Passive Preamps - Tisbury v NVA.

[Audioman]

What sources are you using? The Albarrys have a very very low input impedance of 5.1kOhms, which isn't a problem with low output impedance sources, but could be with something like a passive output DAC or certain Audio Note DACs.

Teac T1/TD1 transport/dac, Denon 2900, Rega Fono - all plenty of output using loan Albarry passive. I'm aware of the sensitivity problem - Andrew couldn't use them with his Audio Synthesis DAX dac (1.5v). Stuff with 2.0v+ output works.

[synsei]

Will Anthony adjust component values to suit your equipment? This is a big plus for the Tisbury and, according to what I have read, essential for passives.

Yes Jerry, my unit is completely bespoke and I gave Anthony a component list via email before he began work

[Covenant]

Brilliant, glad I hesitated about buying the Tisbury.I will wait for your comments on it's performance Dave but a proper review would be even better!

[synsei]

I will do my best Jerry. Incidentally, as specced mine will have two outputs, one fixed and t'other variable plus three inputs

[User211]

Looks lovely so far.

Is that one of those Dale resistor pots?

[synsei]

Looks lovely so far.

Is that one of those Dale resistor pots?

It is indeed Justin

[wee tee cee]

I run the tisbury with temple mono blocks. I run different impedance settings on statics and spendors. I opted for one input, two variable outs and one fixed-they charged me a tenner to tailor the spec to my requirements. Great pre with little or no impact on the sound between source and amps. Also run it with a pair of valve kel84 mono blocks and previously a croft power amp.....its not fussy about partnering equipment. In my set up it replaced an active pre, I have never had the urge to replace it.

[Elephantears]

I'm aware of the sensitivity problem - Andrew couldn't use them with his Audio Synthesis DAX dac (1.5v). Stuff with 2.0v+ output works.

Just to be a bit pedantic - it was the DAX Discrete (no the original DAX), which outputs only 1.5V; this is direct from the DAC chip, with no op-amps or anything else in the output stage. It's not that I could't use it; I just don't think it was optimum.

[Macca]

Have tried Tisbury also have NVA P90. The P90 is better at retaining slam and impact but I guess this will be system dependant. Have a problem with to much gain with both, suspect I need some sort of buffer device but no idea even where to start with that.

[YNWaN]

RFC do one for that very purpose.