used, Excellent Reason for selling: No longer required Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Bought this used from Audio Fidelity in September last year (less than 6 months ago). I changed the handles to silver for the Ref 5 look (looks much better and sounds better too! ;-) Seriously this preamp sounds as good as they said, I'm selling because there's an opportunity to upgrade to Ref 5. A couple of SNA members advised me not to sell this because they think that The Ref 3 sounds better than the Ref5 and even the Ref6. Unfortunately I have to sell this as I need the money. Last listing of Ref 3 on SNA was sold for $5500 so you know this is a bargain. I no longer have the box so local sale is preferred. Pictures:
  22. Item: as new Ps audio system in Perth expressions of interest Location: Perth - prefer to see to local buyer as a group purchase but can e split if no initial offers are made. Prices Reduced Black bhk 250 power amp $7000 new &11395 Reduced silver bhk preamp $6500 new $8595 Reduced Black Cd transport pwt- perfect wave $2500, silver new $5500 Reduced Silver nu wave stage converter $1600 new $2595 Reduced Siilver direct steam junior $4000 new $6000 software update. Also have 2 isotek Aquarius power conditioners in silver 1500 each new 2699 and one black isotek solus power conditioner $900 new 1400 6 Premium blue cables 150 each normal 200 each. Other stuff to list . Item Condition: mint as new 100 house use max Reason for selling: had unsuccessful back surgery and have 2 systems and one needs to go. Prefer to sell together have all boxes- outer boxes books remotes etc. very very minimal use hours only about 100 as pre amp counted hours but also does on standby. all warranties transferable via ps audio or magenta in Adelaide. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only packing options are possible through pack and send etc and everything is double boxed. Extra Info: all bought from magenta in Adelaide or simply hifi in Perth July 2017 apart from pier amp bought from Ana war weary who had for a few months and bought from magenta Pictures: pics to follow- stock shots below and they are all identical to mine in boxes.
  23. Item: Audio-GD NFB-5 DAC, Headphone Amp, Digital PreAmp Location: North Melbourne or Surfcoast Victoria Price: $275 $250 $225 including Postage or $200 Pick Up (Cost ~ $425 when new) Item Condition: Very Good to Excellent Reason for selling: Upgrading Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal Extra Info: Purchased ~ 4 years old Comes with additional Moon Op-amps as extra (never got around to fitting them), as well as standard ones which are currently fitted. Dual WM8805 chips, USB 24-96, Optical and Coaxial 24-192 Info about DAC / Headphone Amp on Darko Audio site. Pictures: JJ
  24. Item: Audio Valve Eklipse Tube Preamp Location: Albany WA Price: $3200 Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: Surplus Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Audio Valve Eklipse Preamp in excellent condition. Valves have been upgraded from stock. First with RCA Clear Tops, then with matched NOS Raytheon 1960 long black plates with elevated Halo getter. Then replaced two of those with NOS Cifte approx 1960 also. This unit sounds absolutely incredible, clear, detailed with massive soundstage. Totally non fatiguing. Have original wooden crate so can ship. Has remote. Some tarnish on gold knobs and a couple of very minor skuffs. Always covered when not in use. RRP 7K Heaps of reviews on net. Here is one of them from Audiogon... Review: Audio Valve Eklipse Tube preamp Category: Preamps I started a lengthy home auditioning process of highly regarded tube based active preamps, after spending three years of having two great sounding passive linestages in my system, Placette buffered & Bent Audio Tap TVC, that lead to a clear winner in the context of my system and personnal taste the Antique Sound Labs Flora EX DT. However, the Audio Valve Eklipse was on my list of preamps I really wanted to listen to, but I could not find a dealer that could arrange an audition at that time. Well, recently the website Stereo Times had a review on the Eklipse and I saw that the reviewer, Mike Wright, had gotten his audition piece from Mike Kay of Audio Archon located in Libertyville, Illinois. I had never met Mike in person, but had over the last couple of years many delightful conversations with him dealing with all things in highend audio. So, when I called him and asked him why he had never mentioned that he carried the Audio Valve line in his salon, he retorted, "you never asked." I have been very lucky in that the numerous retailers that I have done business with, just a very few have been jackasses, have been stand up gentleman, helpful with their knowledge, and very honest to deal with. I knew that Mike was a good guy who knew highend audio before I auditioned and purchased the Eklipse from him, now he's way up on my list of great guys to do business with, he made everything easy and was a pleasure to work with. Thanks Mike. Before, I get into the body of my review I want to mention that besides Mike Wright's online review of the Eklipse, Stereophile's reviewers Art Dudley and Robert J. Reina had given superlative reviews on this linestage with one gigantic flaw in my opinion, they only reviewed it with the stock 12AU7 Electro-Harmonix tubes! No offense to anybody, but these tubes sound like horsecrap. This would be like taking a world class high performance sports car and putting the worst gas possible along with cheapest junky tires and then taking it for a test ride. At least Mike Wright put in NOS RCA clear tops to see what this preamp could really sound like. Remember, even with the crap tubes Dudley and Reina thought the Eklipse was quite good, but they have no idea how good without the right tubes. So, my review is based on listening to the Eklipse with my all time favorite 12AU7 tubes, Ameperex longplate D-getter. These tubes just sound like music to me. The Eklipse is built in Germany by a small family run company. Like my MBL transport and Accustic Arts DAC the German craftmenship and build quality is very apparent. This preamp weights over 41 pounds. I choose the silver face with chrome knobs because it matches my Pass Labs and Accustic Arts pieces. True eye candy. You also can get it with a black face with either brass or chrome knobs. I never get into technical details in my reviews, that you can get off the Audio Valve website or give Mike Kay a call. On to the specifics regarding the sonic performance of the Eklipse: 1) The Eklipse produces an expansive soundstage in all directions with great accuracy. If the music was recorded in a large venue you hear it, if recorded in a small intimate club your there. It also creates very precise layering and location in the soundstage. 2) Since I mainly listen to acoustic jazz one of the most important factors for me to enjoy the music is natural timbres and harmonic richness. My old reference, the Flora, was wonderful in this area, so I can't say that the Eklipse is significantly better, but it's terrific in this very important sonic area. 3) The Eklipse has the lowest noise floor of any active preamp I have ever had in my system. Therefore, the clarity/transparency allows micro details to emerge more intact. I really noticed this on decay trails throughout the frequency spectrum and on cymbals and guitar strings. 4) The Eklipse produces the most agile/dynamic bass with great weight and impact that I ever had had in my system. This is one of the areas were the Eklipse really was significantly better then the Flora. 5)The other area were the Eklipse left the Flora as a second best was in overall micro and macro dynamics. This preamp offers a crispness and jump factor that is world class. 6)The Eklipse also has that quality that I call liquidity or the sense that the music just "floats" into the room with great easyness that allows you to relax and get into the emotions of the music in a very natural way. I experience my Pass Labs XA-100's in a very similar way. Mike Wright stated in his review that with the NOS RCA tubes he and his friends liked the Eklipse better then the highly regarded Conrad-Johnson ACT2 series II preamp in his reference system. Robert J. Reina said in his review that after having another very highly regarded preamp, the Audio Research Ref 3, for a few months he was not disappointed to go back to his Eklipse in his system. Remember, Mr. Reina uses the stock horsecrap sounding tubes in his Eklipse, what would he have experienced with a great pair of NOS tubes! I still think the my old reference, the Flora, is a great preamp, however my new reference is the Eklipse for the reasons I shared in my review. While not inexpensive at the retail price of $5,500.00, it's offers great bang for the buck and I believe will compete sonicly with much more expensive linestages. Pictures:
  25. Item: Audile tube preamp Location: Melbourne (east) Price: $850 Item Condition: Very good Reason for selling: Too many preamps Payment Method: Pickup - Cash Extra Info: This is an Australian designed hand-made tube preamp, which delivers a smooth, involving sound. It uses Jan Philips 5814a tubes (can take 12au7), and comes with a spare pair of new old stock. The amp has had an easy life – used for no more than 30 hours by me since I bought it here, and the previous owner had barely used it in the past five years. It has two RCA outputs and five RCA inputs. Note, the one marked 'phono' is a ground only, not a phono stage as such. (There is monitor in and out, but they have not been used by me.) There is no remote control. The preamp has plenty of gain. I had it serviced as soon as I bought it, which cleaned up a faulty diode in the power supply, and other diodes were replaced for good measure. That, plus the tubes, explains the slightly higher price than I paid. This amp sold for $3800 new at Secher Audio back in 2011, so the price here is pretty good. As you'll appreciate, I don't really want to send such a beauty through the mail. Pictures:
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