Black Anthem Pre 1L

thsmith

I bought this pre off the original owner at Audiogon in late November 2009 to see if I would like a tube pre. Here’s the link I posted when I bought it http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91999&highlight=Anthem . I like having a tube pre so much I sold my Adcom GFP-750 and ready to upgrade to pre that has HT bypass and a remote which is another Anthem, Pre 2L.

The condition is very good with exception of a couple of scratches on the front bottom left side. Pretty faint but visible up close (>12 inches) and the pics make them look worse than they are and could easy be touched up.

I did upgrade the output caps (2) to V-Cap OIMPs which was a nice upgrade. In my discussions with Chris Venhaus (V-cap owner) he recommended to replace the caps with 1uf vs the 2uf that originally came in the Pre since my AMPs input impedance was 100Kohms. He said as long as the new buyers AMP had input impedance higher than 40Kohms the 1uf is good to go. The 1.0 uf OIMP V-caps are $47 a piece and well worth the $100 upgrade.

I will include the original 2uf REL caps that came with the Pre in case the new owner has an AMP with input impedance lower than 40Kohms or in case they sell it and the new owner needs to 2uf caps.

I have the original Sovtek tubes that came with the Pre when new and will be included in the sell as well as the stock power cord. I do not have the manual but here is the link http://www.anthemav.com/OldSitev1/pdf/pre1l.pdf
I do recommend upgrading the tubes from the stock Sovtek for a wider soundstage and richer sound, The Sovteks sound thin to me but they do sound good enough to not be in a rush to roll tubes. I am currently using RCA (Siemens) 6922 tubes which are my favorites and plan to install them in the Anthem Pre 2L.

I do have a matched quad of 6DJ8 I bought from Jesse Brent with low hours(<100 hours) I will consider selling them for $140 ($85 a pair from Jesse) to whoever buys this pre. Description from Jesse’s site “New Old Stock Original box and white box. These are identical to the Bugle Boy logo tubes, most 1960s "white label" type. Some are made for Hewlett-Packard, Dario Miniwatt, and some for DuMont. All made in the same Heerlen, Holland factory as the famous Bugle Boys! Carefully hand selected and matched. Bugle Boy tubes at big savings!”

Audiogon average bluebook is $463 for the Anthem Pre 1L
Sale price with V-caps $325 plus shipping and PP if used.

The Pre 1L will be double boxed and insured ideally using Fedex unless the buyer prefers another shipper. My guess is $25 would cover shipping.

Stereophile review
http://www.anthemav.com/OldSitev1/review/amp1.html

Soundstage Review
http://www.soundstage.com/das_pram.htm

Pycroft

Super damn...I wish Good luck with the sale!

James

thsmith

One more thing, based upon the reviews the Headphone output is quite nice, no personal experience.

Pycroft

I'm going to count my pennies...not sure if I can come up with it

dagame27

Anthem makes great Pre's. I am sure that whoever buys this will be happy. Good luck with the sale.

thsmith

Agree dagame27. I am loving the PRE 2L, I see you have one. Maybe I should give the AMperex another listen. I noticed my Pre 2L has Solen out put caps.

Pycroft

PM Sent

HB27

PM at ya!

thsmith

PM's replied

NJPOLKER

Good move and at that price you can't go wrong.
I love my Anthem Pre-2L and you are going to really like yours too!

NJPOLKER

thsmith wrote: »

Agree dagame27. I am loving the PRE 2L, I see you have one. Maybe I should give the AMperex another listen. I noticed my Pre 2L has Solen out put caps.

They gotta go immediately. :eek:

thsmith

NJPOLKER wrote: »

They gotta go immediately. :eek:

Funny you say that, I was PMing with someone and said the same thing.

I am actually finding the remote to work quite well, nothing like people describe in their reviews.

thsmith

Pre is still available.

NJPOLKER

My remote is OK

It does leave a lot to be desired but does serve its purpose.

thsmith

What gain level is yours set to? Mine is 8db, I suspect if I raise the gain the remote will become less controllable for volume.

As cazy as it sounds I might try V-Cap TFTFs.

NJPOLKER

8db also

Nothing sounds crazy to me any more.

Can you get the TFTF's in 2uF?

Face

NJPOLKER wrote: »

8db also

Nothing sounds crazy to me any more.

Can you get the TFTF's in 2uF?

Yes: http://www.v-cap.com/tefloncapacitors.html

NJPOLKER

Thanks Face

You really need to get those and they are affordable too! Depending on how many you buy of course. Hell $600. + for a pair, why not?

Face

I've been looking into them for my pre, fortunately the largest value I need is 1uf.

thsmith

NJPOLKER wrote: »

8db also

Nothing sounds crazy to me any more.

Can you get the TFTF's in 2uF?

Yes but I will go with 1uf as recommended by Chris since my Anthem AMp 1 input impedance is 100kohms.

Anthem used 2uf since they would not know what amp the consumer would use. Since I know that I can use a cap that is less in the output.

Ends up being $190 X 2 which why I am still on the fence. What has me thinking this is a friend just bought a Primaluma Prologue 3 with them and some nothing fancy tubes and I was blown away how good the pre sounded.

Nothing but praise on the TFTFs and they win every cap shootout I have read but still $380 to do my Pre :eek:

thsmith

Pre still available

thsmith

Received PM requesting how much life is left in the Sovteks.

I have tested all 4 on my Sencore TC -142

All passed gas leak and short test.

All four read 100/100

The orignal owner said pre was lightly used and had never used any tube other that what came with the Pre.

These tubes measure as new.

daboyz

Pm sent

thsmith

PM replied

Dawgfish

Pm Sent

george daniel

I would think that this would be a great way to move into a tubed pre,The VH caps are not cheap either,, good luck with the sale,,I'm surprised that it's still here.

thsmith

Dawgfish wrote: »

Pm Sent

PM replied

thsmith

Thank George

thsmith

Sold !

Pycroft

Congrats...wish I had the money for it

Ricardo

Did you get it Dave?