CageyH
01-03-2022, 08:58
Yesterday I picked up a 4 month old Pre90 with a 33% discount from new.
I had my doubts about how well something so cheap would fit into my system, and had some fears that it may be too much for my Triangle Antal EZ speakers, as Triangle can be a little bright if not partnered correctly.
Anyway, it arrived yesterday and I plugged it into my system.
It is a bit limited, as it has two inputs (one balanced, one SE), and two outputs (one balanced, one SE), although an extender can be purchased that gives you some more balanced inputs.
I connected my RME ADI-2 DAC FS to the balanced input. This is fed by an Audio GD DI-2014, to which by PC and CD player (Pioneer PD-S703) are connected to. My BB3 phono stage is connected to the SE input.
On the output side, the Pre90 is connected using the balanced connections to my Modulus 686 amp, and the SE output to my Graham Slee Solo Ultra Linear headphone amp. The Pre90 allows you to drive either output, or both at the same time, which may be handy, but not in my system.
Anyway, I fed it some “Ultra HD” from Amazon music using my PC. I was pleasantly surprised. The sound is great. Nice depth and clarity. Obviously this Pre is one that measures very well on ASR, and with a DAC and amplifier with very low distortion this should be the case. My fears of it being over bright were quashed.
Listening to vinyl through it was also a fear. However, the sound was clearly defined in a similar way. Good clarity and depth. I could really hear the Dynavector XX2 and BB3 combination doing their thing. Good deep bass and really good tone on the instruments.
I am going to listen to this for a week or so, and then pop my old Hybrid Preamp back in, and see which I prefer.
If the Pre90 “wins” then I am going to look at building myself a Neurochrome Pre-amp at some point, so I can use the 12V trigger to power on the Amplifier. I can also add a couple more of single ended inputs.
Anyway, the Topping Pre90 is a bargain for the performance on offer. It does have some annoying traits though.
The volume control is relay based, so clicks when you change the volume. Then remote control needs to be pointed directly at the sensor to work. There is a small click through the speakers when you change the input from XLR to RCA.
Does anybody else here use one?
I had my doubts about how well something so cheap would fit into my system, and had some fears that it may be too much for my Triangle Antal EZ speakers, as Triangle can be a little bright if not partnered correctly.
Anyway, it arrived yesterday and I plugged it into my system.
It is a bit limited, as it has two inputs (one balanced, one SE), and two outputs (one balanced, one SE), although an extender can be purchased that gives you some more balanced inputs.
I connected my RME ADI-2 DAC FS to the balanced input. This is fed by an Audio GD DI-2014, to which by PC and CD player (Pioneer PD-S703) are connected to. My BB3 phono stage is connected to the SE input.
On the output side, the Pre90 is connected using the balanced connections to my Modulus 686 amp, and the SE output to my Graham Slee Solo Ultra Linear headphone amp. The Pre90 allows you to drive either output, or both at the same time, which may be handy, but not in my system.
Anyway, I fed it some “Ultra HD” from Amazon music using my PC. I was pleasantly surprised. The sound is great. Nice depth and clarity. Obviously this Pre is one that measures very well on ASR, and with a DAC and amplifier with very low distortion this should be the case. My fears of it being over bright were quashed.
Listening to vinyl through it was also a fear. However, the sound was clearly defined in a similar way. Good clarity and depth. I could really hear the Dynavector XX2 and BB3 combination doing their thing. Good deep bass and really good tone on the instruments.
I am going to listen to this for a week or so, and then pop my old Hybrid Preamp back in, and see which I prefer.
If the Pre90 “wins” then I am going to look at building myself a Neurochrome Pre-amp at some point, so I can use the 12V trigger to power on the Amplifier. I can also add a couple more of single ended inputs.
Anyway, the Topping Pre90 is a bargain for the performance on offer. It does have some annoying traits though.
The volume control is relay based, so clicks when you change the volume. Then remote control needs to be pointed directly at the sensor to work. There is a small click through the speakers when you change the input from XLR to RCA.
Does anybody else here use one?