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Thread: SS Preamp search

  1. #1
    Join Date: May 2018

    Location: Woking

    Posts: 803
    I'm Chris.

    Default SS Preamp search

    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/3296...c004pqop6&mp=1


    Also this Naim copy looks pretty good.

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3301...c007dQ2rA&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
    System 1: - Amp - Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 - Neurochrome 686
    - Source: Audio Technica LP-5 - Custom 6V6 stage - Novafidelity X30 - Soekris 1421 (LPSU) - Custom TDA1541 C3G DAC -
    - Speakers: Martin Logan Prodigy's - Subs: - REL T3's -

    System 2 - Amp: Musical Paradise MP 303/Custom 300B SET - Custom 6SL7 Pre -
    - Source: Pioneer N-30K - SONCOZ SGD1 -
    - Speakers: Loth X BS1's - Sub: REL T3 -

  2. #2
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: Northern Ireland

    Posts: 1,403
    I'm John.

    Default

    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.

  3. #3
    Bigman80 Guest

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    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?

  4. #4
    Join Date: May 2018

    Location: Woking

    Posts: 803
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bigman80 View Post
    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 . . .
    System 1: - Amp - Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 - Neurochrome 686
    - Source: Audio Technica LP-5 - Custom 6V6 stage - Novafidelity X30 - Soekris 1421 (LPSU) - Custom TDA1541 C3G DAC -
    - Speakers: Martin Logan Prodigy's - Subs: - REL T3's -

    System 2 - Amp: Musical Paradise MP 303/Custom 300B SET - Custom 6SL7 Pre -
    - Source: Pioneer N-30K - SONCOZ SGD1 -
    - Speakers: Loth X BS1's - Sub: REL T3 -

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2018

    Location: Woking

    Posts: 803
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JohnJo View Post
    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.
    System 1: - Amp - Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 - Neurochrome 686
    - Source: Audio Technica LP-5 - Custom 6V6 stage - Novafidelity X30 - Soekris 1421 (LPSU) - Custom TDA1541 C3G DAC -
    - Speakers: Martin Logan Prodigy's - Subs: - REL T3's -

    System 2 - Amp: Musical Paradise MP 303/Custom 300B SET - Custom 6SL7 Pre -
    - Source: Pioneer N-30K - SONCOZ SGD1 -
    - Speakers: Loth X BS1's - Sub: REL T3 -

  6. #6
    Join Date: May 2018

    Location: Woking

    Posts: 803
    I'm Chris.

    Default

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

    Any thoughts??
    System 1: - Amp - Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 - Neurochrome 686
    - Source: Audio Technica LP-5 - Custom 6V6 stage - Novafidelity X30 - Soekris 1421 (LPSU) - Custom TDA1541 C3G DAC -
    - Speakers: Martin Logan Prodigy's - Subs: - REL T3's -

    System 2 - Amp: Musical Paradise MP 303/Custom 300B SET - Custom 6SL7 Pre -
    - Source: Pioneer N-30K - SONCOZ SGD1 -
    - Speakers: Loth X BS1's - Sub: REL T3 -

  7. #7
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Opti-cal View Post
    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'

  8. #8
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

    Default

    For a cheaper version of the first link try this
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3284...7-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)

  9. #9
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  10. #10
    Join Date: Oct 2011

    Location: London Town

    Posts: 2,441
    I'm Julian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Opti-cal View Post
    I quite like the little glorified volume controls like this:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3296...c004pqop6&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.
    Sonore Rendu - Cambridge Audio Edge W - Sonus Faber Venere 2.5

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