2. amps-preamps
  3. 1276356977

Lightspeed Attenuator - Best Preamp Ever?

The question is a bit rhetorical. No preamp is the best ever, and much depends on system context. I am starting this thread beacuase there is a lot of info on this preamp in a Music First Audio Passive...thread, an Slagle AVC Modules...thread and wanted to be sure that information on this amazing product did not get lost in those threads.

I suspect that many folks may give this preamp a try at $450, direct from Australia, so I thought it would be good for current owners and future owners to have a place to describe their experience with this preamp.

It is a passive preamp that uses light LEDs, rather than mechanical contacts, to alter resistance and thereby attenuation of the source signal. It has been extremely hot in the DIY community, since the maker of this preamp provided gernerously provided information on how to make one. The trick is that while there are few parts, getting it done right, the matching of the parts is time consuming and tricky, and to boot, most of use would solder our fingers together if we tried. At $450, don't bother. It is cased in a small chassis that is fully shielded alloy, it gets it's RF sink earth via the interconnects. Vibration doesn't come into it as there is nothing to get vibrated as it's passive, even the active led's are immune as they are gas element, no filaments. The feet I attach are soft silicon/sorbethane compound anyway just in case.

This is not audio jewelry with bling, but solidly made and there is little room (if any) for audionervosa or tweaking.

So is this the best preamp ever? It might be if you have a single source (though you could use a switch box), your source is 2v or higher, your IC from pre-amp to amp is less than 2m to keep capaitance low, your amp is 5kohm input or higher (most any tube amp), and your amp is relatively sensitive (1v input sensitivity or lower v would be just right). In other words, within a passive friendly system (you do have to give this some thought), this is the finest passive preamp I have ever heard, and I have has many ranging form resistor-based to TVCs and AVCs.

In my system, with my equipment, I think it is the best I have heard passive or active, but I lean towards prefering preamp neutrality and transparency, without loosing musicality, dynamics, or the handling of low bass and highs.

If you own one, what are your impressions versus anything you have heard?

Is it the best ever? I suspect for some it may be, and to say that for a $450 product makes it stupidgood.
pubul57
clio09
3,353 posts
 
CES is huge, think downtown Manhattan in rush hour. Proper planning can assure you get to see what you want, and potentially in off-peak hours. The rooms are good size and I find the set-up done properly can sound very good. It can be intimidating at first, but overall not so bad. IMO it will be proportionally worse space wise at RMAF on Saturday when you get the full impact of the outsiders and locals attending. The Venetian will be crowded, but there's more space to work with overall.

I think the jewel is THE SHOW. Last year it was at the Flamingo and was done very well IMO. You'll get more boutique manufacturers, less crowds, and can cover more ground in less time. The kicker would be if the NSF exhibit room is on for this year. An audiophile(s?) rents the space and provides a funky lounge atmosphere (no pun) with adult beverages and music. Last year John DeVore had his speakers in the room and the rest of the system I believe was supplied by the sponsor(?). Played lots of vinyl too. THE SHOW is where Ralph sets up shop, as does Brian Cheney (VMPS), Audio Note, and a few other notables.
Post removed 
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
I'll think about it, sounds like fun. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.....
clio09
3,353 posts
 
The Audio Note UK room is always well done. They crank up some rock music on that system too which sort of surprised me. Sounded really good too.

As per the last couple RMAF shows Ralph's equipment will be in the Galibier Design room. Arguably will have some of the best analog sound at the show.
jdec
123 posts
 
"I too will be getting an opportunity to hear the LSA and compare it to my TRL Dude. That should be fun. More importantly, I will involve my non-audiophile, musician wife in a blinded listening test between the two and will report on her findings rather than mine." (Agear)

Agear, have you been able to do this comparison yet? looking forward to it.
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