Consonance Basie

Consonance Basie pre-amp.

http://www.diyhifisupply.com/diyhs_basie.htm

Originally came from the above supplier. Mine has a maple front plate instead of the black shown in the picture.

The pre-amp was put together by Nick Lucas from www.hificollective. Nick used to work at world audio design, and in fact if you ever bought a 'pre-made' WAD amp, it was probably made by Nick.

Nick has also re-wired the audio cabling inside the pre-amp with silver cable, and put expensive capacitors (like audionote paper/oil caps) in key places. He's a guy that makes/supplies valve amps, so I left it to his discretion as to where it would make the greatest improvements. Nick also added a tape loop for me, so you can use a headphone amp with it.

The amp has brand new tubes (apart from the rectifier). They are currently RH valves, which are the best I've tried. I'll supply a complete spare set of valves (philips military spec).

If you add all the work I've had done to the basic kit price you're looking at a £1,000 pre-amp.

Well, you're looking at a £1,000 pre-amp that sounds as good as any valve pre-amp Ive ever heard, and better than the audio research, conrad johnson and audio innovations pre's Ive had it up against.

Price is a firm £500 plus shipping.

 

Hi Chris, any chance of a listen before I buy?

 

Hi Dev

You'd be welcome, but I sold my power amp to Joe last week!

 

Sorry Chris, I meant in my system.

 

Hi Dev

Oh I see, didnt realize sorry.

Depends on the time frame you have in mind. When I decide to do something I act quickly.

I was umming and arring about keeping it, but now Ive decided to sell it will be on zerogain/pinkfish for a matter of perhaps 5 days, and if no sale straight onto ebay.

The reason for the sudden urgency is that Im planning either a big one box integrated or a matched same make pre-power (more for aethetics than anything else). The money will be needed to fund the purchase - which is likely to happen in about a fortnight.

Cheers
Chris

 

I can pick it up well within a couple of weeks.

 

hi Dev,

Im not trying to be awkward, but if I put it on e-bay then it wouldnt be for sale on the forums anymore. I'll be e-baying it next weekend if a sale hasnt happened through pinkfish/zerogain before then.

I'd need to know by next weekend if you wanted to buy it.

Let me know if you want to pick it up before next weekend and have a listen to it.

As inferred though, if you borrow it and decide not to buy, I'd need it back by next Sunday ready for e-bay.

 

OK Chris, done. When can I pick it up?

 

Hiya,

anytime really! - Im about any evening pretty much, and can be at home most day times during the week.

Only day thats definately out is Sundays.

NB
I recently upgraded the selector pot and volume pot - this meant that the knobs didnt fit (!), so I've ordered 3 posh new ones which will take the better alps pot etc (should be arriving next week), but until then have mismatched ones. Hope that doesnt matter?

Cheers
Chris

 

Can you give me a ring tomorrow to sort out the details? I think you have my mobile number or if not I'll PM it. Alternatively, PM your number.

The only niggling doubt I have is that I can't compare it with something like NOH or MF Audio. Also will my kit do it justice?

 

well it sounds best with a valve power amp.

I havent heard a NOH or an MF Audio, so cant help there.

 

This is up for sale again.

I've changed my mind to/ from selling it so many damn times.

It's the best valve pre-amp I've had - it has mouthwatering parts in it - Audionote output caps like beer cans, stepped attenuator, resistors and caps read like a ''who's who'' of top branded parts.

I have some photo's somewhere I will upload.

Simple fact of it is this -

I now have 115db horns.
sources going into this pre, then an Active pre-amp, then 3 power amps. All this ''active amplification'' is just making too much noise for 115db horns.

I DON'T want to sell it - it sounds better than passives (in simpler arranged systems I have owned), but in the active 3 way system - it's just not working.

I'm gutted, I bloody love this pre-amp.

Incidentally - when DEV borrowed it he was suitably impressed I recall, and regretted it when it came back and I kept it! (I've improved it since then too).

 

ok, here's some pics -

check out the coke-can output caps - with a penny next to them for scale. Expensive mundorf jobs. My wallet remembers those :S

Silver hook up cable, top black gates, audionote caps, just the best stuff all over the place.

waaaa!

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/339660299

 

following a couple of PM's - if you cannot see the photos please email me and I will email them by reply.

 

I'm going to bang these on Ebay on Tuesday if not bought by then.

I know with ''what's inside'' they will go for a decent 'buy it now' on Ebay.

One of my favourite Pre's (ever!.) so I'd rather they went to a delighted ZG or PFM home. They are too good for the great unwashed on Ebay..... I think!

 

now on Ebay

 

Is this still f/s & how old is it?-My Audible Illusions has gone slightly noisy & it's not just the valves.
What's the o/p impedance -my amp's i/p is a low 10k.
I'm in Wembley. Where in Bucks are u?(polite question).
regards
Peter