Russian Tube Preamp, No Return, Here I go again

@surfmuz, Check this out, https://iconaudio.com/gu81-mono-blocks-250-watts-of-triode-power-mb81-pp
Not bad for $16 K a pair. I would still rather JC 1+ but not bad.

seller said: 

"is a circuit analogue of the famous M-7 preamplifier from Mr. Hiroyashi Kondo"

I paid no attention to that when ordering, but now, while waiting:

interview with Hiroyashi Kondo

https://www.stereophile.com/interviews/597kondo/index.html

his company carries on, the current M7 Preamp

https://www.audionote.co.jp/en/products/pre_amplifier/m7heritage.html

I'd hate to pay for that, I got the budget version

isochronism2,521 posts02-13-2021 8:58amI hope they're rushin' to get it to ya'

also funny,

in fact, it was done, just waiting to know what voltage transformer to install. testing today, ships tomorrow.

tablejockey

Good luck-no surprises and smoke when powered up.

I once fired up a vintage amp, ugg, wisp of smoke and smell. hurriedly unplugged it (it had no switch)

took the bottom off, a spider nest, big one got fried. That's the last time I was too lazy to view the innards first.

lewm,

you would think I had a choice of a lot of vintage stuff, but right now there is not much available,

https://www.ebay.com/sch/67807/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=tube+preamp&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1

I have 2 Fisher 500C tube receivers downstairs, I just don’t want something that big in here.

This actually started because I am giving a TT to a friend and it/she needs a phono stage, soooo, why not get tube phono for my office and give her my current one. Almost got a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2, that kind of established a budget,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-S2-Phono-Preamplifier-Black/392274169114?epid=28035808843...

 then I saw the Russian one, hmm, tubes for R2R also, what a good idea.