Bent Audio - Passive Preamps

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited December 2008 in Electronics
BENT AUDIO - Passive Preamps (Linked Here)

Anybody know anything about these guys? I found one extremely positive review from last year of one of their pres on 6moons (Linked Here)


Their build quality and design specifications look pretty damn good as well. I also like the digital volume meter.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2008
    Heard of em'' but the darn thing looks very good,and as you said apparently well built? How much? Brad(EarlyB) seems to have alot of knowledge about passives,,he suggested that I try one,,and I might just do that too,,please let us know which one you end up with.Good luck.

    One just recently sold on A'gon,,for 2200.00
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    FWIW, I'm only familiar with two passives -- Promitheus and Placette. Personally, I'd have a tough time justifying spending two grand for a passive preamp.

    SS -- I'd suggest taking an hour or so and skim through the very lengthy thread on the Promitheus TVC at Audiocircle. There are several comparisons made between the Promitheus and Bent, Music First, and others. In fact, some posters sold their expensive passives and replaced them with a $400 Promitheus. I'm not suggesting that you purchase a Promitheus, I'm just pointing out that the cost is probably not an indicator better sound quailty.

    George -- if you want to hear the Placette on your system, I'll bring it over your house one day. Just say the word.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    george daniel wrote: »
    Heard of em'' but the darn thing looks very good,and as you said apparently well built? How much? Brad(EarlyB) seems to have alot of knowledge about passives,,he suggested that I try one,,and I might just do that too,,please let us know which one you end up with.Good luck.

    One just recently sold on A'gon,,for 2200.00

    You can get one with RCA in and two RCA outs for $1400.

    Have you seen the user manual? Download it. It's extremely informative and explains the technology inside a little more.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    You can get one with RCA in and two RCA outs for $1400.

    Go for it. If it's not as good as the Dodd, return it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Go for it. If it's not as good as the Dodd, return it.

    Thought about it, but now you got me looking at the promitheus. And I'm still consdering Ben's stuff.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Thought about it, but now you got me looking at the promitheus. And I'm still consdering Ben's stuff.

    FWIW, I prefer the Placette over the Promitheus for reasons not related to the sound. The Placette has a remote, no gain issues, customer service is better, and warranty/repair work is stateside.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    FWIW, I prefer the Placette over the Promitheus for reasons not related to the sound. The Placette has a remote, no gain issues, customer service is better, and warranty/repair work is stateside.

    Exactly! I was worried about all these, including the gain issues. Reading your review on Affordable Audio from March of 2007 alerted me to this issue. The Bent Audio gear looks so solid and thought out that I really want to try it.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Brad,

    Let's get together and find out how much our DACs sound alike. That would be the sign of a good passive right? About the only reason to buy one good passive from another is aesthetics and extra features.

    Mike
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Brad,

    Let's get together and find out how much our DACs sound alike. That would be the sign of a good passive right? About the only reason to buy one good passive from another is aesthetics and extra features.

    Mike

    OK, but how do we do that? Are you gonna send me your CDP? I'll be glad to demo it for you alongside my CDP.;)

    I think you gotta look at several things -- voltage from the source, CDP capacitance, CDP build quality of power supply, cable specs, speaker sensitivity, and amp power. With your system, I don't think you have anything to be concerned about if you plan to run a passive pre.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2008
    Hmmm...Bent Audio, Bent Over......don't like that name.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Hmmm...Bent Audio, Bent Over......don't like that name.

    "Satisfy Ebony arm"

    But you're ok with this?
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    "Satisfy Ebony arm"

    But you're ok with this?

    Ha ha ha; you took the time to look for something like that. funny.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Found Another good review - click here.


    and this short one - right here.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,537
    edited December 2008
    try a used Placette..seriously. I can't imagine music being any more natural/neutral.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    try a used Placette..seriously. I can't imagine music being any more natural/neutral.

    A used Placette is around $1K and doesn't come with the aesthetics or all the nifty features of the Bent gear.

    Not to mention, if I buy it NEW for $1,400, I get the benefit of a full warranty.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    A used Placette is around $1K and doesn't come with the aesthetics or all the nifty features of the Bent gear.

    I agree with Steve (of course, I'm biased because we both own the Placette:D).

    More features usually equates to more crap in the signal path. IMO, if you're gonna go passive, then get the purest form of passive with only resistors or transformers and some wire in a box. That's it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I agree with Steve (of course, I'm biased because we both own the Placette:D).

    More features usually equates to more crap in the signal path. IMO, if you're gonna go passive, then get the purest form of passive with only resistors or transformers and some wire in a box. That's it.

    Well, I can't say from experience but the people and Bent claim the extra stuff in no way adds to the signal. Plus I don't want to be like you guys! How we gonna further our audio lives if we all buy the same gear? I'm gonna show up at your place with my CDP and Bent (if I get it) and we're gonna see . . . :eek:
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited December 2008
    do you need more than one input? The Placette RVC is around $600 used.

    You could check out Goldpoint also, lots of inputs and supposed to be very good. I think Face uses one.

    http://www.goldpt.com/

    EDIT: I used the McCormack TLC-1 for a while and it was a fantastic passive with plenty of inputs. Around $400 on the used market.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Plus I don't want to be like you guys! How we gonna further our audio lives if we all buy the same gear? I'm gonna show up at your place with my CDP and Bent (if I get it) and we're gonna see . . . :eek:

    Good point. I can't speak for Steve, but you certainly don't want to be like me.:o

    C'mon -- you're invited to my place for a head-to-head beat-off.:eek: My CDP will kick your CDP's ****. And the Bent will feel like it got bent over once it hears the Placette. But leave your speakers at home. Mine would tremble in fear if they had to compete with yours.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited December 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    ... if you're gonna go passive, then get the purest form of passive with only resistors or transformers and some wire in a box. That's it.

    If they are so simple, why so costly? :confused:
    ____________________
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    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    tryrrthg wrote: »
    do you need more than one input? The Placette RVC is around $600 used.

    You could check out Goldpoint also, lots of inputs and supposed to be very good. I think Face uses one.

    http://www.goldpt.com/

    EDIT: I used the McCormack TLC-1 for a while and it was a fantastic passive with plenty of inputs. Around $400 on the used market.

    Well right now there's no RVC used. I actually need two inputs right now, but could get by with one. The thing I also like about the Bent is that it leaves room to be upgraded if necessary in the future. If I want to add XLR later then I can.

    I'll look into the GP. Thanks.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    If they are so simple, why so costly? :confused:

    Those few simple parts can be very costly.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Those few simple parts can be very costly.

    one word, "Vishay"
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Well right now there's no RVC used. I actually need two inputs right now, but could get by with one. The thing I also like about the Bent is that it leaves room to be upgraded if necessary in the future. If I want to add XLR later then I can.

    SS -- you haven't pulled the trigger on the Bent yet? What are you waiting for?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    SS -- you haven't pulled the trigger on the Bent yet? What are you waiting for?

    Waiting to sell my Dodd and continuing to do some research.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2008
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    If they are so simple, why so costly? :confused:
    I don't understand either.

    Speaking of, here's one that just went for $138.

    http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?prea20ch&1233102641&class&3&4&

    1227918973.jpg
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    Face wrote: »
    I don't understand either.

    Speaking of, here's one that just went for $138.

    http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?prea20ch&1233102641&class&3&4&

    This one has cheap parts, so the price reflects it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2008
    Those are Vishay resistors.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    I think I am going to get a stripped down Bent once I finalize everything. I talked to the guy over there and he was amazing. I'm going to have two inputs that are switched to make it even quieter (because it's effectively one input). I took out the active buffer stage. Should be damn awesome.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Face wrote: »
    Those are Vishay resistors.

    I called Vishay, they said those are the cheap ones :rolleyes:
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