montesquieu
07-03-2013, 17:38
Cupboard clearout continues ....
As many here know I'm a huge fan of the Pass B1 'buffer'/preamp, a DIY design that is a complete knockout and outperforms kit at many times the cost to make. It seems to me that too much gain is a curse that afflicts many systems. It's always seemed nuts to me to throw away most of the signal as it comes in then amplify it again, which is what a normal preamp does much of the time. The B1 starts with the premise that there is enough gain already and that the only tasks of a preamp are switching, impedance matching and attenuation (not amplification), with attention paid to maintaining the musical integrity of the signal (including nuance & timing) that can get lost on the way through.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0708/first_watt_b1_preamplifier.htm
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0708/first_watt_b1_preamplifier.htm
Anyway this particular B1 is exceptionally well built, with lots of high-end components: Mundorf caps, Kiwame and Holco resistors, pure silver wiring. The mains transformer has separate windings for audio and relay/remote control circuit. The remote handset controls both volume and switching - four inputs, two outputs one amplified the other 'pass through'. It defauls automatically to setting 2 when switched on.
It's in an all-metal case with 10mm anodized alloy front, a very professional job. Screws went missing for the top cover so it's just sitting on at present.
Anyway this B1 sounds absolutely wonderful, intensely musical, better than ANY passive preamp out there. To me it sounds tube-like in its ability to communicate and of course it's dead silent, no tube rush even when turned up full. I'd put it up against any tube, SS or passive preamp at £1500+ retail confident it would walk away with the honours.
In true spirit of the Wam I'm selling it for what I paid which is £350 including courier in the UK.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/B1_zps4e38a21c.jpg
As many here know I'm a huge fan of the Pass B1 'buffer'/preamp, a DIY design that is a complete knockout and outperforms kit at many times the cost to make. It seems to me that too much gain is a curse that afflicts many systems. It's always seemed nuts to me to throw away most of the signal as it comes in then amplify it again, which is what a normal preamp does much of the time. The B1 starts with the premise that there is enough gain already and that the only tasks of a preamp are switching, impedance matching and attenuation (not amplification), with attention paid to maintaining the musical integrity of the signal (including nuance & timing) that can get lost on the way through.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0708/first_watt_b1_preamplifier.htm
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0708/first_watt_b1_preamplifier.htm
Anyway this particular B1 is exceptionally well built, with lots of high-end components: Mundorf caps, Kiwame and Holco resistors, pure silver wiring. The mains transformer has separate windings for audio and relay/remote control circuit. The remote handset controls both volume and switching - four inputs, two outputs one amplified the other 'pass through'. It defauls automatically to setting 2 when switched on.
It's in an all-metal case with 10mm anodized alloy front, a very professional job. Screws went missing for the top cover so it's just sitting on at present.
Anyway this B1 sounds absolutely wonderful, intensely musical, better than ANY passive preamp out there. To me it sounds tube-like in its ability to communicate and of course it's dead silent, no tube rush even when turned up full. I'd put it up against any tube, SS or passive preamp at £1500+ retail confident it would walk away with the honours.
In true spirit of the Wam I'm selling it for what I paid which is £350 including courier in the UK.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/B1_zps4e38a21c.jpg