Some Pics of my new Granite Audio 825 Preamp

blakeh
blakeh Posts: 491
edited April 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Is there a commandment against coveting your neighbor's audio equipment? If so; I broke it. Ever since my friend and fellow forum member (ALL212) bought a Granite Audio 825 preamp from Audiogon last year, I've been wanting to get my hands on it. They come up for sale very rarely and I've bugged Aaron nearly everyday to sell it to me. Well, he finally bought a new tube pre (Odyssey Candela) and parted with this.

This is going into my secondary (office) rig where I'm upgrading from a Dodd ELP (which is a fantastic unit). However, as great as the ELP sounds, this takes it to the next level. Great soundstage and better bass. I'm very pleased with it. It helps that Aaron spent the last year rolling tubes and came up with a combination that sounds top notch.

The 825 is paired with a Dodd 50w tube amp driving a pair of LSi9s. One word of advice for those who haven't dipped their toe into the abyss of tubes... be prepared to spend some money and never look back!

825_front_s.jpg
(There are two headphone outputs on the front panel)

825_front_angle_s.jpg
(That is the biggest 5Y3 (rectifier) tube I have ever seen!)

825_top_s.jpg
(Aaron included a quad of early 1950s Valvo EL84s, a late 1950s E80CC (12AU7) Valvo, and an early 1960s RCA 5Y3 rectifier)

825_back_s.jpg
(The Dodd ELP had two inputs and one output. It's nice to have a few more options.)

825_remote_s.jpg
(The remote weighs 10 ounces. I wouldn't want this thing hurled at me!)

I'm currently experiencing a rather nasty ground loop hum, but I think I can take care of that with a Tripp Lite IS250 isolation transformer. Fingers crossed!

This will be the last audio upgrade on this rig for quite some time. :D
/COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    Tubes suck, your pre-amp sucks because no one has ever heard of it!!!:D:p




























    J/K............I can say that since he's my brother. I need to stop over and hear it.

    H9
    "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!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    blakeh wrote: »

    This will be the last audio upgrade on this rig for quite some time. :D

    Sure!!! And I won't buy anymore tubes :p
    "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!
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  • blakeh
    blakeh Posts: 491
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Sure!!! And I won't buy anymore tubes :p

    It's a deal! You can buy new tubes for any of your systems the next time I replace gear in my office rig. I'm holding you to it! :D
    /COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2010
    Looks nice!
    "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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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited February 2010
    Granite Audio is off the charts good stuff. I drool everytime I see & hear them at Stephen's place. I have one of his power cords from the wall to my Equitech Balanced Power unit that gets my whole system fired up.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited February 2010
    Very nice unit! I haven't seen the EL84 tubes in a preamp before. They are great in low output integrated tube amps. I love the look!:D
    Carl

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  • blakeh
    blakeh Posts: 491
    edited February 2010
    If I understand the schematics correctly, the EL84s are not a part of the preamp circuit. One pair of EL84s feed one of the headphone stages, and the other two feed the other headphone stage.
    /COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    blakeh wrote: »
    If I understand the schematics correctly, the EL84s are not a part of the preamp circuit. One pair of EL84s feed one of the headphone stages, and the other two feed the other headphone stage.

    I was thinking more about that after we got off the phone. I can't imagine a single 12AU7 handling the pre and driver stage of that pre-amp. The EL 84's have to be part of more than just the headphone amp. Even my little Dared hybrid integrated has (2) dual triodes, one for each channel and one triode from each tube handles that sides pre and driver stage.

    Perhaps I don;t have a firm grasp on the concept, but that might mean the pre or driver stage is solid state. I just can't imagine a single tube handling both functions for both the left and right channel.

    H9
    "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!
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  • blakeh
    blakeh Posts: 491
    edited February 2010
    I wondered the same thing myself. Aaron has a copy of the schematics, but he says they're not detailed enough to get a firm grasp on the whole picture. He could only guess by what information was given to him that the EL84s weren't part of the preamp circuit. But, he also said that swapping out the EL84s made an audible difference, so that would point to the fact that they actually ARE part of the circuit.

    Still a mystery I guess.
    /COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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  • blakeh
    blakeh Posts: 491
    edited February 2010
    On a different topic... obviously I am familiar with the TRS style headphone jack on the front, but I'm still trying to figure out what plugs into the 4-pin DIN style jack to the left of the TRS jack. I believe it's supposed to be for a different style of headphone connector, but I can't find any information about it. Does anyone know?
    /COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2010
    Sweet looking pre,,I especially like the headphone switch,,have you plugged a pair into it? I would imagine that it sounds silky with those EL-84's
    Congrats
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2010
    That thing is a beauty and I'd too love to hear cans through it.
    Jake
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2010
    Well,, I know others here are thinking it,,so I'll just go ahead and ask,,any plans for the ELP?--I know a couple of guys here that would jump on it in a New York minute.:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    george daniel wrote: »
    Well,, I know others here are thinking it,,so I'll just go ahead and ask,,any plans for the ELP?--I know a couple of guys here that would jump on it in a New York minute.:)

    I'm sure he got a ton of pm's. I know I sent him one and I'm close.:)
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2010
    Well she's got the looks and apparently the goods to back it up, Congrats
    blake.

    RT1
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Nice.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • mhmacw
    mhmacw Posts: 832
    edited February 2010
    thats a sweet unit man! for those about to rock!
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited February 2010
    That's hot.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited February 2010
    You guys can forget about the ELP because it's MINE if he sells it.:p:D
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    daboyz wrote: »
    You guys can forget about the ELP because it's MINE if he sells it.:p:D

    Ha Ha Dave, get in line behind me! :p
    "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!
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Ha Ha Dave, get in line behind me! :p

    You're not worthy.:) You'll just fry it anyway.:eek:

    I've got the RAS SuperDibs,remember?:D

    No worries, I've got dibs on Michael's(Face)ELP(was mine).
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited February 2010
    You have Superdibs on everything, except Blake's ELP. :)
    "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!
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2010
    daboyz wrote: »
    You guys can forget about the ELP because it's MINE (for two weeks) if he sells it.:p:D

    Fixed.:p

    Nice piece Blake!
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited February 2010
    Very nice,and congrats. Since alot of folks around here have LSI9's,maybe you could elaborate a bit more on the sound quality differences with tube gear. That puppy is sexy lookin'. Makes ya want to rub your junk all over it.:p:D
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I was thinking more about that after we got off the phone. I can't imagine a single 12AU7 handling the pre and driver stage of that pre-amp. The EL 84's have to be part of more than just the headphone amp. Even my little Dared hybrid integrated has (2) dual triodes, one for each channel and one triode from each tube handles that sides pre and driver stage.

    Perhaps I don;t have a firm grasp on the concept, but that might mean the pre or driver stage is solid state. I just can't imagine a single tube handling both functions for both the left and right channel.

    H9
    blakeh wrote: »
    I wondered the same thing myself. Aaron has a copy of the schematics, but he says they're not detailed enough to get a firm grasp on the whole picture. He could only guess by what information was given to him that the EL84s weren't part of the preamp circuit. But, he also said that swapping out the EL84s made an audible difference, so that would point to the fact that they actually ARE part of the circuit.

    Still a mystery I guess.

    I understand your point and that's why it's a mystery. The EL84 is a pretty strong tube for a preamp circuit. But so is a 6SN7. It's just that I haven't seen the EL84 in a preamp before. But anything is possible!
    Carl

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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    .....
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Ha Ha Dave, get in line behind me! :p
    daboyz wrote: »
    You guys can forget about the ELP because it's MINE if he sells it.:p:D


    Both you guys suck.:p
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited February 2010
    Wow, remote and the headphone options make this a winner, AND tube rectified.
    How DOES it sound?

    DC
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2010
    Dibs on the ELP,,:rolleyes:

    Please post some results when you have a chance,, and please if possible include the headphone OP.Sure is beautiful--enjoy.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2010
    blakeh wrote: »
    If I understand the schematics correctly, the EL84s are not a part of the preamp circuit. One pair of EL84s feed one of the headphone stages, and the other two feed the other headphone stage.

    I got an e-mail from Don,, the EL 84's are for the headphone circuit,, but they also are in there for the B+ voltage/regulation.Innaresting pre,, guess the only way to hear it,is to buy one.:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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