nat8808
28-06-2012, 03:13
A rare thing and not really sure I should sell.. but I'm fairly sure I've gone balanced.
XTC Pre 2 Line Pre ! In Martin Colloms's ratings, he gives it 80 on his own performance scale, above Audio Research Ref 2, Krell Evolution 202, Conrad Johnson ART 1 and 2..and many many other top pre's.. for what that is worth anyway.
The designer of the XTC Pre 1, Chris Bryant, made the XTC Pre 2 from late Pre 1s but the updated design was never released by Orelle (XTC).. according to a reliable source who is in contact with Chris Bryant, only 30 were ever made!
The Pre 2 uses a revised circuit with different output devices, has a "never-connected" power supply, has the internal heatsinks removed to prevent magnetic interactions with the bipolar devices and a non-magnetic cover (black acrylic). Also has a nice blue power LED and is in silver - not sure if these were also part of the Pre 1 specs or not.
The XTC is remote controlled with motorised volume and of course comes complete with the remote.
Hard to price (so please dont bite my head off if you think I'm asking too much) but going to ask £495 considering that the standard Pre 1 changes hands for £350 or so. This is something special and rare and does sound superb.
The pics:
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2313/sg101411.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6734/sg101409.jpg
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/982/sg101406.jpg
XTC Pre 2 Line Pre ! In Martin Colloms's ratings, he gives it 80 on his own performance scale, above Audio Research Ref 2, Krell Evolution 202, Conrad Johnson ART 1 and 2..and many many other top pre's.. for what that is worth anyway.
The designer of the XTC Pre 1, Chris Bryant, made the XTC Pre 2 from late Pre 1s but the updated design was never released by Orelle (XTC).. according to a reliable source who is in contact with Chris Bryant, only 30 were ever made!
The Pre 2 uses a revised circuit with different output devices, has a "never-connected" power supply, has the internal heatsinks removed to prevent magnetic interactions with the bipolar devices and a non-magnetic cover (black acrylic). Also has a nice blue power LED and is in silver - not sure if these were also part of the Pre 1 specs or not.
The XTC is remote controlled with motorised volume and of course comes complete with the remote.
Hard to price (so please dont bite my head off if you think I'm asking too much) but going to ask £495 considering that the standard Pre 1 changes hands for £350 or so. This is something special and rare and does sound superb.
The pics:
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2313/sg101411.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6734/sg101409.jpg
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/982/sg101406.jpg