yet another tube preamp recommendation thread

If the Sudebaker comment was directed at a preamp, it was made with NO knowledge of the situation.  Guy contacts me that he has bought a used preamp of mine and it is clicking on some volume settings.  He is third owner.  People flip gear, it happens.   Shows me photo of inside and someone has soldered things in there, changing caps, etc..  So I am helping guy out for cost of postage for a part I have on hand.  If it doesn't solve it, I will help him further at little cost to him even though I never even made the sale.  I would say that is not a Studebaker.  I am here, helping a guy who bought a used preamp that was hacked up by someone else.   He is not orphaned.

let me chime in here on the don sachs unit i spoke of below... my comment was not meant to diminish don or his piece... it was just reporting my one data point, which is in the process of being worked through to what i foresee as a good outcome

don is correct on all counts in his posts, he has been a prince, responsive, and helpful to me - the unit had been messed with (not disclosed by the bad seller ’divertiti’ who is also here on a-gon, he represented the unit as stock and mint) and it wasn’t working right when i got it - like i said, i bought it used, once in a long while, you get burned by a sleaze-bag seller.... my bad in this case ...

i picked up this unit largely based on the love that owners of don’s units show in this forum and others, commenting on the quality and sound

don and I have exchanged messages, pictures and phone calls, he has indeed sent me the new PS board for the volume control, should be here soon, look forward to getting it up and running as it should be.

as for the 'studebaker' comment, i would say that is ignorant and demeaning for no good reason... great hifi electronics often sound good because of their simplicity, build quality of materials and workmanship... is don’s piece over-engineered and fort knoxed like an Audio Research or Luxman? of course not... his efforts are to extract the best sound from a proven circuit and design, focusing money and effort where they serve music first and foremost - a lot of respect for don’s approach

as for the 'studebaker' comment, i would say that is ignorant and demeaning for no good reason

Sometimes when I see a comment like that, I go look at other comments to see if there's a pattern. Can be quite revealing.

@donsachs - I must say I applaud your efforts here and what you're doing for this client who's received a 3rd party piece. I have often extended that same courtesy, simply for the cost of parts. I love hearing about excellent service! Best regards, Aric

I did not realize my Studebaker comment would ruffle such feathers. Studebaker was an automobile company which offered a model named Avanti. After looking it up just now, the model was marketed by them 1962 - 1963. (a Canadian co. took over that model for a couple more years) I was off by two years. I only intended an inside acknowledgment to the OP. My Dad had a 1956 Commander, which he taught me to drive in 1965 at the age of seven. (3 on the tree) just a little nostalgia, guys. Sheeze...