Music Angel Tubed Preamp

kawizx9r · June 2010

Downsizing on my audio equipment.

Up for sale is a chinese-model 'Music Angel' tubed preamp. Import models are usually a hit or miss type deal, but this was definitely a hit.

Chris (cstmar01) and Ben (concealor) have personally heard it before, so if you need further proof as to how it sounds for the money be sure to ask them for their opinion. (Unfortunately though, they didn't get to hear it with the Telefunken tubes in place)

In place for the tubes (which will be included) are a pair of Telefunken Smooth plate 12AX7's (x2) and an RCA Cleartop 12AU7 (x1). They have plenty of life left on them, enough to be sold individually but as I stated I'll include them in the pre. If you want as well, I can toss in the stock Russian Sovtek's. I should have them around somewhere, those too have alot of life left in them.

Now for the cons -
I'm missing a single screw on one side of the chassis and two in the rear (holds the top cover in place). I got it without the two in the rear, and there are five screws left to hold it perfectly in place.

The paint job on top isn't the best quality. Finger prints/etc really show up and there are about 4 or so scratches on it. The scratches aren't even hairline really, just thought I'd be upfront about it.

Last but not least, IMO I thought the LED above the power switch was pretty damn bright. Took care of that with a small piece of electrical tape though.

All in all, it's a great sounding piece. Had it hooked up to my fully-modified Moscode 300 running LSi7's, Magnepan MG-1B's and a pair of SDA 1C's which all sounded wonderful.

Stock power cord will be included.

Asking $225+shipping (US-only)

kawizx9r · June 2010

Here's pictures of it taken when I brought it over to Ben's.

kawizx9r · June 2010

Here's a top view of it with the cover removed. Ignore the tube buffer on the left.

Here it was in my last setup, since then it's been sitting unused.

punk-roc · June 2010

I'm interested in trying this out I think, but as you getting rid of this since you have the Peachtree Decco? How does ur setup sound compared to using the Decco? I have a Nova and was considering utilizing a tube pre to see if sounded better than using my Nova as the pre..

Jason

kawizx9r · June 2010

punk-roc wrote: »

I'm interested in trying this out I think, but as you getting rid of this since you have the Peachtree Decco? How does ur setup sound compared to using the Decco? I have a Nova and was considering utilizing a tube pre to see if sounded better than using my Nova as the pre..

Jason

Hey Jason,

to be honest I can't answer that based off side-by-side comparison. I just recently got my Decco about a couple of days ago. I sold my LSi7's before I got the Decco so I have no way to compare the Decco with the Music Angel.

I'm only downsizing because for the meanwhile, I prefer to have a simple setup as opposed to separate amp and separate preamp and source. As much as I'd like to keep my amp+preamp, it doesn't make too much sense since;
1. The place I'm at now is smaller than before so a setup like this is pretty much going to waste
2. I want the convenience of less cables, the use of a remote, and the fact that I can plug the Decco to my PC via USB for music

If you've got the Nova, I'd say that would be a much better sounding component since the Nova iirc has the infamous ESS Sabre DAC built in.

Unless you can completely bypass the preamp section of the Nova and utilize it's DAC only, I think the Nova will definitely hold it's own.

The music angel is simply a tubed preamp, but it sounds pretty damn good with the tubes it has in it. :cool:

-Freddy

concealer404 · June 2010

The Music Angel is a solid entry-level pre. Well worth the money, and i'd be picking it up to play if it had a remote.

kawizx9r · June 2010

Sold.

Music Angel Tubed Preamp

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