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What features, in addition to great sound, are important to you in a line level preamplifier for a high end system? For example, do you a) have to have, b) want, or c) not want features like the following: mute switch, balance control, tone control, remote operation, digital display, surround sound pass through, etc. etc. I tend to be a minimalist. But I ma curious what others think. Thanks.
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A balance control and a remote! All the remote really needs to do is volume and mute, but other functions are good too. Oh, and a fixed level output to hook up to a headphone amp.Steve Lefkowicz
Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback
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Analog 1: Linn LP12 (MOSE/Hercules II), Ittok, Dynavector 10X5 MK.II Low, iPhono2/iPowerX; Analog 2: Pro-Ject RPM-1 Carbon, Talisman S, iFi iPhono.
Digital: Geekom Mini PC (i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, JRiver Media Center 29, Tidal HiFi, Qobuz Studio), iFi NEO iDSD, iFi iUSB3, iPurifier2, Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ.
Electronics: Jolida Fusion (fully upgraded) line-stage, DIY passive line-stage, Antique Sound Labs MG-SI15DT-S, Burson Timekeeper Virtuoso
Speakers: Tekton Perfect SET 15, Tekton Lore, Magneplaner .7
Interconnects: Morrow Audio MA1, Vermouth Audio Black Pearl, Audioquest Evergreen
Speaker cables: WyWyres Diamond, Morrow Audio SP4, Vermouth Audio Red Velvet, Audioquest Type 5
Digital cables: Aural Symphonics USB, iFi Gemini twin-head USB.
Accessories: Sound Organization turntable shelf, Mondo racks, Pangea Audio Vulcan rack, Pi Audio Group Über BUSS, Monster HTS2000 power conditioner, Kinetronics anti-static brush, Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner, Spin Clean record cleaner.
Headphones: Schiit Valhalla amp, Burson Conductor Virtuoso Amp, Meze Audio 99 Classic and 99 Neo, Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 600 ohm, 1More Triple Driver Over Ear, 1More Triple Driver IEM -
Hi Bill,
I only need/would like these features in my preamp of choice:
- digital display that automatically turns off after last operation. This way I can keep the pre on 24/7 without worrying about LED burning out.
- remote
- mute button would be nice, but not necessary
I used to need a HT bypass, and had that in my Rowland pre, but no longer need that in my new setup.
HTH.Kronos Sparta -> Trinity Phono -> Trinity Pre -> CH Precision A1 -> Magico S7sComment
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A remote volume control and tubes!
Sorry I need to edit.........fully differential balanced circuit input to output..........and tubes.Last edited by nc42acc; 02-08-2016, 05:56 PM.MartyComment
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Mute not necessary But okOriginally posted by BillH View Post
Mono yes
Balance yes
Tone no
Remote not necessary but ok if no interference with sound
Digital display always good
Home theater noTurntable: TW Acustic TT with Ref motor & controller; Tri-Planar Arm; Transfiguration Proteus Cartridge, Harmonix-Combak platter mat & weight; PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp; KLAudio Ultrasonic Record Cleaner.
Digital: Bluesound Vault-2 Music Server & Streamer
Amplification: VTL 6.5 preamp Series II, Pass Labs 150.8 Amp
Loudspeakers: Piega C711 Loudspeakers
Isolation: Symposium Osiris Rack; Symposium Platforms and Roller Blocks and grade 2.5 Balls
Misc: Acoustic Revive RR-888 Low Frequency Pulse Generator, Synergistic Research 12 UEF SE Line Conditioner, Level 3 HC AC Cord and Level 3 Atmosphere power cords, Synergistic Carbon fiber wall plates, Synergistic Research Orange Outlet, Furutech NCF Booster Braces, synergistic Research Galileo and Atmosphere X Euphoria Level 3 Balanced ICs, Synergistic Research Euphoria Level 3 Speaker Cables, Synergistic Research Cable Risers.
Sennheiser HDV 650 Headphone Amp; Sennheiser HD800s Headphones.Comment
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Originally posted by BillH View Post
remote operation (very few [only one] company comes without remote operation?) --for me an absolute necessity
balanced/single ended input and outputs
mute switch
balance control (tape people can use this if no one else)
digital display (as Allen said can be turned off)
user programmable settings for each input (so I don't blast my ear out accidentally when going from one input to another)
absolute phase (?) remote control
stereo/mono (?)Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
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-Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
-Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
-Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
-Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
-VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
-VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
-Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
-Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
-Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
-Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.Comment
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remote operation of power, volume, absolute phase,mute
balance control
stereo mono switch
tape loop(s)
switched ac outlet ( for hours meter,)
output trigger
analog pot volume control
oops: I forgot to mention all tubed signal pathLast edited by JCOConnell; 02-08-2016, 06:36 PM.Magnepan 1.6 QR Loudspeakers, Amherst A-2000 MOSFET 150 WPC Amp, Conrad Johnson PV-10A Modded Tube Line & Phono Stage, Electrocompaniet MC II Class A Head Amp, Audio Technica AT-OC9XML Cart (Stereo) , Graham Engineering 2.2 Tonearm (Stereo) , VPI Aries-1 Turntable (Stereo) , VPI Clamp, Denon DL-102 Cart, (Mono) , Luxman Tonearm (Mono) , Kenwood KD-500 Turntable (Mono) , Michell Clamp, Marantz 20B Analog FM Tuner, Pioneer SACD, Onkyo DX-6800 CD Transport, DIY 24B/192K DAC, Sennheiser HD-650 Headphones, Headroom Max Balanced Headphone Amp, DIY Silver InterconnectsComment
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