Does OTL pre-amplifier exist?


The amplifier in my second system is the Atmasphere S-30. It is an OTL amplifier. I enjoy its openness and speed. That brings me to this question. Does an OTL pre-amplifier exist? If it does, who are making such pre-amplifier?

Thanks in advance and happy listening.

Otto
yu11375
Yu11375, thanks for the comment on the S-30.

Onhwy61 is correct- most preamps have no output transformer. But with preamps the usual limitation at the output of the preamp is often the coupling cap, rather than an output transformer. Removing this part can result in a huge increase in detail/transparency and apparent speed without edginess or brightness.

Doing this is a but tricky; there are only a handful of ways to do it. Reliability is a factor- you don't want the preamp making DC voltages that could damage a power amplifier or speakers. We patented an elegant (IMO) method of doing this some years ago. Seems to me there are a few other tube preamps that also have direct-coupled outputs but this is quite rare! I think, other than the ones we make, you can count the others on one hand with fingers left over.
Ask Ralph he often contributes to posts here and Audio Asylum. I thought that pre amps didn't have output transformers but I may be wrong. If they do I have had very few if any compatibility problems.
I believe you need a cap to block DC at either the ouput of the preamp, or the input of the amp. You don't need both, so it may be safe to remove one or the other as long as you keep this in mind when changing to other components. I'm no tech, just a tinkerer, so please, someone correct me if I am wrong. This cap will change the sound, but I suppose it's possible to prefer it with, rather than without. I removed them from my vintage amps and it did improve the sound. I now have to be careful though that any pre I use will have output caps.
Thank you all for your inputs.

Yes, it is output coupling cap.

Could you please suggest some line only preamplifiers without output coupling cap?

I like Amtasphere but I don't have turntable. Having a preamplifier with phono input is underutilizing its full capability.

Happy Listening!

Otto
I'll take a risky guess here and assume you mean direct coupled tube line stages?: Sonic Frontiers.
Unsound, thank you.

I am just not familiar with these terms.

Yes, it is direct coupled (DC) output tube line stage only pre-amplifier.

Sonic Frontiers? Which model? 2 or 3?

Otto
08-30-12: Hifiharv
I believe you need a cap to block DC at either the ouput of the preamp, or the input of the amp. You don't need both, so it may be safe to remove one or the other as long as you keep this in mind when changing to other components. I'm no tech, just a tinkerer, so please, someone correct me if I am wrong.
There are some tube preamp designs that will put out DC voltages on the order of 150 volts or more if the output coupling capacitor is eliminated. The voltage would be sourced through an impedance that is most likely high enough to limit current flow to non-lethal levels in the event of accidental bodily contact. But I would not make any such change to a tube preamp without careful study of the schematic, or input from a qualified person who has knowledge of the specific design.

The input circuit of the amp, and especially the voltage rating of its input coupling capacitor, should also be looked at to assure it can withstand that voltage, and with considerable margin so that long-term reliability is not degraded.

Another concern that occurs to me in that situation, where the preamp design is such that removal of its output coupling capacitor results in a large DC voltage, is the possibility of a significant increase in the severity of the turn-on transient that can result if the preamp is inadvertently turned on after the amp has already been powered up.

Regards,
-- Al
The Sonic Frontiers preamps have cap-coupled outputs to my knowledge.

The only tube preamps with direct coupled outputs are the Atma-Sphere (line stage or with phono) and the Messenger, which is single-ended.
IIRC there is a direct coupled version of the Cary SLP-98 available from Upscale Audio. I think it is called the F1.


All Supratek pre amplifiers from Mick Maloney are transformer coupled this is what their owners love about their sound.??
Preamp on the left with two domes being the output transformers, and the power supply for the preamp on the right

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrHOUdYsCSM/WddLYi3wHqI/AAAAAAAAAqE/KbFkUVAQvU0JIadgKV5p55qmXn4dBq73wCLcB...

Cheers George