Need Preamp Recs for AmpCampAmp

vcwatkins
vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
I have zero experience with efficient low power rigs and could use some suggestions on preamps to use with the little ACA that's heading my way. I'll read up over at DIY, but I thought maybe @mhardy6647, @ALL212, @SCompRacer, or others here may have some good ideas.

I don't have a passive preamp on hand and am guessing that's what's needed since it looks like the input is 10Kohm?

Volume remote control would be nice but maybe not the best idea in this setup? (It's possible this rig would be limited to near field which would mean the remote is unnecessary.) I've never priced motorized Alps kits (or whatever is appropriate).

I wouldn't mind having a Adcom GFP-750 again since I miss having one around, but it seems way too expensive to just get passive pre with remote volume and possibly not the cleanest signal for this application??

Should I drop the idea of a remote altogether and just build or buy a decent volume knob?

Anyone tried a Roon endpoint/DAC/preamp like Mytek Brooklyn or Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 in this sort of setup?

Thanks for any help,
Craig
Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet

Comments

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,560
    Schiit SYS or Saga worth a look.
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Thanks Clipdat, I'll take a look. I really like their headphone amps, especially the little Magni3.
    Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Saga looks like it might be a very good fit!
    Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • CoolJazz
    CoolJazz Posts: 569
    Part of the load a pre drives is that normally listed R value, but there is also the question of the complex impedance. As in how capacitive is the load? That's why different units work better together, or not.

    A passive is not just fighting the fact it's a simply voltage divider and the impedance change with the volume control, but also that it's drive impedance ability is dependant on the components ability when there is no pre to handling the heavier lifting of the capacitance. What tends to happen is higher distortion numbers than often people realize as the levels get higher.

    I've played for some time with a number of Nelsons DIY efforts and I've got the Amp Camp boards, but not gotten to the project yet. But I believe I remember comments as to driving the load of the active devices being more than simple.

    So if I remember right, it may be less of a candidate for passively driving. I'd echo the idea of the Schiit Saga as being a pretty good option.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Thanks, @CoolJazz. May give some thought to a Saga/Bifrost combo.
    Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,553
    Rent ya a passive home made pre with volume control. 3 in...3 out, select any iny, put it to any outy. 10k Alps Blue volume pot and Gold Point selectors.

    f32vel3ons7a.jpg

    5mbh0c6f9876.jpg


    See how easy that was!!
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,640
    I have played around with a Schiit Sys with the ACAs I have here and it is a good combo...the Jolida passive pre is even better. But it's like finding hen's teeth.

    I also wanted to try out a couple of others but have not gotten around to it with all the work going on in the basement.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    I have the older version of the ACA mono-blocks (v. 1.1?) which I use with a Schiit Saga. IMO, the input impedance on the ACA is not high enough for use with a passive pre. The buffer mode on the Saga does produce better results than the passive mode--at least to my ears. With the Saga, you can switch between passive & buffer modes to compare for yourself. And it is nice to have 5 inputs and remote control!

    Now I did swap the stock tube for a nice old Sylvania 6SN7-GTA, which, again, to my ears, produced a slightly better sound stage. Note that the tube is used only as a buffer, so tube rolling doesn't result in larger sound differences you will get in a pre where the tubes are used for amplification.
    A day without music is like a day without food.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,053
    I was thinking of pairing my camp amp (provided I can get a kit) with this, also a kit.

    https://www.tubedepot.com/products/elekit-tu-8500-stereo-tube-preamplifier-kit
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    edited March 2018
    heh -- just hooked up "mine" (well, it's actually just sort of visiting -- another story for another time), built (nay, lovingly crafted) by the fourm's own ALL212, this morning* via a passive front end with transformer volume control.

    In this particular case, I could use some more front-end gain, so I may try an active preamp. Further details as/if events warrant.

    Bottom line -- if you have a decent active preamp... why not try it? Cannot beat empiricism in this hobby, IMO.

    ________________
    * Trying the ACA as the amplifier for a pair of the (in)famous, cheap Parts Express "Dayton" brand B652-AIR speakers even as I type this.

    stzc0vd0pf2u.png


  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    ALL212 wrote: »
    Rent ya a passive home made pre with volume control. 3 in...3 out, select any iny, put it to any outy. 10k Alps Blue volume pot and Gold Point selectors.

    f32vel3ons7a.jpg

    5mbh0c6f9876.jpg


    See how easy that was!!

    ooh, so many inny-outty bits.
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Many thanks, guys.

    I'll have a few active preamps I can try out - 3 tube and an ARC solid state. That Elekit pre is very interesting. Hmm...

    Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Whoa, tracking shows Friday am ACA delivery. But it also shows it's coming from Lippo di Calderara, Italy. :o
    Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,560
    That's the chassis.
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    Whoa, tracking shows Friday am ACA delivery. But it also shows it's coming from Lippo di Calderara, Italy. :o

  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Right. Pretty impressive - chassis from Italy arrives same day as parts from PA.
    Beach Audio: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Schiit Yggy * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    1. how do they do that?
    2. ... and the furniture delivery place says that the truck will come tomorrow sometime between 8 AM and 4 PM.

    Do these people even live in the same world?

    ;)