In Need of a new Preamp...

[Frankyc2003]

Hi everyone,

Here is my new conundrum!

My Audion Silver Night 300B is essentially a power amplifier with a volume control.
All good and sounding fab, but I have 3 sources (1 Analogue, 2 Digitals).
So I am now getting a little tired of getting around the rack and swapping ICs around all the time.

I have been considering Passive solutions (Tisbury), Active (Pass B1 clones) or an altogether more radical approach, the Audiolab CDQ (CD, DAC & Pre and a remote!).
The last solution is by far the most expensive, but it offers 3 upgrades in one package:eyebrows:, and I could sell the rDac and the CA cd player to help funding some of it…

My max budget is £1K

Any thoughts are very much appreciated

Thanks

[Andrei]

According to mag reviews the Audiolab is an über CD player. I haven't heard it myself but it has the Sabre 9018 Dac chip which is pretty much top dog in off-the-shelf designs. My W4S and Oppo use it so I know what it is capable of.

[CageyH]

Pro-Ject Pre Box RS, or Pre Box RS Digital?
I am quite impressed with my Pre Box RS. The remote is a bit "Mickey Mouse" but it has one.
Three single ended inputs and three balanced.

[Frankyc2003]

According to mag reviews the Audiolab is an über CD player. I haven't heard it myself but it has the Sabre 9018 Dac chip which is pretty much top dog in off-the-shelf designs. My W4S and Oppo use it so I know what it is capable of.

Exactly what I heard too Andrei… It is a very tempting package.
Reviews are less clear re. the analogue part of the preamp…

Just wondered of anyone had any experience with it?

:)

[Frankyc2003]

Pro-Ject Pre Box RS, or Pre Box RS Digital?
I am quite impressed with my Pre Box RS. The remote is a bit "Mickey Mouse" but it has one.
Three single ended inputs and three balanced.

That's interesting that it's switchable between SS and Tube! I will have a proper look at this one, cheers

[Lee Henley]

I've had an Audiolab CDQ and in all honesty I didn't think much of it as a Dac or a Pre, I really dont feel it would be a good match for the 300B amps, all my opinion of course and with my ears

[Gazjam]

I'd jump at this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Densen-B-200-Preamp-/111591947914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item19fb65fe8a

Review here:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue59/densen.htm


Looking for a Pre myself, just bought summit else or I'd have it!

[Frankyc2003]

I've had an Audiolab CDQ and in all honesty I didn't think much of it as a Dac or a Pre, I really dont feel it would be a good match for the 300B amps, all my opinion of course and with my ears

Thanks for your honesty. That's why this forum is so good! I am always interested in other's experiences and opinions!
:bulb:

[Virkon]

Trilogy 902 now spare if you fancy not got round to advertising it yet.

[walpurgis]

I wouldn't use an Audiolab pre-amp with a 300B power amp (in fact I wouldn't use Audiolab at all).

[roob]

Chevron Audio Paradox pre http://www.chevronaudio.co.uk/html/preamplifier.html.
I use one and nothing I have tried has ousted it yet including the Tisbury.

[hifinutt]

this very good value sonic euphoria has a few devoted fans and as a passive tvc amp is rather good

http://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/amplification/sonic-euphoria-plc-preamplifier/

[Frankyc2003]

I wouldn't use an Audiolab pre-amp with a 300B power amp (in fact I wouldn't use Audiolab at all).

:lol: I can see a pattern forming...

OK, so let's say I have dismissed the idea of the audiolab... mayb as a CD player... ;)

[Frankyc2003]

Trilogy 902 now spare if you fancy not got round to advertising it yet.

Cheers John,
Why don't you PM me with a ball park of what you have in mind for it?
Cheers

[Frankyc2003]

this very good value sonic euphoria has a few devoted fans and as a passive tvc amp is rather good

http://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/amplification/sonic-euphoria-plc-preamplifier/

You see here, I have to admit I am confused.
So far I can see Transformer based ones like the Sonic Euphoria and the resistors based ones like Tisbury? Am I right and is there any other tyopes of passive devices?
What would be th benefit of each routes?
Thanks all for your heolp and advice BTW:cool:

[6L6]

Don't bother with the standard B1. Been there, done that, wrote the build guide. Look instead into the Salas DCB1, also known as the Mesmerize. (Haven't built one, as I do need a bit of gain in my system, but all reports are extremely positive.) Boards available at diyAudio.

Or the BA-3 front end as a Preamp -- I'm honestly chuffed to bits with mine... http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/258022-ba-3-preamp-build-guide.html#post3968063

Or, if you are willing to take a slightly different tack, build an O2 headphone amp and add a switch and some RCA jacks, toss it into a fancy box and use it as a preamp. It's the most transparent widget I own, save the F4 power amp. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[andrasszamek]

Do you have audio dealers in your area? I would recommend that you try a 3-4 different preamps at home to learn what you want and what works with your amp. Try the audiolab as well to get first hand experience, maybe it floats your boat. Matching your preamp is crucial. Report back to us, it would be interesting to hear what you find!

[Frankyc2003]

Or, if you are willing to take a slightly different tack, build an O2 headphone amp and add a switch and some RCA jacks, toss it into a fancy box and use it as a preamp. It's the most transparent widget I own, save the F4 power amp. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Cheers for all the info Jim, but surely the gain must be adjusted on the circuit to match sources like a DAC or a Phono (don't shoot me if I am stating the obvious...;-))

[hifinutt]

tvc passives have a lot of advantages over ordinary passives but they both have their merits

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=112255&page=3

I have never once had any trouble matching pre amps to my power amps . had rather a lot of pre amps of every shade

the chap who started this thread on the wam has a sonic euphoria for many years now and built like a tank and not bad sounding at all

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?105800-Passive-Pre-amplification

[6L6]

surely the gain must be adjusted on the circuit to match sources like a DAC or a Phono

...other than the big knob marked "volume"?

:)



Actually yes, there is, it has a gain switch as well.

Like I said, it's an awfully nice box.

[Frankyc2003]

:D