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Reel to reel deck directly to power amp ?

Thinking about my totally new future system. The main source is going to be reel to reel deck, most likely Otari two track, possibly Studer A810. I will keep the turntable and run the phono thru deck. So I will need only one input, decks have volume control and preamp. I don't think I will need separate preamp. Do you ?
Power amps could be both transistor and tube, maybe even hybrids - Lamm, as an example, would very much depend on speakers. Don't know what speakers, could be as different as Harbeth and Kharma.
inna

Showing 3 responses by clio09

clio09
3,372 posts
 
I have several amps here. Atma-Sphere M60s, Music Reference OTL and RM-10, Electra-Fidelity A3-500, Acoustat servos. Give me a bit of time, I will try it on the existing set up first with the Acoustat servos. If that doesn't work I'll swap in my box speakers and try the other amps.
clio09
3,372 posts
 
Next step could be asking Ralph to custom make playback head tube preamp or maybe playback head/phono stage unit, and match it precisely to his amps, and match the amps to speakers. Now that would be high end.

I have an Atma-Sphere MP-3 that has switchable RIAA and IEC (15ips) EQ settings. While the linestage has the standard gain, Ralph has mentioned a number of times that this can be configured as a unity gain tube buffered output. Seems like this would meet your needs. I have used mine for a number of years now with the transport section of an Otari MX-5050, the signal taken directly off the tape heads. I also have the pro-sumer version of the deck that has the integrated preamp circuit with volume control. I can’t recall if I ever ran that directly into an amp, but guess I can check and report back here if anyone is interested.
clio09
3,372 posts
 
@kalali - 33 1/3 minutes. I actually always thought that was a bit amusing given that is the speed at which most LPs are played.
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