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Author Topic: Passive Preamp?  (Read 21100 times)

Offline RuralTom

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #15 on: January 28, 2015, 10:04:37 AM »
Thanks for the review.

Having just last weekend to the same Mini > DAC set up, versus streamed from an Airport, I should try this out in short order.  The optical straight from the Mini was already a giant improvement in sound quality, in dynamics, detail and signal strength, but I haven't tried the SYS quite yet.
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OldiesButGoodies

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #16 on: January 28, 2015, 10:25:14 AM »
Dropped by Rev's listening room last night,  sat down and listened, observed "it sounds clearer, especially at higher volumes,  what did you change?"  The only change was that the Melos pre was out of the loop and he had a tiny inexpensive ($50!!) passive pre hooked up in the back.  Impressive.  Less can be more.
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Offline papabearjew

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #17 on: January 28, 2015, 12:47:18 PM »
Somehow Schiit figured out how to make components in the USA that are high quality but priced very reasonably. BJ and his wife bought me their Valhalla tube headphone amp for my 60th birthday back in May and it's awesome. Last month for Chanukah they bought me the Modi 2 DAC and though admittedly I have no other experience with DACs I'm very pleased with it and I know the cost was reasonable. The build quality is top notch. Only complaint about the Valhalla is that the power switch is inconveniently located on the back.
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Offline Reverend

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #18 on: January 28, 2015, 10:48:44 PM »
I decided that I'm going to make one for now.  Pepe is donating a killer pot, I have some toggle switches and litz wiring.  I'll post more as I go along.



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Offline papabearjew

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #19 on: January 28, 2015, 11:43:14 PM »
So Pepe is donating killer pot huh. Remember puff, puff, pass...
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Offline Reverend

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #20 on: January 29, 2015, 12:11:18 AM »
Mexicans.   ;D

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Offline RuralTom

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #21 on: January 29, 2015, 12:00:14 PM »
Cool.  Please do keep us informed about how it turns out!
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preamp: BAT VK-5
amp: Altec 944sa
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CDP: Pioneer Elite DV-47a
Intel NUC server / iFi micro iUSB3.0 / Roon
Spendor FL9

Offline Reverend

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #22 on: January 31, 2015, 03:43:50 PM »
I'm still looking for a volume knob but for now a knob from Pepe's favorite reel to reel works fine.



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Offline Sir Thrift-a-Lot

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #23 on: January 31, 2015, 04:04:21 PM »
Given the shape of the switch plates, a chrome chicken head or maybe one of the rectangular knobs that Yamaha used would look great.
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Offline Sir Thrift-a-Lot

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #24 on: January 31, 2015, 04:06:23 PM »
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Offline Sir Thrift-a-Lot

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #25 on: January 31, 2015, 04:13:41 PM »
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Offline Reverend

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #26 on: February 02, 2015, 11:23:17 AM »
Going with this knob.  It's 4" in diameter so it should take up most of the front of the pre.  It needs cleaned up a bit but it should look killer.

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Offline RuralTom

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #27 on: February 02, 2015, 12:15:15 PM »
Nice... it has a bit of a kitchen appliance feel to it!
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preamp: BAT VK-5
amp: Altec 944sa
DAC:  Bel Canto 2.5
CDP: Pioneer Elite DV-47a
Intel NUC server / iFi micro iUSB3.0 / Roon
Spendor FL9

Offline rgpit

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #28 on: February 02, 2015, 02:27:07 PM »
Rev

Nice!  You may want to shield the inside with copper foil.

Ron
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Offline Reverend

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Re: Passive Preamp?
« Reply #29 on: February 02, 2015, 03:00:27 PM »
I thought of copper shielding as well as some inline resisters for the ground but I've had it connected to 3 different systems so far and no noise.  I'll leave it be for now.  The knob is off of some old 60's piece of test equipment, I just liked the look.


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