SS Preamp search

[Opti-cal]

Hi everyone,

thought I'd post some questions here rather than just bombarding a select (lucky haha) few members with my amateurish musings!

Anyway, I need an SS preamp. I'm planning a future build using a Neurochrome buffer board but this isn't available until next month and will likely take a while to assemble the rest of the bits that are worthy of a "proper" build.

In the mean time I've been looking into what is available for a reasonable outlay, lets say under £200 (although flexible). I'm leaning more towards the chi-fi end of the spectrum as you do get a lot of parts for your money it seems. Of course I'm not expecting the last (or even the second or third last!) word in quality here.

I quite like the little glorified volume controls like this:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32961776292.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.604d3c004pqop6&mp=1


Also this Naim copy looks pretty good.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33014458149.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.604d3c007dQ2rA&mp=1


Remote would be nice but not absolutely vital.
Also ability to upgrade components like volume pots/transformers etc would be good.

I'm well open to any suggestions, thanks in advance guys!

Cheers

Chris

[JohnJo]

I have a very nice Primare Pre 30 in black which is fully remote controlled, input selection, input gain, balance and volume but I’d need £500 plus postage for it.

Might be a stretch too far but you should get your money back when you’re done with it.

[Bigman80]

The review of the Naim copy states there is a hum, also, when Alan tested that relay volume control board, he found it to be less than perfect. IIRC

The first link is effectively a passive with the transformer powering the relays etc.

Heard one, and for £100 it pretty much recommends itself but It didn't last long here.

Second link looks ok, but if the Neurochrome buffer is out next month, why not hang on?

[Opti-cal]

Second link looks ok, but if the Neurochrome buffer is out next month, why not hang on?

This pre is really just for me to have as stop gap before the Neurochrome build begins but I also plan to use it in a much cheaper errrr third system where absolute SQ is not actually paramount. AARRRGGGHHHH blasphemy blasphemy!!

Obviously I'd still like something half decent but functionality of having more than one input are the main criteria. Now I think about it a remote probably is important so I'll bump that up the priority list . . .

[Opti-cal]

I have a very nice Primare Pre 30 in black which is fully remote controlled, input selection, input gain, balance and volume but I’d need £500 plus postage for it.

Might be a stretch too far but you should get your money back when you’re done with it.

Thanks John,

probably a slight stretch for me at the moment. I know the Primare's are very good though.

If priorities change I'll keep it in mind. Nice one.

[Opti-cal]

Found a good deal on a Musical Fidelity A3.2 CR preamp . . . (rather than risk the chi-fi lottery!)

Any thoughts??

[Bigman80]

Found a good deal on a Musical Fidelity A3.2 CR preamp . . . (rather than risk the chi-fi lottery!)

Any thoughts??Nothing Immediatly screams 'avoid'

[Firebottle]

For a cheaper version of the first link try this
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32840998508.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.3.7e5669 59Gn3W0V&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.13338.146400.0&scm_id=1007.13338.146400.0&scm-url=1007.13338.146400.0&pvid=c4162aa5-afa5-45c3-9357-ff334eb1f9ad

The switched relay/resistor units are much better than an Alps Blue, however there is no gain.

(I feel lucky...I feel lucky....etc)

[walpurgis]

Or even cheaper from ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-PGA2311-Remote-volume-control-preamplifier-Stereo-preamp-4-way-inputs/123395893432?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[julesd68]

I quite like the little glorified volume controls like this:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32961776292.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.604d3c004pqop6&mp=1
I've had one of these for a while now - very transparent sound indeed. Only downside is the poorly designed remote where you have to take it apart to change battery.

[Firebottle]

Or even cheaper from ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-PGA2311-Remote-volume-control-preamplifier-Stereo-preamp-4-way-inputs/123395893432?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

That one uses an electronic volume control, so avoid.

[Opti-cal]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

I think I might chance it on one of the original ones I linked to.


I've had one of these for a while now - very transparent sound indeed. Only downside is the poorly designed remote where you have to take it apart to change battery.

Cheers Jules, that's encouraging. I was attracted to this one due to the "better than worst" transformer available and the nice simple display. I like the mini metal remote too.

I have been sifting through hundreds of the ebay/Ali express ones and although admittedly I don't know too much about the parts of them these looked to have the most familiar configurations I've seen in other pre's. The stepped ladder volume relay and neatly laid out boards look simple enough.

Seeing how simple they are does make me want to go the DIY route . . . I'd love to give it a go. Then I add up the price of a semi decent transformer, volume pots and enclosure and it's probably higher than a fully built one and might not be significantly better at the budget end.

Interested to hear further opinions.

Cheers

[Stryder5]

Hi,

Just pointing out the obvious as I’m sure you know, the above is a passive attenuator.

If you can do without remote don’t forget the Tisbury, it’s available on return within 14 days.

In my system it betters the above by some margin!

Gary



Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

I think I might chance it on one of the original ones I linked to.



Cheers Jules, that's encouraging. I was attracted to this one due to the "better than worst" transformer available and the nice simple display. I like the mini metal remote too.

I have been sifting through hundreds of the ebay/Ali express ones and although admittedly I don't know too much about the parts of them these looked to have the most familiar configurations I've seen in other pre's. The stepped ladder volume relay and neatly laid out boards look simple enough.

Seeing how simple they are does make me want to go the DIY route . . . I'd love to give it a go. Then I add up the price of a semi decent transformer, volume pots and enclosure and it's probably higher than a fully built one and might not be significantly better at the budget end.

Interested to hear further opinions.

Cheers

[Light Dependant Resistor]

.

Seeing how simple they are does make me want to go the DIY route
Interested to hear further opinions. Cheers

https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/260371-2019-stereocoffee-ldr-preattenuator-kit/

Which is also passive. It suits systems where sensitivity of power amp is below 1.5v for full output with resistive loading 20k or more, which is the majority of power amps
The standard kit is provided with three inputs featuring contact-less switching and has a remote control option.

[Opti-cal]

https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/260371-2019-stereocoffee-ldr-preattenuator-kit/

Which is also passive. It suits systems where sensitivity of power amp is below 1.5v for full output with resistive loading 20k or more, which is the majority of power amps
The standard kit is provided with three inputs featuring contact-less switching and has a remote control option.

Awesome, thanks Chris. I'm just having a read now. Nice one.

[Pharos]

"That one uses an electronic volume control, so avoid.

Is it the general view that electronic volume controls are inferior still?

[Light Dependant Resistor]

"That one uses an electronic volume control, so avoid.

Is it the general view that electronic volume controls are inferior still?

Unsure of which one you are referring to Dennis? For clarification where audio signals pass through either contacts or electronic volume controls there is typically deterioration of the resulting audio.

LDR's are quite different altogether, being a passive variable resistor, arranged in a L pad, activated by more or less light intensity. There are no contacts as light is a contact less medium.
The differences of one LDR product to the next are explained here: https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/293104-audio-purpose-ldr-discoveries/

[Bigman80]

Unsure of which one you are referring to Dennis? For clarification where audio signals pass through either contacts or electronic volume controls there is typically deterioration of the resulting audio.

LDR's are quite different altogether, being a passive variable resistor, arranged in a L pad, activated by more or less light intensity. There are no contacts as light is a contact less medium.
The differences of one LDR product to the next are explained here: https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/293104-audio-purpose-ldr-discoveries/What about relay volume controls?

[Light Dependant Resistor]

What about relay volume controls?

The problem is relay volume controls, are still involving audio signals passing through contacts, of one metal surface to another.

[Bigman80]

The problem is relay volume controls, are still involving audio signals passing through contacts, of one metal surface to another.Is you LDR available as a true balanced pre

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Is your LDR available as a true balanced pre

Yes.

[Bigman80]

Yes.Well, if you still want me to compare a LDR pre to a top class pre in the Neurochrome Differential pre, it'll have to be balanced.

Be Interesting wouldn't it!

The Neurochrome uses a 64 step Relay volume control by Khozmo.

Best I've tried so far.

[Opti-cal]

Let battle commence....

[Bigman80]

Let battle commence....[emoji23][emoji23]

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Well, if you still want me to compare a LDR pre to a top class pre in the Neurochrome Differential pre, it'll have to be balanced.

Be Interesting wouldn't it!

The Neurochrome uses a 64 step Relay volume control by Khozmo.

Best I've tried so far.

Did Tom supply you with the Neurochrome Differential pre as a review sample ?

[Bigman80]

Did Tom supply you with the Neurochrome Differential pre as a review sample ?Nope, I bought it from a guy who built it.