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Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 01 August 2011 00:00 |
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 After having tested a Pass power amplifier and phono preamplifier, I could not wait to get my hands on a preamplifier, to complete the system analysis. The subject of this review is the venerable XP-20, which has been in the Pass inventory since 2009. It's a fully balanced design, with separate power supply chassis for low noise. The bench test results were quite surprising. Read on to see for yourselves.
Tags: Preamplifiers |
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Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 22 November 2010 00:00 |
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 We have been on a roll with reviewing PrimaLuna and Mysterè products, and they have all sounded terrific. The current review is on the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium Preamplifier, and would you believe it . . . it sounds terrific too. Compared to the standard version of the preamplifier, the Premium has a new front-end design using all 12AU7’s in a dual-mono configuration, a larger power transformer, home theater pass-through, a remote control while still using the higher end Alps Blue Velvet potentiometer, larger chassis with DiaLogue class cosmetics, tube rectification, and point to point wiring.
Tags: Class A | Preamplifiers | Triodes | Tubes |
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Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
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Thursday, 29 July 2010 00:00 |
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 Following on our recent review of the Mystere pa21 stereo tube power amplifier, we now review the matching preamplifier, the ca21. It is a single gain stage design, with only one buffer and one capacitor in the signal path. It is as beautiful as its brother, and sounds great as well. Read on.
Tags: Preamplifiers | Push Pull | Triode |
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Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 00:00 |
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 Lamm introduces their LL1 Signature preamplifier, which is the partner to their ML3 Signature power amplifier. Both the LL1 and ML3 are cost-no-object products using only the finest parts that can be found anywhere in the world. The design is based on Vladimir Lamm's 50 year career in design of tube components that perform at the extreme limits of sonic perfection. The LL1 is a $43,000 four-chassis, 114 pound, state-of-the-art masterpiece.
Tags: Class A | Preamplifiers | Triode | Tubes |
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Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
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Monday, 10 May 2010 00:00 |
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 Lamm Industries has been a venerable brand name in high end audio for decades. They build each product when it is ordered, so you won't see a bunch of any particular model "in stock" anywhere. Their specialty is tube-based preamplifiers and power amplifiers, with their top-of-the-line power amplifier selling at well over $100,000. The current review focuses on the model LL2.1 stereo preamplifier. At $5,995, it is the most affordable preamplifier in the Lamm product line.
The LL2.1 is an updated version of a previous model. Several new features have been added along with modifications of the basic circuit.
Tags: Class A | Preamplifiers | Tubes |
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Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
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Wednesday, 09 September 2009 00:00 |
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 Emotiva's new USP-1 stereo preamplifier, at $399, sets a new standard in performance in low priced components. Besides the standard full range outputs, this preamp offers a split output where you can adjust the low-pass frequency for one (which goes to your subwoofer) and the high-pass frequency for the other (which goes to your main power amplifier). This allows you to essentially bi-amplify, and with the low frequencies removed from the high-passed output, your power amplifier will run more efficiantly, not having to waste power on low frequencies that your speakers cannot reproduce. And, they toss in a phono stage that has both MC and MM settings. This may mark the beginning of phono stages being a standard part of stereo preamplifiers, rather than having to purchase an outboard phono stage. Long live LP's! Oh, there's a headphone jack too.
Tags: Amplifiers | Preamp | Stereo |
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Written by Ed Becker
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Thursday, 09 July 2009 00:00 |
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 conrad-johnson (lower case c and j) was formed in the mid-seventies, shortly after I became seriously interested in audio gear. I’m sure the two events were entirely unrelated. Their first product, a preamplifier, was immediately recognized as “state of the art,” and so their storied history began. I encourage you to visit their website for more details. There, they provide a long list of products that have been reviewed as "Best of Class", and even “Best in the World.”
Tags: Amplifiers | Phone Preamplifier | Phono Stage | Preamplifiers | Tubes |
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Written by Rick Schmidt
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Tuesday, 24 February 2009 16:00 |
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 The Parasound Halo P 7 Preamp is a problem solver. The problem is the gap between home theater systems and hi-end stereo systems. Many home theater buyers are fond of the stereo systems that they already own (and paid big bucks for), those that don’t already have a stereo might find that they can afford a lot more two channel gear than 7.1 channel gear and since 90-100% of their music collection is two channel.. well, you get the idea. But unless you are a hifi nut like me, you don’t have a room dedicated to the stereo and another dedicated to the home theater.
Tags: Amplifiers | Multichannel | Preamplifiers |
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Written by Chris Groppi
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Sunday, 01 June 2008 17:00 |
 As I said at the beginning of this review, now is a good time to be an audiophile. The Parasound 2100 preamplifier and 2250 power amplifier offer sound quality across the board so good I would have thought you’d have to pay at least $3,000 to get them. But, at a mere $1800, the Parasounds are a steal.
Tags: Amplifiers | Power Amplifiers | Preamplifiers | Stereo |
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Written by Piero Gabucci
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Sunday, 30 September 2007 16:00 |
 If I have my Greek mythology correct, Perseus was the slayer of Medusa, the serpent-haired Gorgon monster. Using his sword to view her reflection (because we all know a mere glance directly at her would turn you into stone instantly), he was able to slay her in her sleep.
Tags: Class A | Preamplifiers | Triode | Tubes |
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Preamplifiers
