Preamp Experiences

[Ivor]

MMMMMmmmm all this talk of pre amps has put the goo on me.... I've gone direct to a power amp for years (well power amp with gain) and have been quite happy but now this thread comes along and gets me thinking that maybe I should try a pre amp....

Well the funds aren't there for anything flash right now but I've just bought an Audio Innovations 200 valve preamp so let's see how that goes. Yes it is a tad old but it's also got new valves and new audionote caps so it should be good for another decade or so!

It also has a decent phono stage so that's a few more hours of amusement right there!

I probably won't have it in my sweaty little hands on it until next week but I'll report back....

(pic is not actual unit)

[Diapason]

LOL Ivor, it's amazing how quickly the bug can bite!

You know I'm a fan of the old AI stuff, and in many ways I think it's of a level with much more expensive modern-day stuff, so I'll be dying to hear your thoughts.

All the very best with it!!

[Ivor]

Thanks Si, I think it's a pretty safe bet. I've always admired them too and if it doesn't work out then it will be on sale here!

[cybot]

Nice one Ivor. Good luck with it....

[Adrian]

Nice one Ivor.... nice one.... but you know what's happening now.... you are on the slippery slope... and at the bottom lies one of these beauties!!!!!!!!!!

[Ivor]

Nice one Ivor.... nice one.... but you know what's happening now.... you are on the slippery slope... and at the bottom lies one of these beauties!!!!!!!!!!

Yeh the ATC 1 would be top of my list but the bank manager just laughed at me.... as I walked in the door.
The thing is I'm perfectly happy with the sound I'm getting but I have had this niggle for a while now that a pre might be worth trying. A good friend recently gave me a little Project headphone amp that is also a pre but it sucked something from the sound. This AI pre has a tape loop so I could have a headphone socket and a better pre amp... I'm told now I should have it tomorrow so let's see!

[Ivor]

Nice one Ivor. Good luck with it....

thanks Dermot, It's been a while since I bought anything shiny so it feels good!

[tony]

THats nice looking Ivor hopefully for your pocket it satisfies your needs. BTW drop me a pm on the dac we were talking about I might have a very good price on it. It is £600 retail btw not the £1000 we discussed.

[Steve]

Many thanks for the invites guys to hear the Jadis and Dynavector pre's. Will definitely look to take you up on that. And Tony, I will indeed remember to return the favour and get you involved!
The main challenge is to extract permission from the senior management to take over the living room for a while so will have to come up with a suitable timeframe...
It's amazing how strong a consensus there is on the importance of the preamp in the chain... Really wondering why I never really entertained the thoughts before....
Those Air Tights look extremely purposeful...

[MooseTrackz]

is the cp500 off your list?

Yeah. Tried it, liked it, but didn't love it.

What didn't you like about the cp 500?