Batty 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Supratek Cabernet Dual. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev 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 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendes Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Audio Synergy........ 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 Who would have thought Pre amps would be so popular. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddles 63 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) Ming Da MC - 2A3 Edited October 12, 2019 by Braddles 63 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve M 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. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pops110 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Mingda preamp here as well. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRC 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. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay 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? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRC 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocketfrogs Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) PS Audio GCPH preamplifier. Edited October 12, 2019 by Rocketfrogs 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocketfrogs Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Little Bear T10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjs 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzr Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 my, what big feet it has... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 My Sherbourn Pre 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted October 18, 2019 Author Share Posted October 18, 2019 neat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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