Chinese Tube Pre Amp
Faustin
Posts: 1,149
I was searching for a tube pre to mate with a pair of 300b mono blocks. I had my Bottlehead Quickie that has several upgrades, in fact I think I have way more into coupling caps, Audio Note potentiometer etc than what the Quickie cost new. I tried the Quickie with the mono blocks, but I didn't like the sound at all. I tried to like the combination but it was not working for me. I was kind of frustrated but didn't want to jump on another pre and regret the purchase. So I continued to look. Meanwhile, I ran across a Chinese pre amp that is supposedly modeled after the Marantz 7 circuit. Don't know if that is true or not. It was stocked and warehoused in California and was only $189. I thought why not? I could always return it. Anyway, it arrived a couple of weeks ago well packed and it actually sounds pretty good. It is a much better fit for the mono blocks than the Quickie. It uses 2) 6z4's, 2) 12AU7's, and 2) 12AX7b tubes. I will play with it for a while and probably move it on. Or, just keep it on the shelf in case I need something in a pinch.
Comments
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Looks interesting and I really like the looks of the internals. Very simple and easy to replace anything. Chinese components get knocked for using cheap parts but you can quickly upgrade anything in there with just a soldering iron.
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The design of it looks similar to the layout/style of the EE MiniMax pre amp.
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Given that the Marantz 7 was a full function preamp using six 12AX7 in toto, no 12AU7 and solid state rectifier -- I think the notion that those ubiquitous "Marantz 7" based preamp boards (and preamps made from them) represents rather fanciful marketing.
http://www.go-gddq.com/upload/2013-01/23/2013011619.pdf (7C sm)
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/tas-legacy-marantz-model-7-preamplifier/
It would be straightforward to improve the P/S transformer if one were suitably motivated -- again, though, the 7/7C* P/S is probably quite a bit different.
Again, these Chinese things could be great or terrible, but I don't think they're very Marantz-ish (not that the 7 was all that great sounding of a preamp, IMO -- they are pretty, though).
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* according to that TAS article, the "C" simply identifies a Model 7 preamp in a case. -
Thanks for the input all. Again, not saying that this is a stellar piece of equipment, but something to get me through a transitional period. For $189?? Why not?
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And, I have no intention of any upgrades. It is what it is.
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For the price, it looks pretty awesome- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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I was thinking of getting one of these a couple years ago but cooled down on the thought. This does interest me again though, especially how good looking it is. There are a ton of these out there, mind PMing me the link of where you got this one?Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
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Looks interesting and I really like the looks of the internals. Very simple and easy to replace anything. Chinese components get knocked for using cheap parts but you can quickly upgrade anything in there with just a soldering iron.
Except the fact that a transformer is the most critical part of any audio component. That is where the price points really show themselves.
That was not intended to be a slam on Faustin’s purchase - just the reality of what these products are. I hope you continue to enjoy it!
I agree to a point. But this is preamp has an 80 watt transformer. Even if they are exaggerating a little (and they probably are) You don't need that many watts for a pre. Where the Chinese do fail is when they start putting undersized transformers into amplifiers. Then I will totally agree with you.
As for price points everything is relative. Some cheap Chinese gear sounds surprisingly good. This is a$200 pre built with a simple classic design. I have a feeling with some trivial tweaks it will sounds better than most of us would want to admit. Can you recommend a better non-Chinese tube pre for under $1000? -
@mhardy6647
I looked into the circuit description again and apparently it is copied from a Wada Shigeho circuit design. Wada dates back to the 60's where he set out to improve on the Marantz 7 design. Research that I have done says that he was way ahead of his time with some of his designs. -
Obligatory mention of the YS Audio tube pre on eBay that's been tempting me forever https://www.ebay.com/itm/YS-Audio-SYMPHONIES-PLUS-R-Remote-Tube-Preamplifier/190905561201
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I still have one of those sitting here at the house.
Not bad with the proper tubes installed.
Stock ones need to go. The power supply board
is a bit poorly built. I changed out the caps on mine (older unit)
and the circuit board runs blister up as soon as you touch an iron to it.
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
I have this very same preamp. I think she has a pretty good soundstage. I'm using NOS Telefunken tubes in her. And I have her plugged in to a completely restored Dynaco ST-70 using Genelex Gold lion tubes, playing through Dynaco A25 speakers. So the sound is pretty good. I would be interested in doing some improvements to this Chinese preamp. Any suggestions?
Power supply?? Caps?? -
Love to see some pics of the ST-70.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
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Nice piece of gear
