2. amps-preamps
  3. 193576-202275

Preamplifier options - seeking help to determine which one

Hello everyone

 

I have made a number of posts already and I hope you are not yet annoyed with all my beginner questions. 

I will proceed with a Yamamoto amplifier and I will need a preamplifier with a phono stage that allows my Denon 103R. 

Yamamoto makes two preamplifiers

1) Yamamoto Sound Craft CA-03 Vacuum tube preamplifier with built-in tube phono encoder 

2) Yamamoto Sound Craft CA-04 Tube Type Line Level Preamplifier

Ad. 1: This preamplifier is more expensive that CA-04 and it comes in two versions: Double volume adjustment or Level Attenuator - the latter being a bit more expensive. What is the difference here and what do you recommend me to choose? 

It allows for MC pickups but "Since the maximum output is about 28V, it can be used not only for MC cartridges, but also for MM cartridges with large output and MC cartridges with high output" - will it be a problem to use a Denon 103R with low output? Will it be necessary with a SUT to make the Denon 103R to perform better?

Ad. 2. This option is less expensive. It seems more simple but I'm not sure what the difference to the CA-03 really is. I guess I would need a external phono stage or a SUT to allow my Denon 103R in the system.

 

Bonus question: I use an Apple Airport (yes, I know) to stream from Qobuz. Can I use the Airport with both options using an AUX or CD input just as I'm doing with my current Sansui AU 9500? It's just to be sure.

 

Thank you very much. I hope you can help me elaborating on the differences and explain the different terms (attenuator, line amplifier, etc.). 

 

apollinaire
jaybe
774 posts
 

Biggest difference is that one has a phono pre. More features, more money. They both have line pres.

apollinaire OP
25 posts
 

Ok. Can you explain me the other differences? Double volume adjustment and Level Attenuator for instances? Would be it wise to choose the more expensive Level Attenuator? 

 

jaybe
774 posts
 

Unfortunately they dont say much about the specs for these units. Inadequate to make a judgement on the cartridge output. Same with the volume controls. I'm not a tube guru either but am not familiar with these tubes at all.

I'm guessing most folks here have little or no experience with this brand.

Can I ask what drives you to these products? Are you aware you can buy some pretty good proven equipment in this price range that are better know in the hifi world than these pieces. Not saying they're bad, but I'm not sure anyone can really say anything about this brand. However, if you asked for recommendations in this price range you'll get a lot of responses.

hoytis
105 posts
 

Regarding CA-03, I'm assuming the attenuator version doesn't add any gain, so it's cleaner sounding with better signal-to-noise ratio. If you tend to listen mostly at low volume then this version would be great. But if you like to pump it up at times, you might want to go with volume version, which I'm sure would sound pretty amazing too.

Either version of CA-03 will work with you Denon DL-103R. No need for a SUT. Just set the back switch to 100 ohms.

You are correct, CA-04 is just line-level preamp without the phono stage. You would need an external phono preamp with this choice. SUTs only bring low MC signals up to phono level NOT line level. They cannot work by plugging them into line-level inputs. SUTs need to be plugged into "phono" inputs. That said, if you do buy an external phono stage make sure it can accept MC cartridges or you will have to also buy a SUT.

Yes, you can plug the Airport into the AUX on the new preamp, just as you use the AUX on the Sansui.

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