tube pre-amp

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by sanj, May 9, 2004.

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  1. sanj

    michaelab desafinado

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    :lol:

    Michael.
     
    michaelab, May 10, 2004
    #21
  2. sanj

    wadia-miester Mighty Rearranger

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    Nah, winding trick iso trannys with wanky wire, that'll never work :chair: :D
     
    wadia-miester, May 10, 2004
    #22
  3. sanj

    sanj follow the tao

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    hey, thanks guys!
    Some great choices you've highlighted to me

    Now, how do I choose.... :rolleyes:
     
    sanj, May 10, 2004
    #23
  4. sanj

    badchamp Thermionic Member

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    Sanj,

    If you're anywhere near NW London, you're welcome to come over and have a listen to my CJ PV-10 (err... when I've got me speakers - probably this week, set the hi-fi up, unpacked the CDs etc etc :D)

    Jeff
     
    badchamp, May 10, 2004
    #24
  5. sanj

    lowrider Live music is surround

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    Looks nice, we have to arrange some time to hear it and the rest of your system... :beer:
     
    lowrider, May 11, 2004
    #25
  6. sanj

    sanj follow the tao

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    hi Jeff, I'm actually in the NW area. So once u get you system sorted, I may take up your offer.
    Ta very much!

    sanj
     
    sanj, May 13, 2004
    #26
  7. sanj

    Tenson Moderator

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    My suggestion would be the Ming Da MC-7R.

    Its a China made pre but it is really, really excellent.

    It is sold in America (and a few other places) at about $1,200 but it can be had from CattyLink for about £300 including shipping and tax etc..

    I use one in my system with PMC AML1's (£3,500) and it works a treat. It defiantly doesn't let the speakers down!

    [​IMG]
     
    Tenson, May 13, 2004
    #27
  8. sanj

    sanj follow the tao

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    Tenson, great aesthetics too.

    Any experience/knowledge of the sheng-ya cd players they sell?
     
    sanj, May 13, 2004
    #28
  9. sanj

    Tenson Moderator

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    Indeed, I just sold one on eBay!

    The S10 is great for the money. It costs about £230 all in, and it gave my Arcam Alpha 9 (£800 when new) a good run for the money. It was warmer, smoother and has good balance, but didn't have such good sound staging, detail or bass tightness.

    Something that may interest you is that it has a built in digital volume control, so you can plug it into a power amp directly with out a pre-amp. Because it has a valve output it will sound like it is going through a valve pre-amp.

    It uses an/a pair (not sure) of ECC88's so it is easy to change or upgrade.

    Sheng ya are the people who make the American brand Vincent.

    Hope that helps,
    Simon
     
    Tenson, May 13, 2004
    #29
  10. sanj

    sanj follow the tao

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    Ta Tenson.
    With the chinese markets opening up to the west, looks like there's gonna be some competition in the near future

    ps. Anyone seen the HK film, 'Infernal Affairs'. Good twisty thriller & nice little hifi tube & cable swapping scene :MILD:
     
    sanj, May 13, 2004
    #30
  11. sanj

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

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    sanj - that pre looks like its made in the same factory as the ICON audio amps.

    I dont have the link anymore to the factory, but maybe someone will put it up so you can check..

    Chris

    NB
    My vote would be for the minimax or the DIY hifi supply Basie (consonance).

    On a really limited budget, a used audio innovations L1,L2 which you can get 150-200 if you shop carefully.

    I cant reccomend tonys amp because I havent heard it. If Lee and Tone say its good though, it probably is.

    :)
     
    bottleneck, May 13, 2004
    #31
  12. sanj

    sanj follow the tao

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    hi chris, I'm still doing some digging around on google. Seem to be thinking of excluding anything diy (cos I'll make a mess of it) & usa based.
    And yep, actually leaning towards the minimax - its small size, great looks helps.

    But all the suggestions have been really helpful :) :)
     
    sanj, May 13, 2004
    #32
  13. sanj

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

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    hi.

    most kit manufacturers will make the product for you for about an extra 100-200 pounds.

    This is my favourite route.

    Cheers
    Chris

    NB I reccomend www.hificollective.co.uk as a builder of anyones kit amps, including their own.

    NNB Yes, they built and modded my amps :D
     
    bottleneck, May 13, 2004
    #33
  14. sanj

    Tenson Moderator

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    IconAudio

    As far as I can tell Icon are actually just re-badgeed Ming Da ones. The company seems to have sprung up over night.

    Ming Da also use all point to point wiring, audio grade caps, ALPS blue pot's etc..
     
    Tenson, May 13, 2004
    #34
  15. sanj

    lowrider Live music is surround

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    I dont want to be a spoil sport, but I heard some Vincent gear, SS + tube, and it was quite bad... :rolleyes:
     
    lowrider, May 13, 2004
    #35
  16. sanj

    blakeaudio

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    have to say i love mine. it responds really well to tube rolling, which allows a little fine tuning to your system. it is really beautifully built. i can't over state that. i was amazed. it certainly doesn't feel out of place with my wadia.
     
    blakeaudio, May 13, 2004
    #36
  17. sanj

    Tenson Moderator

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    It is for the price they sell it! A pair of monoblocks and pre costs around £2500 from vincent I belive but the same with a sheng ya lable costs £900. Then it suddenly sounds very good ;)
     
    Tenson, May 13, 2004
    #37
  18. sanj

    badchamp Thermionic Member

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    Dean,

    Any news ???

    I'm definately considering one myself

    Thanks
    Jeff
     
    badchamp, Jul 13, 2004
    #38
  19. sanj

    SCIDB Moderator

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    Hi Jeff,

    I have the kit. It arrived quite quickly. In the process of building. I have been busy with other things, so I haven't had time to start it till now. Will report back when done.

    SCIDB
     
    SCIDB, Jul 13, 2004
    #39
  20. sanj

    badchamp Thermionic Member

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    Cheers Dean,

    Out of interest can I ask roughly what the dimensions are ?

    Jeff
     
    badchamp, Jul 13, 2004
    #40
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