Give Roger Modjeski at Music Reference a call. He builds one-off pre-amps, and is a proponent of zero-gain or passive designs of such.
unity gain active tube preamp?
Short version: I am looking for a unity gain active tube preamp. The only one I have found on-line is the Audion line (Premier 2.0 is more or less in my price range). Not really familiar with them. I was wondering whether there were other preamps like this worth considering???
Longer: I have a Lampi Atlantic Plus Balanced DSD only dac, a Cary SLP-05 pre, a Modwright KWA-150se power amp, all driving Aerial Model 9 speakers. This combination has too much gain (Lampi has 3v output voltage, Cary maxes at 2v). I am using Endler attenuators to control the gain (before pre works better than before power), but they impair dynamics.
Some on the Lampi Circle recommend a passive, but I prefer a richer tone. The Tortuga pre sounds like it might work, but it is an impedance mismatch for my system and I would need to use their tube buffer as well. That buffer would require me to use another set of ics and possibly another PS (more damn boxes) and i don't really want to go that route. Also, their buffer is brand new and lacks the clear positive feedback of their passives.
So, I had been told that there were zero gain active tube press that might work for me. However, when i did a search I could only find the one. Please let me know if there are other options.
Thanks much.
Longer: I have a Lampi Atlantic Plus Balanced DSD only dac, a Cary SLP-05 pre, a Modwright KWA-150se power amp, all driving Aerial Model 9 speakers. This combination has too much gain (Lampi has 3v output voltage, Cary maxes at 2v). I am using Endler attenuators to control the gain (before pre works better than before power), but they impair dynamics.
Some on the Lampi Circle recommend a passive, but I prefer a richer tone. The Tortuga pre sounds like it might work, but it is an impedance mismatch for my system and I would need to use their tube buffer as well. That buffer would require me to use another set of ics and possibly another PS (more damn boxes) and i don't really want to go that route. Also, their buffer is brand new and lacks the clear positive feedback of their passives.
So, I had been told that there were zero gain active tube press that might work for me. However, when i did a search I could only find the one. Please let me know if there are other options.
Thanks much.
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- 18 posts total
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A used Musical Fidelity X-10v3 tube output buffer. shredder "If you want that tube warmth" Yes this is good but you need to also get a passive VC (volume control) before it. More $$$ Musical Fidelity have the same circuit in their Xcan-V3, but with normal size tubes, not the mini 6112 that are in the X10-V3. But you get with the Xcan-V3, a passive volume control built in, and a headphone jack as well. So this Xcan-V3 has all you need, but both units do have just a touch of gain (1 or 2db) above unity. Cheers George |
Why not have a custom SET- DHT preamp made for you ? I have a SET with only 1- stage is by far the purist active stage you can get .100% Transformer coupled Lundahl, orMonolithe , Tango,or whatever your budget could afford . Myself 5 transformers ,3 choke filter supplies ,all 4- pole output caps and bypassed with MundorfSilver oils the latest Shunt,relay remote from Khozmo. No coupling capacitors at all in the signal path. Amorphous core Audio output transformers , Silver if your budget can go the extra $2k Mile. Something to ponder though the Russian 4P1L tube is considered by many one of the most linear with lowest plate resistance but still have plenty of gain . Did you know the Vast majority of preamplifier have 2 ,or more stages indirect triodes .mean double the circuitry,and wiringplus regulators . You would have to spend well over $10-15k what this DHT can accomplish in purity for $6k. No commercial markup .myself being in the Audio business before know the production markup and only 25% of the cost at most goes into the product ,including the case. Custom over 70% goes into the build and the parts quality is Much higher - premium quality.Nothing was spared in the build process. Longevity,as well as lower distortion is the final result of precision hand built engineering . It took me over 30 years to except this fact but true .Amplifiers are another animal all together they are Loudspeaker dependent . |
- 18 posts total