synsei
11-12-2013, 20:22
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3925.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3925.jpg.html)
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3923.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3923.jpg.html)
On offer here is my wonderful Classé Audio DR5 pre-amp. This has been a mainstay in my system for nearly three years however it is time to move it on, not because I have reached the limits of its performance, I would need to spend far more money on other equipment to attain that target, but simply because I need to reshape the system to harvest some readies.
The DR-5 has one of those nicely symmetrical, sensibly attired faceplates designed for instant familiarity. Between the handles, from left to right, are four primary rotary controls: input selector, mode, balance and volume. The first chooses phono and four line inputs, three identical (CD and two auxiliaries) with 'tuner' padded down by 6dB to accommodate what Classé feels to be a tuner's typically higher output. (It also comes in handy when using a DAC known to be a few dB more generous than the norm.) The mode selector offers stereo, reverse, mono and L-only or R-only. Balance has a no-nonsense centre-detent, while there are 32 steps on the volume control including full-off. Forget the Nikon rattle, this stuff is Leica silky. If the styling doesn't reinforce any notions of perceived value then a quick twirl of the knobs or a flick of the switches will tell you that you are, indeed, in the presence of luxury goods.
The four toggles select tape/source, phono/bypass (for direct feed of the phono signal past the input selector, tape and mode switches), polarity inversion and mute. The mute function is an absolute necessity with this pre-amp as there is no mains on/off. Classé argues that the DR-5 sounds best only after it's been powered up for a while, and they are right, it takes a good couple of hours after switch-on for the '5 to sound its best. The DR-5 is unlikely to make your electricity meter go into a spin though, so leaving it on at all times is advisable.
At the back are a row of gold-plated RCA sockets, balanced input and outputs and a switch to select between m-m and m-c operation. Loading for the excellent phonostage is accomplished automatically through the use of self-adjusting impedance circuits, but m-c gain is user selectable. Classé supplies a kit of resistors to allow the user to vary the factory setting of 24dB gain (in addition to the m-m gain of 35dB) in 2dB steps; the range is 20dB-40dB, so you'd be hard-pressed to find an m-c cartridge which can't be accommodated. The resistors are fitted internally into gold-plated press-fit sockets, and silver solder is supplied for users who wish to make the change a permanent one. This technique, whilst less convenient than a rotary selector on the front panel, is about as practical and thorough a method as you could hope to find.
The circuit board is fully populated with discrete boutique components so no op-amps wearing trainers have been allowed to enter this exclusive club (I forgot to photograph the innards today so I will add this to my listing tomorrow)
Operation, aside from fine-tuning the m-c stage, is virtually instinctive. You must remember to make allowances for the lack of a mains switch on the pre-amp by employing the mute toggle whenever changing plugs at the back though. Because of the toggle switches position this becomes second nature however. Despite the Spartan appearance, the DR-5 offers everything one would require for full control of a complex system, with the exception of a second tape loop that is.
This unit was built in 1990 and cost £1995 to buy at that time. It has picked up a few very minor scuffs here and there along the way but there really is nothing drastic, in fact the worst of these are visible on the photo of the DR5's top plate. They are located on the top, rear of the front plate therefore cannot be seen once the DR5 is in situ, unless you prefer looking at the rear of your equipment of course. Having said that the DR5's rear end is prettier than most. There is also a minor scuff to the right edge of the righthand handle. The lower left leg of the 'M' in the 'Mute' graphic has worn away over time too however this is a minor detail ;)
Due to the tremendous quality of build and fabulously open and articulate sound available from this pre-amp I think £500ono is a vary reasonable asking price for this premium product. P&P will be around £15 insured as it is a heavy old lump ;)
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3924.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3924.jpg.html)
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3922.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3922.jpg.html)
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3923.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3923.jpg.html)
On offer here is my wonderful Classé Audio DR5 pre-amp. This has been a mainstay in my system for nearly three years however it is time to move it on, not because I have reached the limits of its performance, I would need to spend far more money on other equipment to attain that target, but simply because I need to reshape the system to harvest some readies.
The DR-5 has one of those nicely symmetrical, sensibly attired faceplates designed for instant familiarity. Between the handles, from left to right, are four primary rotary controls: input selector, mode, balance and volume. The first chooses phono and four line inputs, three identical (CD and two auxiliaries) with 'tuner' padded down by 6dB to accommodate what Classé feels to be a tuner's typically higher output. (It also comes in handy when using a DAC known to be a few dB more generous than the norm.) The mode selector offers stereo, reverse, mono and L-only or R-only. Balance has a no-nonsense centre-detent, while there are 32 steps on the volume control including full-off. Forget the Nikon rattle, this stuff is Leica silky. If the styling doesn't reinforce any notions of perceived value then a quick twirl of the knobs or a flick of the switches will tell you that you are, indeed, in the presence of luxury goods.
The four toggles select tape/source, phono/bypass (for direct feed of the phono signal past the input selector, tape and mode switches), polarity inversion and mute. The mute function is an absolute necessity with this pre-amp as there is no mains on/off. Classé argues that the DR-5 sounds best only after it's been powered up for a while, and they are right, it takes a good couple of hours after switch-on for the '5 to sound its best. The DR-5 is unlikely to make your electricity meter go into a spin though, so leaving it on at all times is advisable.
At the back are a row of gold-plated RCA sockets, balanced input and outputs and a switch to select between m-m and m-c operation. Loading for the excellent phonostage is accomplished automatically through the use of self-adjusting impedance circuits, but m-c gain is user selectable. Classé supplies a kit of resistors to allow the user to vary the factory setting of 24dB gain (in addition to the m-m gain of 35dB) in 2dB steps; the range is 20dB-40dB, so you'd be hard-pressed to find an m-c cartridge which can't be accommodated. The resistors are fitted internally into gold-plated press-fit sockets, and silver solder is supplied for users who wish to make the change a permanent one. This technique, whilst less convenient than a rotary selector on the front panel, is about as practical and thorough a method as you could hope to find.
The circuit board is fully populated with discrete boutique components so no op-amps wearing trainers have been allowed to enter this exclusive club (I forgot to photograph the innards today so I will add this to my listing tomorrow)
Operation, aside from fine-tuning the m-c stage, is virtually instinctive. You must remember to make allowances for the lack of a mains switch on the pre-amp by employing the mute toggle whenever changing plugs at the back though. Because of the toggle switches position this becomes second nature however. Despite the Spartan appearance, the DR-5 offers everything one would require for full control of a complex system, with the exception of a second tape loop that is.
This unit was built in 1990 and cost £1995 to buy at that time. It has picked up a few very minor scuffs here and there along the way but there really is nothing drastic, in fact the worst of these are visible on the photo of the DR5's top plate. They are located on the top, rear of the front plate therefore cannot be seen once the DR5 is in situ, unless you prefer looking at the rear of your equipment of course. Having said that the DR5's rear end is prettier than most. There is also a minor scuff to the right edge of the righthand handle. The lower left leg of the 'M' in the 'Mute' graphic has worn away over time too however this is a minor detail ;)
Due to the tremendous quality of build and fabulously open and articulate sound available from this pre-amp I think £500ono is a vary reasonable asking price for this premium product. P&P will be around £15 insured as it is a heavy old lump ;)
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3924.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3924.jpg.html)
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3922.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/SAM_3922.jpg.html)