Batty 5,077 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 I'll start with a couple of DIY pre amps...... The top one is a DIYAudio B1 NuTube, designed by Nelson Pass. The one one the bottom is an Elekit TU-8500 valve pre. 9 Link to post Share on other sites
Ittaku 4,483 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Supratek Cabernet Dual. 12 Link to post Share on other sites
buddyev 4,426 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) Elektra Pnyx. Very happy with it and it was a big leap forward in SQ from my previous pre. But it was bought at a time when i was still using multiple sources frequently - vinyl, tuner, CD, Dac - and I’m not sure it’s the best thing for a system with a single digital source. Edited October 12, 2019 by buddyev 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Mendes 4,094 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Audio Synergy........ 15 Link to post Share on other sites
Batty 5,077 Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Who would have thought Pre amps would be so popular. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Misterioso Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Good topic. Ever since I tried a relatively modest 2nd hand preamp between a dac and active speakers, I have been convinced of their sonic benefits. I moved up from a BAT VK-10 to a MF M8 Pre and finally a Mola Mola Makua. Important criteria were a low output impedance via XLR and built-in top quality dac and phono stage modules to keep the system simple. My most expensive hifi product ever, but I am very happy with it. The Makua connects to Quested V2108 active monitors. Link to post Share on other sites
Braddles 63 439 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) Ming Da MC - 2A3 Edited October 12, 2019 by Braddles 63 10 Link to post Share on other sites
Steve M 1,847 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 2 hours ago, Batty said: Who would have thought Pre amps would be so popular. They are essential in bringing dynamics and dimension to your music. These are my two favourite preamps after trying out quite a few over the years ...Supratek Cortese valve and Bakoon Satri solid state circuit. 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Pops110 3,399 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Mingda preamp here as well. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,822 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 I'll make mine an oldie. This one is doing duty as a mono preamp in my 45/78 system in my record room. That's an old Playmaster-type 6L6 UL PP power amp behind it. They both get a bit dusty, but they keep working. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
DRC 1,058 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 The slightly over engineered dual mono Krell Evolution Two pre amp. It just about needs its own dedicated rack. 9 Link to post Share on other sites
PKay 2,208 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, DRC said: The slightly over engineered dual mono Krell Evolution Two pre amp. It just about needs its own dedicated rack. Does that mean 2 remotes for volume control? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
DRC 1,058 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 8 minutes ago, PKay said: Does that mean 2 remotes for volume control? only one remote... there is a cat link between the two unit to synch remote function and other adjustments 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Rocketfrogs 3,171 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) PS Audio GCPH preamplifier. Edited October 12, 2019 by Rocketfrogs 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Rocketfrogs 3,171 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Little Bear T10 2 Link to post Share on other sites
mjs 264 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Somewhat predictable, ME25, I think 18 years old now, recently recapped and upgraded, absolutely singing. 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites
metal beat 19,770 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) conrad-johnson GAT preamplifier. my reference for 8 years - others have come and gone - GAT has stayed the course - GATS2 upgrade awaits at some stage. One of the few preamps with full tape loop - enables easy insertion of eq into playback or pure direct sound - best of both worlds. drives ss or tube amps to their best Edited October 13, 2019 by metal beat 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bzr 900 Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 my, what big feet it has... Link to post Share on other sites
audiofeline 2,436 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 (edited) My Croft "Vitale" (original edition, 1980's?), the left side is cropped in the photo. Hand-built in the UK. I like the 1950's styling. The logo under the knobs lights up in red when the power's on. The knobs are tarnished, I will eventually strip and re-polish at some stage. It's a nice-sounding (to my ears) 3-valve design with MC phono. Edited October 18, 2019 by audiofeline 6 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,822 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 21 minutes ago, audiofeline said: My Croft "Vitale" (original edition), the left side is cropped in the photo. Hand-built in the UK. I like the 1950's styling. The logo under the knobs lights up in red when the power's on. The knobs are tarnished, I will eventually strip and re-polish at some stage. It's a nice 3-valve design with MC phono. I agree, lovely minimalist styling from the golden age How do they do MC with only 3 valves? Step-up transformer? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy 2,669 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 My Sherbourn Pre 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Batty 5,077 Posted October 18, 2019 Author Share Posted October 18, 2019 neat Link to post Share on other sites
audiofeline 2,436 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, aussievintage said: I agree, lovely minimalist styling from the golden age How do they (Croft) do MC with only 3 valves? Step-up transformer? I'm not sure, as I only have very basic technical knowledge. Inside pic below. This is the info I have on the valves: - The line uses a Mullard 12AT7WA [aka ECC81], Glen Croft told me that the 12AX7A / ECC83 would have higher gain (the volume is OK with this valve). - The two Phono valves are 6201, however Glen Croft said it should be a ECC83, the 6201 would have lower gain. I haven't tried any tube rolling yet. I'm open to some suggestions for me to try in the future. I've done some other improvements, eg upgraded the RCA sockets, and have a high-grade selector switch to install (the current one looks like the basic Jacar switch). I've read that Glen has serviced this model to come up to his current model's specs, but I don't want to send the amp to the UK for him to do it and he wouldn't tell me what's required to do it myself. I'd also be interested in comments from valve-amp buffs on what they see in here. Edited October 18, 2019 by audiofeline 1 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,822 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 (edited) I found this on Vinyl engine Quote Hi, I own the basic model of the Croft Vitale and it was my first valve/tube pre/phono amp. It's place as my main valve/tube pre-amp was recently replaced, although I must add that I have retained it as my tube phono stage. Since it was my first and only tube phono amp I'm afraid I don't have anything else to compare it with although I must add that IMHO the standard of the passive parts inside are rather run of the mill and should be replaced with better ones for improved performance. One more thing, the phono stage can only handle MM or high-output MC cartridges and you will need a head-amp or a step-up transformer if your cartridge output is below 0.5mV. Not sure what model you or he had, but maybe it's really MM ? Edited October 18, 2019 by aussievintage Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,822 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 1 hour ago, audiofeline said: I'd also be interested in comments from valve-amp buffs on what they see in here. Another thought, you have the rings on the line amp valve it appears. As the phono preamp undergoes more amplification, it might be better to put them on those as well? The setup seems to be similar to what I use by the way. I just have an buffer/gain stage. Link to post Share on other sites
audiofeline 2,436 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 1 minute ago, aussievintage said: ... you have the rings on the line amp valve it appears. As the phono preamp undergoes more amplification, it might be better to put them on those as well?... The valve rings were put on by the previous owner. I asked someone about them, and got negative comments about their effectivenes. If you think it will help I'll put some on the phono valves. I did put some sound-deadening material (similar to dynamat) on the aluminum valve bracket - it made an amazing improvement to the bass, clarity and soundstage. 5 minutes ago, aussievintage said: Not sure what model you or he had, but maybe it's really MM ? My Croft has MC phono; I've have used a Sumiko MC cart through it. I believe the preamp could come configured for either MM or MC. I've also replaced the two volume pots with a single IR-controlled Alps. That made Mrs.Feline happy! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,822 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 1 minute ago, audiofeline said: The valve rings were put on by the previous owner. I asked someone about them, and got negative comments about their effectivenes. If you think it will help I'll put some on the phono valves. Ah well, that's another question. Put it this way, if they have any effect, it's more likely to be apparent when used on the valves at the start of the amplification chain, and any vibration induced noise would get amplified as well. I just put some on mine, but, not sure I hear a big difference anyway. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Muon N' Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 I like the way Croft build, that pre is no different, very nice :) Link to post Share on other sites
Monk 2,654 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 At just over $40 delivered, this is probably the cheapest thing I've bought for my system... Well, until I bought some different tubes and an iFi iPower supply for it. 🤦♂️ Actually, technically, it probably still is the cheapest single component in my system ha. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
seaninbrisbane 698 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 (edited) Nagra PL-P Edited October 19, 2019 by seaninbrisbane 9 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,822 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 8 minutes ago, seaninbrisbane said: Nagra PL-P Damn, I've always LOVED Nagra gear Link to post Share on other sites
andyr 5,881 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 51 minutes ago, Monk said: At just over $40 delivered, this is probably the cheapest thing I've bought for my system... Well, until I bought some different tubes and an iFi iPower supply for it. 🤦♂️ Actually, technically, it probably still is the cheapest single component in my system ha. And it is what? Andy Link to post Share on other sites
andyr 5,881 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 11 minutes ago, seaninbrisbane said: Nagra PL-P Intriguing - in a 'brutalist' kinda way. But soooo many knobs and switches! Andy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
seaninbrisbane 698 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 18 minutes ago, andyr said: Intriguing - in a 'brutalist' kinda way. But soooo many knobs and switches! Andy And one of these days I'm going to learn how to use the knobs (on the 4.2). 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Rocketfrogs 3,171 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 10 hours ago, seaninbrisbane said: Nagra PL-P I think you'll need a pilots license to fly this one... 2 Link to post Share on other sites
andyr 5,881 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 21 minutes ago, Rocketfrogs said: I think you'll need a pilots license to fly this one... Haha! Andy Link to post Share on other sites
Wimbo 2,404 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 (edited) "Grace" with the Valab TF1 Phono pre. Edited October 19, 2019 by Wimbo 4 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,047 Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Got a couple (both DIY) I could easily swap between. Both tubers and both SRPP but very different tubes and passives. Lagoon 3 and Icon. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Monk 2,654 Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 22 hours ago, andyr said: And it is what? Andy An FX-Audio Tube-01 pre-amplifier? Link to post Share on other sites
realysm42 231 Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 MFA Baby Reference mk.ii (copper transformers) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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