Tube Research Labs Latest Dude Preamp

I am told that the new Dude will be identical from a circuit standpoint -- this is referring to recent builds (there were some changes in the last couple of years that most units either have or were subsequently performed by TRL). This is a packaging (casework) upgrade. Plus, Paul will do "custom" features if requested. Paul is a great guy and makes World Class products. His primary concern is customer satisfaction. To me, state of the art performance at real world prices. One last note, I am not associated w/ TRL in any way...simply a satisfied customer.

I think a few closing comments are appropriate. Paul made me this offer with no strings attached. After he contacted me I sent him a scathing letter questioning his motivation and making demands of my own. His offer stood even after all that. There was no quid pro quo here and he expected nothing in return. Actually says allot about the man. The decision to create this post was mine and mine alone.

Personally I'm sickened by this whole experience where others are feeling joy and exuberating. It was never my intention to squeeze anything out of TRL. This does bother greatly. I had to question myself in that what kind of a person would I be if I did not accept his offer?

I'm just chalking up the dire predictions about using a third party as nonsense. The people I talked to seemed genuine in there knowledge and in their desire to help and I thank them for that.

Thanks for the update and your closing comments Charlie. I hope this works out for you, please keep us updated.

Glory, what was wrong with La45's post? As I said a number of times all the bickering and attacks on the customer from the TRL camp were not working in TRL's favor. I think there is a valuable lesson that should be learned here (once again as history has a way of repeating itself). Don't you? Paul really didn't have a choice in the end. He should have made the offer much sooner before things erupted, but in the end he came through and that is what matters.

BTW - very nice of you to apologize to Charlie. Indeed very good character shown on your part.

A few quotes from Paul regarding my new fully balance unit:

"The Dude now weighs about twice what yours does at 72#, the
balanced will probably be about 85-90#. "

"The balanced use a 4-deck Shallco 45-step attenuator with our TRL bearings on the
shaft. Also a 4-deck Shallco input switch."

"It uses a bigger tube (6080's) instead of 6sn7's for the active circuitry like in
our GTP6 introduced in 2003 so it'll drive low-impedance loads."

Piling on late, but I too can heap praise upon Paul. Great guy, always fair, honest and helpful in my experience. I'm a satisfied TRL owner.
Truman/Atlanta