Hi Quality Passive Preamp Recommendations

[JohnJo]

My system has been through a few changes of late, which has been unsettling at times, the main difference being bon-voyage to a Primaluna valve power amp and bonjour to solid state amplification in the shape of a big Avance Luxkit Z504 from Oliver Bigman 80. Initially I missed the euphoria but slowly succumbed to the dynamic and tonal realism and the bass control that 200WPC can offer to my big Tannoy HPDs. A further issue with this set up was that my little Yaqin valve buffer would shut down the protection in the SS power amp due to a weird voltage spike on its outputs a few seconds after power on which the Primaluna had completely ignored, so that had to go too.

I bought a very nice Puresound L10 in the hope of mating things up but this system seems to work very well with a simple passive preamp to which I've reverted.

So currently my system comprises Naim CDS1 CD player to Alps pot to Luxkit Z504 to Tannoy HPD 385s in Lockwood Academy cabinets (think Tannoy Berkeley - incidentally the Luxkit amp seems to have found the missing bass response I was looking for in my speakers but that's another story). I have Alps Blue and Black pots at hand and both have their positives (and negatives) which I'll summarise as follows:

Alps Blue 100K: Tight, clean, focused dynamic bass but glassy fatiguing mids which are hard to live with. Greater resolution than the Black. Soundstage sits further back.

Alps Black 50K: Beautifully warm, natural top to bottom tonality which makes for an easy listen, nice 3D presentation which comes further forward out into the room but bass slightly indistinct and a smidge detached or lagging behind the rest of the music. Less inner detail apparent.

Ultimately I prefer the warmth of the Black pot but would like the purity and resolution of the Blue plus a bit more as I realise these aren't exactly state of the art devices.

I've not completely ruled out a different valve pre but as there's no obvious lack of drive with just the passive I'm planning to sell/part exchange the Puresound to fund one of the following in my best guess order of preference as I've never heard any of them:

1. Townshend Allegri AVC
2. Music First Copper V2 TVC
3. Music First Copper V1 TVC (I suspect the silver versions of the MFAs may be too much of a good thing for me but maybe not?)
4. Khozmo series stepped attenuator
5. Alps RK50 potentiometer
6. TKD 2511 potentiometer
7. Whatever you recommend

Can any of you shed any light on the likely tonality of those on the list in comparison to my current Alps pots or recommend an alternative? Thankyou :thumbsup:

[graham67]

I would also add the glasshouse c core tvc to the list. Just as detailed but less clinical than the MFA copper and all other less expensive tvc and ldr passives I have tried.

[graham67]

Forgot to mention this was into quad 405-2, 405-3 amps into 15" HPDs. I tried at least half a dozen passives and the glasshouse c core was the only one that didn't sound a bit flat when compared to an active.

[hifinutt]

copper v2 is a brilliant pre , i think you will like it . i do . bags of dynamics , detail and very enjoyable . trouble is they seem very pricy these days . i sold mine 3 years ago at 950 pounds and they seem a lot more .

if you want to save a few bob , try the schiit saga at 360 quid , thats a lovely pre . not as good as the v2 but not as much either and in valve form its got a lovely warm sound with a real bounce

[fatmarley]

You could try a little bear passive pre from ebay. They are only £25 delivered, so not much lost if you don't like it. I use one with a quad 306 and don't feel the need to upgrade it.

[Andy831]

Another shout for the Glasshouse TVC. I have never heard the simple pot in a box Glasshouse But I have a tvc version and its very good.

[Covenant]

I got my pre made by BTE. It was matched to my Croft power amp and has a 24 stepped attenuator. Sounds good to me and very reasonably priced.
https://bte-designs.weebly.com/bte-designs-passive-preamplifiers.html

[MikeMusic]

Going with 7.
Both active
Just sold my Pass Labs XP-20. Still recommended as a very transparent Pre.
Rare but great if you can find one.

Slightly better is my Belles VT-01.
Coherent have one for sale 2nd hand at a bargain price.

[ijrussell]

I prefer a Pass DCB1 to a passive in most situations.

[JohnJo]

Thanks for all the great suggestion guys, keep 'em coming.

Townshend Allegri arriving tomorrow hopefully for a try out :)

[bbbiker800]

My system has been through a few changes of late, which has been unsettling at times, the main difference being bon-voyage to a Primaluna valve power amp and bonjour to solid state amplification in the shape of a big Avance Luxkit Z504 from Oliver Bigman 80. Initially I missed the euphoria but slowly succumbed to the dynamic and tonal realism and the bass control that 200WPC can offer to my big Tannoy HPDs. A further issue with this set up was that my little Yaqin valve buffer would shut down the protection in the SS power amp due to a weird voltage spike on its outputs a few seconds after power on which the Primaluna had completely ignored, so that had to go too.

I bought a very nice Puresound L10 in the hope of mating things up but this system seems to work very well with a simple passive preamp to which I've reverted.

So currently my system comprises Naim CDS1 CD player to Alps pot to Luxkit Z504 to Tannoy HPD 385s in Lockwood Academy cabinets (think Tannoy Berkeley - incidentally the Luxkit amp seems to have found the missing bass response I was looking for in my speakers but that's another story). I have Alps Blue and Black pots at hand and both have their positives (and negatives) which I'll summarise as follows:

Alps Blue 100K: Tight, clean, focused dynamic bass but glassy fatiguing mids which are hard to live with. Greater resolution than the Black. Soundstage sits further back.

Alps Black 50K: Beautifully warm, natural top to bottom tonality which makes for an easy listen, nice 3D presentation which comes further forward out into the room but bass slightly indistinct and a smidge detached or lagging behind the rest of the music. Less inner detail apparent.

Ultimately I prefer the warmth of the Black pot but would like the purity and resolution of the Blue plus a bit more as I realise these aren't exactly state of the art devices.

I've not completely ruled out a different valve pre but as there's no obvious lack of drive with just the passive I'm planning to sell/part exchange the Puresound to fund one of the following in my best guess order of preference as I've never heard any of them:

1. Townshend Allegri AVC
2. Music First Copper V2 TVC
3. Music First Copper V1 TVC (I suspect the silver versions of the MFAs may be too much of a good thing for me but maybe not?)
4. Khozmo series stepped attenuator
5. Alps RK50 potentiometer
6. TKD 2511 potentiometer
7. Whatever you recommend

Can any of you shed any light on the likely tonality of those on the list in comparison to my current Alps pots or recommend an alternative? Thankyou :thumbsup:

Hi - I'm not sure this is of use since I've not experienced any Alps based units......but regarding (4) Khozmo series stepped attenuator, I have limited experience. It replaced the MF XA2's active preamp I was using into a Cyrus X-Power. I ordered a Khozmo 10K Dual Mono with ZFoil and Elma switch upgrades. I can only say that the change was quite obvious - better clarity/detail definition/image. In terms of tonality, it presents itself as very neutral in that
nothing is over emphasised (eg bass) and there's a better sense of 'accuracy' eg a violin sounded more 'lifelike'. Thats my context and 2 cents; YMMV :)

regards, richard

[jandl100]

Spend loads if you feel you must, but Alan Firebottle paid me a welcome visit yesterday and amongst other things brought a cheap Chinese passive pre, with remote!, to play with.
I've owned a few passives in my time including Glasshouse, TVCs, Schiit Saga etc etc.
Alan has mentioned this Chinese pre elsewhere.

Gobsmacked.
I ordered one straight away.
It must be the most transparent passive (let alone any) pre I have heard.
Alan says the only passive he has heard that (slightly) betters it is the Khozmo stepped attenuator.

£110 delivered. :doh:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volume-Remote-Control-Relay-128-Steps-Exponential-Constant-input-impedance-4-CH/142811721459?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[mikeyb]

Thanks for all the great suggestion guys, keep 'em coming.

Townshend Allegri arriving tomorrow hopefully for a try out :)I liked the one I tried, I think you'll enjoy it.

Don't buy new if you decide on it, there's someone I know who was going to sell me his one of if I really wanted it. I just decided in the end to Dave some cash and buy a stop gap in a cheap TVC. He may still have it at a decent price, it's the + version.

I loved the narrow case design to sit alongside my power amp.

[mikeyb]

Spend loads if you feel you must, but Alan Firebottle paid me a welcome visit yesterday and amongst other things brought a cheap Chinese passive pre, with remote!, to play with.
I've owned a few passives in my time including Glasshouse, TVCs, Schiit Saga etc etc.
Alan has mentioned this Chinese pre elsewhere.

Gobsmacked.
I ordered one straight away.
It must be the most transparent passive (let alone any) pre I have heard.
Alan says the only passive he has heard that (slightly) betters it is the Khozmo stepped attenuator.

£110 delivered. :doh:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volume-Remote-Control-Relay-128-Steps-Exponential-Constant-input-impedance-4-CH/142811721459?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649I've been tempted to try one too, is Alan's one tweaked?

[struth]

For the cash it's got to be worth a try.

[jandl100]

I've been tempted to try one too, is Alan's one tweaked?

No.

[Bigman80]

Hey John,

Firstly, you need to get that Luxman in to class A. Find someone local and get it done mate, it will be glorious.

Secondly,

The ONLY preamp you need is the Khozmo Series SA, DCB1 Level 2 Preamp. I have heard the Chinese one Alan has, in fact i have the exact same one here. It's not a patch on the TWO DCB1's one i have here. My DCB1 is a level 1 build which equates to it running at around 50mA. This unit has better soundstage, better resolution, is more organic and to be honest, makes the Chinese jobbie sound a little cheap and quite glassy. It's not in the same ball park. The Chinese jobbie also NEEDS a buffer to perform at it's best, like Alan uses at home and as far as i know, it has been modded, quite extensively or the one i have here has at least. Don't get me wrong, for £100 its ridiculously good, as i said when i reviewed it.

The other DCB1 i have here is soon to be in the ownership of Macca. This one is a level 2 version with Khozmo SA. This one runs at 200mA and it is better than mine. Resolution just takes the piss and the soundstage is even better. I am happy to admit that i did not think it possible to improve much on mine but this has opened my eyes. I am now building myself a Level 3 DCB1 that will run at 600mA and am expecting very big things from it.

My advice, Ditch the alps pots, they are crap in comparison to a Khozmo. Get on the DCB1 path and never look back.

Oh, before anyone says "tried one, didn't like it" You haven't tried one like mine or Macca's.

If you want any info, give me a shout......the Luxman sounded stunning through mine.

[jandl100]

The Chinese jobbie also NEEDS a buffer to perform at it's best, like Alan uses at home and as far as i know, it has been modded, quite extensively or the one i have here has at least. Don't get me wrong, for £100 its ridiculously good, as i said when i reviewed it.

I tried the Chinese passive pre with the buffer that Jez Arkless made for me - it sounded better without it.

The Chinese passive pre impressed the hell out of me, but what do I know?

Passives are very dependent on system synergy, I don't think there should be any definitive statements, each design will work differently in different systems.

[Bigman80]

I tried the Chinese passive pre with the buffer that Jez Arkless made for me - it sounded better without it.

It impressed the hell out of me, but what do I know?Jerry, the Preamp IS impressive but that comment needs some context.

It's £100 FFS, I have no idea how they make these things so cheap and get the level of performance out of it that they do.

However, right now I have it in my system and it's not at the level of the DCB1 I have here. Apologies if that's not what anyone wants to hear but that's my opinion. John asked for recommendations and that's what he's got. Personally, I'd rather take that £100 and put it towards a Khozmo which is THE best attenuator I've heard and put a DCB1 buffer board on it.

The combination is superb and with the relatively cheap upgrade path achieved by upping the mA and changing a couple of resistors, it is a high value for money piece of kit. Sure, if you can't DIY it may seem out of reach but help is available.

IMO, it's a superb combination that has beaten every preamp I've baked it off with. Including the Chinese jobbie. If it was better, I'd be using that instead!

Can't speak for the Arkless buffer you have but Alan's sounded better with the buffer he built for it.

[Mandryka]

The ONLY preamp you need is the Khozmo Series SA, DCB1 Level 2 Preamp. .


Can you give me a link to this? If I go to the Khozmo website I'm not clear which one you mean.

[Bigman80]

Can you give me a link to this? If I go to the Khozmo website I'm not clear which one you mean.This one:
https://khozmo.com/series_khozmo_attenuator.html

Mine is the series, 50k stereo attenuator.

If you want it in a DCB1 preamp, you'll either have to build it or get someone to build one for you.

I've built one, Steve on here has built two and there is a plethora of information on DIY Audio.

[fatmarley]

Spend loads if you feel you must, but Alan Firebottle paid me a welcome visit yesterday and amongst other things brought a cheap Chinese passive pre, with remote!, to play with.
I've owned a few passives in my time including Glasshouse, TVCs, Schiit Saga etc etc.
Alan has mentioned this Chinese pre elsewhere.

Gobsmacked.
I ordered one straight away.
It must be the most transparent passive (let alone any) pre I have heard.
Alan says the only passive he has heard that (slightly) betters it is the Khozmo stepped attenuator.

£110 delivered. :doh:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volume-Remote-Control-Relay-128-Steps-Exponential-Constant-input-impedance-4-CH/142811721459?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I hate reading your posts - They often cost me money.

Would be great to have a remote.

[Firebottle]

Unfortunately the remote costs £200 more, plus the electronics :(

[fatmarley]

Unfortunately the remote costs £200 more, plus the electronics :(

Oh :(

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Oh :(

Hi
Keep in mind there are other ways of doing passives as well https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?60703-LDR-preamp-build

[Bigman80]

Oh :(That's for the Khozmo. The Chinese thing has a free remote, I believe.

[Bigman80]

Hi
Keep in mind there are other ways of doing passives as well https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?60703-LDR-preamp-buildThis is true, the LDR coffee thing is something on my 'to try' list.

[Simon_LDT]

If you end up building a passive, definitely check out Acoustic Dimension stepped attenuators. I don't see many reviews out there but the specs are good and I liked that it has 1 less contact point. How it compares to a Khozmo I don't know but I know my custom built passive sounds great and there is a remote option (it costs more of course).

[JohnJo]

This is all great stuff guys, apologies for not replying on an individual basis but it's been a bit hectic over the past couple of days and was at an Eric Bibb concert last night which was great so time has been very limited!

I've like the look of the Glasshouse TVC on hifi collective but it looks like the c-core is out of stock. The Khozmo would be my resistor type attenuator of choice rather than the relay version although it is such good value and remote controlled. The DCB1 definitely appeals to me too and I'd be happy to build one. Think the best bet would be to take a punt on one and sell it on if I don't like it. If anybody has a spare they could lend that would be great, I could cover postage and beer money!

Ideally I want to try a few out and pick my favourite. The Townshend Allegri has arrived and is with my very helpful neighbour as we speak so that will be getting an airing tonight. It has such good reviews but it's so so system dependent. (Will keep you in mind Mike, thanks).

I definitely have not ruled out a valve pre but the Belles is more than I want to spend. I'm thinking £1200 absolute max.

I'll have a read at the LDR thread.

Oliver, I think to put the Luxkit in Class A requires swapping to a lower voltage secondary winding as per the schematic on the net(should be easy enough) and then adjusting the bias but I've no idea what the setting is. I've asked a guy on the Wam who seems to know a lot but he's on holiday for a couple of months so no luck there unfortunately. I should maybe join DIY audio and ask there.

Thanks to everyone for help so far.

[Bigman80]

This is all great stuff guys, apologies for not replying on an individual basis but it's been a bit hectic over the past couple of days and was at an Eric Bibb concert last night which was great so time has been very limited!

I've like the look of the Glasshouse TVC on hifi collective but it looks like the c-core is out of stock. The Khozmo would be my resistor type attenuator of choice rather than the relay version although it is such good value and remote controlled. The DCB1 definitely appeals to me too and I'd be happy to build one. Think the best bet would be to take a punt on one and sell it on if I don't like it. If anybody has a spare they could lend that would be great, I could cover postage and beer money!

Ideally I want to try a few out and pick my favourite. The Townshend Allegri has arrived and is with my very helpful neighbour as we speak so that will be getting an airing tonight. It has such good reviews but it's so so system dependent. (Will keep you in mind Mike, thanks).

I definitely have not ruled out a valve pre but the Belles is more than I want to spend. I'm thinking £1200 absolute max.

I'll have a read at the LDR thread.

Oliver, I think to put the Luxkit in Class A requires swapping to a lower voltage secondary winding as per the schematic on the net(should be easy enough) and then adjusting the bias but I've no idea what the setting is. I've asked a guy on the Wam who seems to know a lot but he's on holiday for a couple of months so no luck there unfortunately. I should maybe join DIY audio and ask there.

Thanks to everyone for help so far.AnthonyTD of this parish has knowledge of it too. He volunteered to advise me but I sold it to you once I got the Krell. Maybe worth giving him a shout.

The DCB1 has to be the right version. I know Ian has a DCB1 that he is trying to sell but the stepped attenuator isn't a Khozmo and the board isn't an 'official' board. It's unlikely to find one you could loan so the only real way to try is to build one. I know a guy who can get you the board and kit for £130 approximately. You'd need a case (£50-100 AliExpress), a transformer (£50 from Toriody.pl) a selector switch (£30-50 for a good one) Khozmo (£160 ish) then some wiring and RCA sockets.

Mine cost around £400 to build. Worth every penny. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[anthonyTD]

You are correct in stating that the power transformer secondary windings will need to be swapped, as for setting the Bias on the class A windings, 2 Amp is the Max, but from experience, around 1.4 Amp is a good starting point.
Hope this helps.
A...
This is all great stuff guys, apologies for not replying on an individual basis but it's been a bit hectic over the past couple of days and was at an Eric Bibb concert last night which was great so time has been very limited!

I've like the look of the Glasshouse TVC on hifi collective but it looks like the c-core is out of stock. The Khozmo would be my resistor type attenuator of choice rather than the relay version although it is such good value and remote controlled. The DCB1 definitely appeals to me too and I'd be happy to build one. Think the best bet would be to take a punt on one and sell it on if I don't like it. If anybody has a spare they could lend that would be great, I could cover postage and beer money!

Ideally I want to try a few out and pick my favourite. The Townshend Allegri has arrived and is with my very helpful neighbour as we speak so that will be getting an airing tonight. It has such good reviews but it's so so system dependent. (Will keep you in mind Mike, thanks).

I definitely have not ruled out a valve pre but the Belles is more than I want to spend. I'm thinking £1200 absolute max.

I'll have a read at the LDR thread.

Oliver, I think to put the Luxkit in Class A requires swapping to a lower voltage secondary winding as per the schematic on the net(should be easy enough) and then adjusting the bias but I've no idea what the setting is. I've asked a guy on the Wam who seems to know a lot but he's on holiday for a couple of months so no luck there unfortunately. I should maybe join DIY audio and ask there.

Thanks to everyone for help so far.

[AJSki2fly]

Hello

So for cost reasons when I went back to vinyl and my system at the time I needed a simple pre-amp to feed the turntable/phono amp into it and be able to switch to other components, I wanted a clean path and as little colouration as possible. I came across this baby and it was recommended on several forums https://www.tisburyaudio.co.uk/mini-passive-preamplifier. It is not expensive and is very well built and IMO is an excellent product. When I moved to my current set up and upgraded power amps, phono pre-amp, turntable etc, I just could not bear to part with it as it is so neutral. I have auditioned at home a couple of pre-amps which are 8-10 times the cost and I have to say they were a disappointment.

So the Tisbury passive may be just the ticket and not costly.

[sq225917]

There's a right mish mash of resistor values and brands in that little Chinese pre. Just imagine how it'd sound with a complete set of matched parts.

[Bigman80]

There's a right mish mash of resistor values and brands in that little Chinese pre. Just imagine how it'd sound with a complete set of matched parts.Alan replaced a load with Takman resistors in this one I have here.

[tatami]

I’ll second the Tisbury suggestion. I recently auditioned one against a couple of more expensive preamps including the well-regarded Icon LA4 Mark III, more than ten times the price. The differences between the three were quite subtle and my slight preference, regardless of price, was the Tisbury, which I went on to buy. It certainly sounds wonderful in my system, paired with a Chord Qutest, Quad 606 and Quad 2905s.

[sq225917]

I'm very happy with the remote relay Phono, not cheap but a fine controller for my balanced Bruno putzeys pre.

[Alan D]

I'm about to build a passive pre......

I have purchased the Acoustic Dimension 10K stepped attenuator
http://www.acoustic-dimension.com/attenuators/attenuators-main.htm

An Elma 6-way 2-Pole rotary switch
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/switches/elma-2-pole-6-way-switch-04-1264.html

Plus a case (with black front panel)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Z-2806-Aluminum-Preamplifier-enclosure-DAC-case-amplifier-chassis-AMP-BOX/400526702692?hash=item5d41407864:g:LrEAAMXQQJBQ6t9 p:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Plus Neutrik Phono sockets and potentiometer shaft extenders.

I might be interested in trying a buffer, where do I get the DCB1 kit from?

Thanks
Alan

[graham67]

So the Tisbury passive may be just the ticket and not costly.

Agree its a very good passive being very revealing. I tried the old one and unfortunately had to return it due to very limited volume range with my Tannoys. It was too loud at step 5. However this has been rectified in new model with has two attenuation settings -10db, -20db IIRC. It is nicely constructed but very light so moves around on shelf. It would benefit from being attached to a marble footing or similar to keep it in place when you turn the volume control which has quite stiff detents.

You can try it and return it I not suitable (as I did) so its a low risk low cost option. The company is very helpful too.

[AJSki2fly]

Agree its a very good passive being very revealing. I tried the old one and unfortunately had to return it due to very limited volume range with my Tannoys. It was too loud at step 5. However this has been rectified in new model with has two attenuation settings -10db, -20db IIRC. It is nicely constructed but very light so moves around on shelf. It would benefit from being attached to a marble footing or similar to keep it in place when you turn the volume control which has quite stiff detents.

You can try it and return it I not suitable (as I did) so its a low risk low cost option. The company is very helpful too.

Yes I found the same, but after a bit of use the detects become less stiff and it becomes very useable, initially I stuck it down with some blutack to stop it wandering.

[bonzo]

Silvercore

[Bigman80]

I'm about to build a passive pre......

I have purchased the Acoustic Dimension 10K stepped attenuator
http://www.acoustic-dimension.com/attenuators/attenuators-main.htm

An Elma 6-way 2-Pole rotary switch
https://www.hificollective.co.uk/switches/elma-2-pole-6-way-switch-04-1264.html

Plus a case (with black front panel)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Z-2806-Aluminum-Preamplifier-enclosure-DAC-case-amplifier-chassis-AMP-BOX/400526702692?hash=item5d41407864:g:LrEAAMXQQJBQ6t9 p:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Plus Neutrik Phono sockets and potentiometer shaft extenders.

I might be interested in trying a buffer, where do I get the DCB1 kit from?

Thanks
AlanSTD305 got mine for me, he's in contact with a fella in America.

I think the same guy is on DIYaudio.

I'll see if I can find out who it is.

[Bigman80]

Guys name is 'Salas' on DIYaudio.

[JohnJo]

AnthonyTD of this parish has knowledge of it too. He volunteered to advise me but I sold it to you once I got the Krell. Maybe worth giving him a shout.

The DCB1 has to be the right version. I know Ian has a DCB1 that he is trying to sell but the stepped attenuator isn't a Khozmo and the board isn't an 'official' board. It's unlikely to find one you could loan so the only real way to try is to build one. I know a guy who can get you the board and kit for £130 approximately. You'd need a case (£50-100 AliExpress), a transformer (£50 from Toriody.pl) a selector switch (£30-50 for a good one) Khozmo (£160 ish) then some wiring and RCA sockets.

Mine cost around £400 to build. Worth every penny. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Good info, thanks Oliver. DCB1 definitely on the list.

[JohnJo]

You are correct in stating that the power transformer secondary windings will need to be swapped, as for setting the Bias on the class A windings, 2 Amp is the Max, but from experience, around 1.4 Amp is a good starting point.
Hope this helps.
A...

Thanks Anthony, would it be ok to PM you about this sometime?

[Alan D]

Guys name is 'Salas' on DIYaudio.

Many thanks Oliver.

[Bigman80]

Many thanks Oliver.[emoji106].

Steve is looking at doing a bulk order or group buy so if anyone is interested I reckon a thread will appear.

A picture of the board. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181031/4adb69ac18a8a3d31763e1f98351f35a.jpg

[CornishPasty]

Another shout for the Glasshouse TVC. I have never heard the simple pot in a box Glasshouse But I have a tvc version and its very good.

But your system has never sounded as good as it does now with the active line stage!

[STD305M]

Hey John,

Firstly, you need to get that Luxman in to class A. Find someone local and get it done mate, it will be glorious.

Secondly,

The ONLY preamp you need is the Khozmo Series SA, DCB1 Level 2 Preamp. I have heard the Chinese one Alan has, in fact i have the exact same one here. It's not a patch on the TWO DCB1's one i have here. My DCB1 is a level 1 build which equates to it running at around 50mA. This unit has better soundstage, better resolution, is more organic and to be honest, makes the Chinese jobbie sound a little cheap and quite glassy. It's not in the same ball park. The Chinese jobbie also NEEDS a buffer to perform at it's best, like Alan uses at home and as far as i know, it has been modded, quite extensively or the one i have here has at least. Don't get me wrong, for £100 its ridiculously good, as i said when i reviewed it.

The other DCB1 i have here is soon to be in the ownership of Macca. This one is a level 2 version with Khozmo SA. This one runs at 200mA and it is better than mine. Resolution just takes the piss and the soundstage is even better. I am happy to admit that i did not think it possible to improve much on mine but this has opened my eyes. I am now building myself a Level 3 DCB1 that will run at 600mA and am expecting very big things from it.

My advice, Ditch the alps pots, they are crap in comparison to a Khozmo. Get on the DCB1 path and never look back.

Oh, before anyone says "tried one, didn't like it" You haven't tried one like mine or Macca's.

If you want any info, give me a shout......the Luxman sounded stunning through mine.

Hi Oliver

I would agree with your findings, I had the little Chinese amp for a while which had been upgraded by Alan, and was more than happy with it but wanted to build my own pre.

I ordered all the parts and got down to stuffing the board, very rewarding, and Alan finished the project off for me.
I must say music and sound quality is subjective but in my opinion the Dcb1 turbo i built was definitely better, huge sound stage, very transparent but above all very musical.
I sold that pre to Macca ( Martin ) and have now ordered a couple more kits and will be building the next Dcb1 turbo to an even higher spec
Will post pics of the build as i go along with a list of boutique upgraded parts used

Regards Steve...

[Bigman80]

Hi Oliver

I would agree with your findings, I had the little Chinese amp for a while which had been upgraded by Alan, and was more than happy with it but wanted to build my own pre.

I ordered all the parts and got down to stuffing the board, very rewarding, and Alan finished the project off for me.
I must say music and sound quality is subjective but in my opinion the Dcb1 turbo i built was definitely better, huge sound stage, very transparent but above all very musical.
I sold that pre to Macca ( Martin ) and have now ordered a couple more kits and will be building the next Dcb1 turbo to an even higher spec
Will post pics of the build as i go along with a list of boutique upgraded parts used

Regards Steve...Hi Steve,

Ye, while the Chinese unit is excellent for the money, the DCB1 is better and to my ears, considerably so.

I have your old DCB1 here as you know. It's definitely worth going up in spec. The difference between your DCB1 and mine is more apparent as I've continued to listen. The transparency seems to be the biggest beneficiary of the higher mA so I'll be going up to 600mA as you know. I am still debating doing the 1.2A version instead. Just need the right casework. I'm liking the idea of fans too. I am talking myself into doing it lol

I need to sort out either him coming here or me going there to drop it off!

[STD305M]

Hi Oliver

I'm looking at changing a couple of things with this build, Firstly adding a remote as I'm lazy, the cost is $200 about £160 ish the next upgrade is to push 600mA through the mosfets then I will be upping the 6 Dale 221ohm resistors to Charcroft Z-Foils.
I'm still undecided if i should change the 4 Nichicon caps, only time will tell.
Will also be using a full Aluminium case rather than the previous steel case...

Steve

[Bigman80]

Hi Oliver

I'm looking at changing a couple of things with this build, Firstly adding a remote as I'm lazy, the cost is $200 about £160 ish the next upgrade is to push 600mA through the mosfets then I will be upping the 6 Dale 221ohm resistors to Charcroft Z-Foils.
I'm still undecided if i should change the 4 Nichicon caps, only time will tell.
Will also be using a full Aluminium case rather than the previous steel case...

SteveI am considering the aluminium case too. I have my eye on a couple. As this will be the endgame Preamp for me, I may join you on the Charcroft trail. I may take some time and get the build parts I want, seeing as I already have a DCB1 to use.

A remote would be nice but £160! Not sure about that just yet.

[hifinutt]

Ian in Coventry been advertising a dcb1 for some time now in classifieds

[Yomanze]

Hmm maybe I should get round to building my DCB1 Blue Hypnotise...

[STD305M]

Hi Neil

Jump to mate, they sound fantastic, I'm on my 3rd build, each getting better depending on what you modify.
My boards are the black 3.3 revised boards but not too dissimilar to the blue board

Regards Steve...

[Bigman80]

Ian in Coventry been advertising a dcb1 for some time now in classifiedsHe has, unfortunately it's not the same DCB1 Board that Steve and I are using. His is a Clone board from China.

Not saying it isn't good, just that it's not the same. It is a bargain price though even if you bought it and changed the board for an 'official' one.

[User211]

The Alps RK50 is a good pot.

Kondo and Zanden use them.

I have an Air Tight passive that uses one. I have had it for years. Super fine volume control available with it.

Alps blue are rubbish essentially and the wipers go noisy. Why TdP uses them in his products I do not know.

The RK50 is a clean sounding device. For some reason it sounds incredibly quick. Whenever I have in my main system that aspect of it always amazes me. It is like the ribbons in my speakers go into 'instantaneous mode'. It isn't treble hype causing this effect, as the real speed shock comes from the bass panel.

That said, I prefer my active valve jobbie for the most part.

I personally think the best pots I have ever heard in a passive are Penny & Giles plastic pots.

The Hattor is a nice passive. Seemed to work very well with a Lampizator Golden Gate and some valve power amps downstream. I don't like stepped volume control much though just because it is stepped.

[Barry]

My preamps all use Penny & Giles pots.

Bourns and Allen Bradley are good makes as well.

[Lawrence001]

I’ll second the Tisbury suggestion. I recently auditioned one against a couple of more expensive preamps including the well-regarded Icon LA4 Mark III, more than ten times the price. The differences between the three were quite subtle and my slight preference, regardless of price, was the Tisbury, which I went on to buy. It certainly sounds wonderful in my system, paired with a Chord Qutest, Quad 606 and Quad 2905s.I'm trying one out from another member but I'm probably going to pass on it as I found active works better with my class D amp. If anyone wants it, he wants £60. It's the first version which, while not having the dip switch options of the second, does have a purer signal path, one of the features of better passive preamps.

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