A Valve Derived Pre-amp ...

Posted by: George F on 25 February 2016

Little Dot Mark 3.

As some will have gathered I am happier with mono replay than stereo, and about thrirty to forty per cent of the recording I own are pure mono, so that I am using one ESL 57 these days.

How I have my pair of ESLs home again after selling them is another story, but I also currently have my NAP 100 also. This one I never really tried to sell very much.

The thing that has changed is that I have the Little Dot performing the function of pre-amp with the MAC Mini summing to mono when the recordings are stereo, and the LD acting as pre-amp onto one side of the NAP 100 and feeding one ESL in the ideal position in my room.

Most would consider the result gentle, probably to a fault, but what I have found is that a valve pre-amp brings a range and accuracy to the solo and orchestral violin that is remarkable. Essentially this is what might be called narrow band replay in the way that VHF might also be characterised, and yet is has the lucidity and gentle naturalness of character that is recognisably similar to VHF.

But up till now I assumed that this VHF-like quality was a rarity. It is most like the real timbres and sonorities of a real orchestra, or chamber group or particularly a soloist as heard live. Not perfect, not invariably accurate, but immensely enveloping in its effect.

I hope that you will forgive these observations.

Best wishes from George

Posted on: 25 February 2016 by Briz Vegas

I have to say that for someone focused on the music you make a lot of changes to your gear. Observation for contemplation, not criticizing. I use naim DAC with all valve pre power amps for some years now. Stereo because I like the separation it provides. Upgrade or even change is now too expensive so I will be here for while I suspect. The sound has a very tangible presence which I like, but this may or may not be due to valves.

Posted on: 25 February 2016 by George F

When you have a small income, changes are inevitable. The music continues, and funnily enough forced changes can reveal something beautiful and un-suspected! Even un-hoped-for ...

More expense is not always they way forward, and sometimes Fate can bring rewards, unsuspected.

ATB from George

Posted on: 25 February 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk

George Fredrik Fiske posted:
More expense is not always they way forward, and sometimes Fate can bring rewards, unsuspected.

So true....

Posted on: 25 February 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

George Fredrik Fiske posted:
Most would consider the result gentle, probably to a fault, but what I have found is that a valve pre-amp brings a range and accuracy to the solo and orchestral violin that is remarkable. Essentially this is what might be called narrow band replay in the way that VHF might also be characterised, and yet is has the lucidity and gentle naturalness of character that is recognisably similar to VHF.
But up till now I assumed that this VHF-like quality was a rarity. It is most like the real timbres and sonorities of a real orchestra, or chamber group or particularly a soloist as heard live. Not perfect, not invariably accurate, but immensely enveloping in its effect.

It sounds like you've discovered second order distorsion added by the tubes. It's euphonic and tends to highlight the upper harmonics. I find it very appealing.

Posted on: 25 February 2016 by Clay Bingham

George

Wherever you go in your musical journey you always seem to enjoy yourself. That's all that counts.

Posted on: 25 February 2016 by Tabby cat

Good news about the 57 ' s return George.Are they staying for good ?

Agree with your comments about Valves in preamps.

My Nagra PLL uses 2 ECC 83's and 1 ECC 81.It just sounds so musical natural and transparent best thing I did on my audio journey was getting into valves.Especially as I am listening to more and more classical these days so Timberal accuracy is important.

Look foward to reading how you will tweak the system.Great that you have the Sennheisers as well.

Best Wishes Ian

Posted on: 26 February 2016 by George F

The one ESL is staying for good, and the other will presently go to a well known repair workshop for spares.

When I have only one ESL it will be even harder to sell! The one is cosmetically almost perfect, so the choice goes that way. It is the newer one from 1968, but restored by One Thing in 2010. Should be good for at least ten more years before another service will be in order!

ATB from George

Posted on: 26 February 2016 by cat345

George, I don't know if you have tried this in the past but a mono block Quad II would probably make a brilliant synergy with your ESL though I have no idea if it could beat half of a NAP100..

Posted on: 26 February 2016 by George F

Absolutely my aim if everything goes right!

Designed for each other!

It is not a question of beating a NAP 100, but they would be significantly different. The choice is then based on personal taste. I am moving “that” way!

ATB from George