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Preamplifiers

Deco Bespoke Passive pre

   

Under our ‘Bespoke Modifications’ service we also make special products to order. Recently we have had increasing demand for simple passive pre amplifiers and so have decided to feature them here. The beauty with this is there’s no standard product - you choose the exact specification, from the housing used, through to the components used.

The average entry level build costs in the region of £200, but we don’t scrimp on the quality - parts often include an aluminium extruded case, silver plated socketry, our level one silver wiring and quality potentiometer. A cheaper ABS boxed version with a more basic potentiometer could also be made for an even lower cost if required. More deluxe versions with higher grade potentiometers or switched attenuators and our level two cotton covered silver wiring can cost in the region of £400-£600 depending upon exact specification.

For more information on costings please contact us with details including the number of inputs required, details of the system it will be used with and we will design a unique passive to your requirements.  

Audion Select 1.0

The Select 1.0 is a new passive pre amplifier from Audion that offers a very attractive and affordable way to control multiple sources. It is housed in a cut down version of the Premier chassis and naturally features the same aluminium and stainless construction materials. The classic Alps Blue Velvet is the volume pot is used and it’s combined with input switching for 5 line level inputs via the front mounted toggle switches. As shown in the picture below there are two pre amp outputs as well as a ‘Tape’ output which can be used to feed a recorder or headphone amplifier, so it also offers great flexibility when required (a little care with the impedances of connected items may be required if all the outputs are wired simultaneously, as a passive design means the source has to drive them all, but we can advise on this on an individual basis).

As you’d expect with a good passive pre amplifier the sound is open and natural, in fact it’s remarkably transparent for a product at this price level with no added grain to get in the way of the music. What’s more the absence of noise generating active devices means that it’s silent even when combined with very sensitive power amps and speakers.   

Audion Select 1.0 passive pre amplifier: £569.00

Croft Acoustics Micro 25

The Micro 25 follows is the latest in long line of classic Croft pre amplifiers. This is the second model up in the range and is hard wired, hand made in the UK and unfussy in both appearance and usage. The Micro 25 uses three ECC83 valves for the line level stage and the MM phono input and has a auto mute on switch on that allows the valves to warm up for a few seconds before being fully operational (the LED changes from red to green to show when it’s ready to go).

I’ve long been a fan of Glenn Croft’s products and this latest range looks like it’ll be no exception - once I’ve completed running it in I will update this page, but even fresh out of the box it has all the Croft sonic hall marks that anyone familiar with their previous models will recognise - it has a great sense of rightness with an earthy, natural quality that lacks neither excitement or refinement.

A version with a single volume control in place of the dual mono controls are also available, please click here for pictures

Croft Acoustics Micro 25L Line level pre amplifier: £600

Croft Acoustics Micro 25 Line level & MM phono pre amplifier: £820

   

Croft Micro 25 version "R" Pre-amplifier

 

The Micro 25 “R” (R for Regulated) has a very substantial power supply, utilising two mains transformers supplying a regulated HT power supply with an 85A2 voltage stabilising valve - which is the main change over the standard 25 pre amplifier. The line level stage and MM phono stage version uses a total of five ECC83 dual triodes. As is normal with items featuring stiffly regulated power supplies there is a more forcefully potent and controlled presentation available than the standard 25.

A version with a single volume control in place of the dual mono controls are also available, please click here for pictures

Croft Acoustics Micro 25RL Line level pre amplifier: £1,100

Croft Acoustics Micro 25R Line level & MM phono pre amplifier: £1,500

Audion Premier pre amplifier

  

The Audion Premier is valve pre amplifier that is available in two versions, a line level only model and a MM phono equipped version (as pictured here). Both versions features 6 inputs, have two outputs and a ground lift switch to ensure hum free operation in many different systems. The valves used are the Sovtek 6H23 (a 6922 equivalent) and the amplifier has a wonderfully open and transparent sound.

Audion Premier Line: £1,799

Audion Premier Line, with remote control volume: £2,178

Audion Premier MM Phono and line:  £2,349

Audion Premier MM Phono and line, with remote control volume:  £2,728

Croft Acoustics Micro 25RS

New top of the range Croft pre amplifier. Over the ‘R’ version featured above, the ‘RS’ adds an improved line output stage (which naturally benefits the phono stage which also passes through it), improved components/socketry and HT regulators. It’s split into two of the standard Croft chassis with the power supply separated from the audio stages and to allow sufficient room for all of the components (including the substantially over rated 550va transformer). More details to follow.

A version with a single volume control in place of the dual mono controls are also available, please click here for pictures

Croft Acoustics Micro 25RSL Line level pre amplifier: £2,200.

Croft Acoustics Micro 25RS Line Level and MM phono pre amplifier: £3,000.

Silvercore Pre 324

The Silvercore Pre 324 is a TVC (Transformer Volume Control) where all the wiring, including the transformers themselves, is done with 99.99% pure silver. The 324 features larger transformer and 24 steps of volume control. It features 3 inputs (they can be either Balanced XLR, single ended phono or a combination of both) and XLR or single ended phono outputs. Internally the signal has short signal paths and the dual mono nature of the twin volume pots gives great channel seperation.

The frame of the enclosure is made from a choice of either Delrin (a white acrylic like material) or Zebrano wood (as shown here), with top, bottom and rear panels being made of laser cut polished stainless steel.

This is an exceptionally transparent pre amplifier, with a level of resolution that is quite disarming. It displays the delicacy and subtlety that only the best silver wire can reveal. If this makes it sound like it is overly analytical or polite then I have mislead you, for it has a substance and tonality that is completely believable. This is a remarkable pre amplifier, and is highly recommended for any high resolution system.

Silvercore Preamp 324 in Delrin: £4,120

Silvercore Preamp 324 in Zebrano wood: £4,370

Audio Note M3

The M3 uses a choke smoother valve rectified power supply and 5687 valves driving HiB double C-core copper output transformers. It produces an effortless sound with a wonderfully deep and spacious sound stage. Available with silver or black acrylic fascia.

Audio Note M3 Line level pre amplifier: £POA at manufacturers request

Audio Note M3 Phono & Line level pre amplifier : £POA at manufacturers request

The Bespoke Audio Company TVC Preamplifier

The Bespoke Audio Company may be a new name on the hifi scene, but the founders of the company, Harry and Lucy, have had many years of experience developing and building transformer volume control pre amplifiers.

Their ethos is refreshingly different, not only is their attention to detail, fit and finish bordering on the obsessive, but they aim to offer a unique buying experience that lifts this from just being another piece of (exquisite) hifi to something that is as personal to you as a tailored suit.

Almost every part can be customised to your needs, from the connections and features through to the cosmetics - there is no such thing as ‘off the shelf’ at the Bespoke Audio Company. There are too many options to detail here, but if you can imagine it, then chances are The Bespoke Audio Co will be able to make it a reality.

Arriving in a serious flight case, packed with a personalised manual, it’s somewhat larger (and much heavier) than the images might suggest, almost completely filling a standard sized hi-fi shelf. Internally there are two large multi tapped transformers that are the heart of the pre amplifier, these provide 46 steps of volume control, almost twice the number featured on the majority of other TVC pre amplifiers. The transformers are wound on custom made bobbins, featuring oversized cores enabling colossal overload margins (30 volts - well above the level any pre amplifier will ever experience, meaning there is no chance of dynamics killing saturation ever occurring). All internal wiring is cotton covered copper or silver (depending upon the version) which is carefully hand laced together into beautiful looms - I can’t remember the last time I saw that being done!

The example pictured here has 3 unbalanced inputs (via gold WBT Nextgen sockets), 3 balanced inputs and both balanced and unbalanced outputs - but naturally any combination of connectors can be supplied. Please click on pictures for larger versions.

The volume control is motorised and remote controlled, yet it does so quietly and smoothly, and without spoiling the excellent feel of the control when used manually. Hidden underneath is switching for lifting the ground if required (they are also hidden on the internal views, look for the two semi circular pieces towards the rear of the chassis).

We have compared the Bespoke pre amplifiers to many much more expensive pre amplifiers, but to date, this is the only one that stands out as being truly reference grade. As ever with a very good TVC it’s almost impossible to describe the sound - which appears to have so little intrusion on the music that it’s close to being ‘inaudible’.

Except of course it isn’t, and nothing ever can be, but rather than defining the presentation or tonality, it’s what it reveals that others miss out on that defines the sound of this pre amplifier. Great transparency is a given, but there’s also a delicate touch, and a layering to the presentation which keeps individual sounds well placed and separate, both in terms of their tonal identity as well as their physical space in the sound stage. There’s a naturalness and effortlessness too, no doubt in part due to the cotton covered wiring, with no fear of the sound ever becoming hard or aggressive.

Speed and dynamics are incredibly impressive, making almost every other pre amplifier sound thick and muted. As for the differences between the cotton and silver versions - well I’d simply say that the usual improvements are noted with the silver, there’s a delicacy, speed, and tonal correctness that it has that makes it worth every penny over the copper version if you can afford it - it really is one of those products that you shouldn’t audition if it’s over budget, for you will forever know what you’re missing out. In isolation, you would never criticise the copper version for these failings, as it already excels here anyway, but it just goes to show what it possible when taken to extremes.

In summary this is an incredibly well evolved product for a new company, and one that should set the benchmark both for sonic's as well as the whole buying experience - I can't remember the last time I saw such a complete product from a new firm, with everything from packaging, paperwork and product being presented so beautifully. To see what happens when you commission a Bespoke pre amplifier please click here.

Dimensions: Height 110mm, Width 305mm,Depth 345mm

Weight: 14kg

Finish: completely customisable, seemingly limited only by your imagination

Price: from circa £15,000 with copper wiring and £21,665 with Silver wiring

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