Tisbury Audio Mini Passive Pre-amp

[hifinutt]

Well I was just going to revive this thread but you beat me too it. I had one before with an alps pot and we did not like it much but right now I am listening to a pretty holographic 3d and very very enjoyable stepped attentuator version which has been in the system for several weeks now
Full on bass and using 2 metre cables from rfc with no problems . it seems to suit the msb power amp rather well.of course it does not have quite the texture and realism of some valve amps but it punches well well above its price
Highly recommended if you are on a budget as I am currently

[Marco]

Nice one, Phil. It was the stepped attenuator bit that sold it to me, so pleased to know that makes a difference

Marco.

[hifinutt]

Yes not sure why but there is a very big difference . it might possibly be because I bought the alps one new and this stepped one was well run in and is pretty full bloodied . the bass is enough to keep my Mrs awake currently at 11pm!!!!

[Marco]

Cool. Like for like, I've always found steppers more accurate than pots - that's why I think they sound better

Marco.

[walpurgis]

I've used both and prefer stepped attenuators, but a TVC unit moves things forward vastly!

Like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raphaelite...item3ce8cd7d8e

[struth]

using a tvc myself now and its very good... although I think one of the stepped vc's is faulty. May soon have to be replaced; might be a time to change it to a single double throw step vc rather than the current 2 separates.

[walpurgis]

using a tvc myself now and its very good... although I think one of the stepped vc's is faulty. May soon have to be replaced; might be a time to change it to a single double throw step vc rather than the current 2 separates.

They're not VCs, just rotary switches selecting tap positions on the transformers. You'll have to count the switching contacts and match them to a dual rotating switch. You could then use the spare control hole in the front panel for a rotary input selector dual switch. Probably two or three way depending on how much room for extra sockets you'd have on the back.

If yours is playing up try a bit of switch cleaner.

[struth]

yep, thats what i meant. dunno where you'd get good ones mind but if I do it it will likely not be me lol. I would need a soldering bolt better than my gas job. last one went o/s. probably best to get Ali or Alan to do it.... one of the channels went semi o/s today for a while. I actually thought one of my speakers had gone ......it was odd!! maybe a good clean may sort it if it happens again.

[walpurgis]

maybe a good clean may sort it if it happens again.

It's the first thing to try. I use this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Switch-Cle...item4198c40da4

Avoid the solvent types. They can dissolve plastic parts.

Also (as I'm sure you know), check soldered joints. Which could be a pain. As there are quite a few inside.

[wee tee cee]

plumbed my tissie back in yesterday-moving back from active to passive.....sounds lovely and transparent,bass quality is very nice. Great piece of kit for reasonable money.

The stepped attenuator does seem to work really well.