Russian Tube Preamp, No Return, Here I go again

roxy54,

Yes, IF Robert Plant had lived in a basement all his life.

tablejockey

Good luck-no surprises and smoke when powered up.

I once fired up a vintage amp, ugg, wisp of smoke and smell. hurriedly unplugged it (it had no switch)

took the bottom off, a spider nest, big one got fried. That's the last time I was too lazy to view the innards first.

chakster,

thanks, he also said USPS. good tip about declared value.

mahgister

“Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever.”

― Aristophanes

mahgister

I thought they both said a variation of the same thing.

teo_audio

thanks for your advice, I often take stuff apart, just to see what sense of quality is apparent, I certainly will this time.

It shipped EMS this am, let's see how long it takes. Hopefully USPS will not hold it so long at the airport as they did with my Russian tonearm.

cleared Russian Customs easily, in transit since 3-1-21

diffin

I expect it to love Jazz, it certainly will when I finish breaking it.

fuzztone; desktopguy

thank you both for your humor.

Just yesterday I thought, hey, where are those L-Pads I ordered. I returned the Pots I ordered by mistake.

Checked, it would have been a long time, I left them in the cart, never ordered them.

stereo54,644 posts02-13-2021 7:12pm"I noticed they spelled Vacuum tubes as vacuuum tubes on the preamp".

Funny, I just got what you wrote, 'on the unit'. My mind thought/assumed 'in the text', and the USPS change grabbed my attention.

IF I had noticed that I would have passed it up. (how the heck did I, and many miss that?)

Sometimes/often, we see what we want to see, we hear what we want to hear.

lewm

thanks for the advice, details and price. I was just letting you know, the looks of that domestic one would have worked (in the shelves with my black Chase unit, not on top like the Russian will be).

In the 5th photo is shows a phono selector

I felt, but didn’t know that it was too high a price.

teo-audio

Who gave you the right to call me cheap?

hilde, that's funny

everyone,

I thought this would bring a great many laughs,

and was especially waiting for chackster and lewm who did not disappoint: more positive this time as they now know it's pointless to discourage me when I get the bug about something, and I am willing to take risks.

Forget, surprise when arrives, funny thought, actually that happens to me with things that arrive within a week, what is this????

...........................

The seller communicates very well.

It is already made, they just need to install the 120v transformer, then out to me. They have a 1 year guarantee. 

"New message from: raketoff (64)

In fact - of course - we provide warranty service and replacement. Only once there was a case when the buyer inserted the tubes into the wrong slots and burned the circuit board. We sent a new board and gave detailed instructions for replacement."

Fortunately, the problem only occurred once - as we thoroughly test the devices before shipping.

"New message from: raketoff (64)

We guarantee a year of support free of charge (included in the price of the product). Of course, if there is no severe mechanical damage :)

If suddenly a breakdown in the second year of work (I hope this does not happen!) - we will also provide support, but if it is necessary to send new boards (for example), we will ask you to pay postage. The minimum (with a small parcel weight) international mail rate is about $ 40 (there are simply no cheaper parcels). But we will decide there, depending on the breakdown (I repeat - I hope it will not be).

Now our devices are working in Singapore, Australia, Brazil, the USA - and of course - in Russia - there were no complaints. But we are ready for support and guarantees."

After I see it, I may buy a 2 year square trade warranty. I would never plan on sending it back to Russia. They send parts, I fix or get it fixed here.
.........................................

This thread has also brought some very interesting information and opinions, quite a range if you skim other's comments.

It was never about price, I started looking only for a tube phono.
I saw this, almost bought it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-DS-MM-MC-Tube-Phono-Preamplifier-Black/224349939634

But this one popped up, I realized my Reel to Reel would be fun thru tubes, so it turned into tube preamp, phono and 1 input enough. Now, I'll bring my 1958 Fisher 80Z Tube Mono Blocks out of semi-retirement, giving me two systems in mt office. An analog system phono/tape and a SS system for CD/Streaming via my computer to existing SS Carver Cube. That will keep the heat down, reduce tube life most of the time.

I'm looking forward to hearing those Russian Tubes. Curiously they say 'vintage' tubes:  "vintage 6N4P low-noise tubes (you can also use modern analogues 6072WA or 12AY7"

I like wood, like the end panels, they will blend right in with my office bookshelves. And the retro look, and to me, the innards look good. Modern remote volume will be nice as it will not be going thru my Chase Line Controller.

.........................................

chackster, I wrote the seller about EMS, will share his reply.

Once, while discussing furniture options with a client, CBS Data Center, I told a programmer, who was Asian, this option (the best functional choice) will take 12 weeks. All  the other programmers were horrified, chose the readily available option. He said "that is but a drop of time". I decided I would try to have Oriental Patience from then on.

I've ordered direct from China, Japan, Russia, Canada. I'm patient. When I saw the long delivery date I thought, no way; but like the Blackbird Tonearm, nothing else truly appealed to me.

My Chinese Integrated Amp, A88T is one of my most successful purchases, it sounds fab with zero noise. I bought it used, here in USA so delivery was quick.

My Russian Tonearm got to USA quickly, but sat dormant at USPS JFK airport for weeks, until my local PO contacted them, then right away.

JVC Plinth and TT81 from Canada was fast.

I just ordered cables and connectors direct from China thru Wish, they came sooner than promised, very high quality, amazing prices. 
......................................

thanks everyone for your thoughts, I will compare it to my beloved McIntosh mx110z downstairs first, then up to my office. Maybe Bill will get up here to listen with me. I/we will definitely let you know how it sounds.

Elliott

chackster

Yes - we ship by this method - EMS (Express Mail Service). Today we are testing the device. We plan to send it tomorrow.

surfmuz

thanks for the link.

this is the video about setting up my Blackbird arm

http://newartvinyl.ru/news/nastrojka_prjamogo_tonarma_na_12_djujmov/2018-06-09-11

Trying to decide, there were no reviews anywhere, I saw a video of an Audio Show, just like we used to have pre-covid days, that and a video of them making the tonearm helped me take the risk.

isochronism2,521 posts02-13-2021 8:58amI hope they're rushin' to get it to ya'

also funny,

in fact, it was done, just waiting to know what voltage transformer to install. testing today, ships tomorrow.

seller said: 

"is a circuit analogue of the famous M-7 preamplifier from Mr. Hiroyashi Kondo"

I paid no attention to that when ordering, but now, while waiting:

interview with Hiroyashi Kondo

https://www.stereophile.com/interviews/597kondo/index.html

his company carries on, the current M7 Preamp

https://www.audionote.co.jp/en/products/pre_amplifier/m7heritage.html

I'd hate to pay for that, I got the budget version

lewm,

you would think I had a choice of a lot of vintage stuff, but right now there is not much available,

https://www.ebay.com/sch/67807/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=tube+preamp&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1

I have 2 Fisher 500C tube receivers downstairs, I just don’t want something that big in here.

This actually started because I am giving a TT to a friend and it/she needs a phono stage, soooo, why not get tube phono for my office and give her my current one. Almost got a Pro-Ject Tube Box S2, that kind of established a budget,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-S2-Phono-Preamplifier-Black/392274169114?epid=28035808843...

 then I saw the Russian one, hmm, tubes for R2R also, what a good idea.

drease

Square Trade

because I made an offer, they accepted, eBay generated an invoice that didn’t offer the option.

I hadn’t noticed the option on the original listing, until I had already paid,

Sooo, it is up to me to buy a separate square trade warranty myself. I’m gonna open the preamp up first, have a good look, then test it, decide then.
...........................................

The plan of mice and man: (mostly Vintage). Everything revised since joining this forum.

One of these days I will take some photos and post them here.

Play it on small system as ricmci suggests:

1. shop/garage system: CD; Vintage Technics SL-J33 TT; Vintage Tandberg SS receiver; two vintage pairs of small speakers

and: to look for smoke as tablejockey joked about.

or, as I finally got aewarrens joke: see if it is Roland DARK SOUND!

2. Next in main system, sound shootout against my Vintage McIntosh tube tuner/preamp mx110z to my Chinese built Cayin tube amp to my oldest component: speakers with Electro-Voice drivers made in 1958. Vintage JVC Tt with 2 Vintage arms, and the new long Russian Blackbird, the source of this ’Russian Again" discussion.

3. Then upstairs to complete my happy office system:

a. Streaming/CD via computer

TT/R2R side by side on 3 shelf high bookcases (nice stand up operating height). This little preamp will sit on one side, an old RCA 45 player other side (for looks, never hooked it up).

b. Mitsubishi Vertical Turntable LT-5V (I traded Bill for my Fisher 800C)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-LT-5V-turntable-Calibration-and-Tune-up-service/292662721073?has...

c. Teac X2000r R2R used vertically for the first time, now wearing it’s Mickey Mouse Dust Cover

https://www.google.com/search?q=teac+x2000r+dust+cover&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS881US881&sxsrf=ALeKk0...

bring up my Vintage (also 1958) Fisher 80Z Mono Blocks (mine don't have cages or faceplates, they were concealed in original console)

https://reverb.com/item/18222527-fully-restored-pair-of-fisher-80az-monoblocks-30wpc-mono-power-amps...

Vintage B&W bookshelf speakers ear level, Vintage Velodyne Sub.

I installed a very quiet exhaust fan in the far corner of the ceiling that I use in the summer to pull the computer monitor’s heat out of here, it will now do some winter work I expect.

hmmm, maybe I’ll put the Mono Blocks on top, left and right of the TT/R2R: in sight, right above their speakers, heat starting from a height closer to the ceiling, move the new preamp into the shelves below.
..................................

"Yeah, that’s the ticket"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyp9fh-u4w8

just for fun while waiting I'm still peeking at tube phono preamps, 

this Muzixshare integrated amp looks a lot like my Cayin: construction/quality/features/25w triode/45w ultralinear power rating ...

AND it has built-in phono and headphone amp, meters, external bias control

https://www.ebay.com/itm/X7-KT88-Push-pull-tube-Integrated-amplifier-Phono-Preamp-Remote-45w-2/11375...

$1,600. delivered to USA

If I didn't have/love my mx110z's phono, and IF it had 16 ohm taps and IF it sounds like my Cayin, I would try it, perhaps then sell the Cayin.

a quickie search/find:

https://toptubeamplifier.com/muzishare-x7-tube-amp-review/

lewm

I think you missed my point, I don't like ANY of those currently available preamps, none too special, most ugly IMO (don't forget, I'm an Interior Designer), thus I could not have gotten the 'same' domestic product.

Once again, like the Russian tonearm, this one turned out to be the only currently available one that appealed to me, the one I couldn't forget about while searching for others. Not awesome looking, it just appeals to me.

Both my Fisher 500C's sound great, but, aside from extra height they are very deep, even deeper with input cables, they won't fit here.

This preamp will fit on the 14" deep bookcase top even with cables connected. If I make a cutout in the back of the bookcase for ventilation and cables, I can fit it on a 11-1/2" deep shelf.

It's always a mixture of considerations that lead to a decision.

chackster

cheap amp from Russia made with some Chinese parts by unknown guy.

cheap PREAMP

had this been listed at the time, what a tough choice

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MARCONI-MONO-BLOCKS-TUBE-AMPLIFIERS-STEREO-TUNER-PRE-AMP-4410/38381...

It has my beloved remote balance feature, nice feature for mono amps as well as individual tweaks of errant mixes.

gofishme2

My Cayin A88T integrated amp is made in China, first rate, sounds terrific. Politically I'm a 'One World' type.

thanks for the link, seems like he/they know what they are doing.

SP10 may sound good, but I would order his SP14 K1 with remote, assembled, probably go for the pricey mundorf caps.

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/SP14.htm

It has separate left/right gain, a nice feature when using mono blocks.

lewm

this one would have been a good domestic option if it was listed when I was looking

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Audible-Illusions-Modulus-Stereo-Tube-Preamplifier-classic-linestage-in-box...

the Russian 6N4P tube is not available here. they say no hum.

I asked seller for price of spare, but unfortunately he had already shipped the preamp, and he says EMS minimum cost is $40. if I buy just the tube.

Knowing that, IMO, they should include a spare.

They say substitute is 12AY7, while checking I see a lot of 'they hum' comments.

Some suggested use 12AV7, lower gain, less/no hum.

maybe I should buy half a dozen, sell some on eBay to offset the high shipping cost. I wonder how many people want 6n4p's?

Thoughts, ideas______?

teo-audio

Perhaps I should have added a smiley face.

I’m an Interior Designer, specializing in Corporate Office Space. After a client meeting, I came back to the office, told Betty the head of the Furniture and Decorating department: "The client want’s cheaper furniture". I can still see Betty’s eyelids flapping as she replied: "We don’t offer cheap furniture, I will find some ’less costly’ choices.

I love a bargain, sometimes the luck of a bargain is a big part of truly enjoying something each time I use it!

I make my own speaker cables to save money to be sure, but primarily because I would feel foolish if I didn’t, and I would deprive myself the accomplishment.

I paid a pro to replace the cones in my 15" woofer's, the first time. Next time, I risked doing it myself. Bingo, another accomplishment, and when my old Velodyne sub's surround rotted, I knew I could do with confidence.

teo-audio

I am sorry for my initial response, I forget everyone doesn't know my sense of humor, and also forget that English is not many member's primary language.

I just went thru the discussion and saw the 'cheap' was started by chackster, and he meant it.

Shipping Progress

• EE015444252RU

Date and time, Status of Item, Location
Feb 17, 2021 6:40 PMPosted249833
Feb 21, 2021 1:26 PMArrived at export officeMoskva
Feb 21, 2021 2:48 PMPresented to export customs and security130980
Feb 21, 2021 2:49 PM Released from export customs and security130980
Mar 1, 2021 12:52 AM Departed from export office

I might have made an offer for this if it was around when I chose the Russian one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Counterpoint-SA3-1-Tube-Analog-Audiophile-Preamp-Phono/154358866931?hash=it...

This Carver ain't tubes, but it would have looked nice with my Carver AM/FM Tuner and Carver Cube Amp

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-CARVER-C-1-Sonic-Holography-Preamplifier-w-BOX-Paperwork-NEAR-MINT-...

MM and MC inputs, lots to like

another awesome vintage preamp I might have bought if it was available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Luxman-CL35-MKIII-Tube-Preamp/303871182981

I wonder if 'taking a chance' on the Russian Tonearm and Russian Preamp was part of their appeal. i.e. IF this Luxman and the Russian were both available at the same time: the Russian is all I need for my office: 1 Phono and Tape. The Luxman is fully loaded, awesome with unique features.

The Russian had the lower price/bargain appeal, and had the risk factor, a positive rather than a negative. 

????

look at the price of this one, $399.or make offer

https://reverb.com/item/39398714-carver-c-1-sonic-holography-preamp-w-manual?utm_source=google&u...

If I wasn't waiting for my Russian Tube Preamp, I would go for the Luxman.

Marantz you say?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Free-Intl-Shipping-Vintage-Marantz-7-7c-Tube-Pre-Amplifier-with-TFK-12AX7s/...

I am not drawn to the Marantz like I am to the Luxman.

this guy has the nerve to call this near mint, A+, text worn off faceplate, case is nasty, connectors corroded. and the price???

https://www.ebay.com/itm/McIntosh-C11-Tube-PreAmplifier-Original-C20-C22-era-AUDIOPHILE-SERVICED/274...

Why didn’t they mount the horizontal row of tubes above the connectors?

the luxman has the tubes high with better ventilation, I like it more every day!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Luxman-CL35-MKIII-Tube-Preamp/303871182981

Bill,

Nice to see you here. I am going tubes, I only posted the Carver for others, and my comment was about how it would match my other Carvers, the SS Cube Amp, and the SS AM/FM Tuner. All unreadable grey, absolutely horrible if not mounted standing eye high. Bright as he is, ... especially for the aging baby boomers, whose eyes diminish with their ears.

Both the Russian Preamp and the Luxman Preamp are shallow, only 10-5/8 or 10-7/8 + cables behind, knobs in front. Both work on top of my Bookcase 13-3/4" depth + 1/1/2" clear behind to jamb the plug end of a wire down behind. I could fit either inside the 11-1/2" case with right angle cables, Many full depth units won’t fit on top, certainly not within the case. Thar’s why I am not using my Fisher 500C.

Carver is usually compact (hard to stack), I was curious as to the size of the Carver, perhaps use the 3 pieces for my shop/garage (Goodbye Tandberg TR80).

I found the manual which surprisingly says nothing about size, but a heck of a lot of other interesting stuff I will read sometime. He’s a fascinating dude.

file:///C:/Users/ellio/Downloads/Carver-C-1-Owners-Manual.pdf

I just found a listing that said: 19" wide; 10" deep; 3-1/2" high.

I lost my mind, I just made an offer for the Luxman, let's see what happens.

lewm,

I'm holding out

"Elliot,
Thanks for the interest in my preamp. It really is a Nice tube preamp. I love the vintage (pre-Alpine) Luxman equipment and have so for the past 40+ years.

To be honest, I have just over $1600 in it. Between eBay and PayPal the fees they charge add up to about 13% which be around $200.
So the cheapest I could sell it for is $1800."

I agree removing cases on many tube units, however:

That design has all the tubes mounted in a row out of the back, similar to that McIntosh, except, Luxman wisely put the row of tubes up high, above the in/out cables. It’s got a decent vented grille, no way I would remove that Rosewood case which is a major draw for me.

lewm,

Thanks for the tip about frequency of availability.

I like that Rosewood Case, a big part of it’s appeal. If I buy it, and truly like the sound of it's phono, I may use it in my main system with lots of similar colored wood and the Rosewood Speakers. The JVC decks like mine were stained with a red coloration, highly grained, but not Rosewood veneer, but they appear so at first glance.

It's interesting to try and show how I think, and see how others think and approach things, funny 'here I go again' being the point of this discussion in the first place. 

I look every morning for tube preamps, 'newly listed', it's fun for me, however, it's becoming expensive.

Interior Designer, not Decorator! I am more like an un-licensed Architect.

Mine rotted, I replaced the surround, it sounds very nice here in my office.

let's see what this McIntosh mx110z 'for parts' goes for. They have gotten more expensive over the past year, my timing was lucky.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/McIntosh-MX110-Z-Tube-Tuner-Preamp-One-Owner-Original-mx110z-preamplifier/2...

At the right price, I would have the seller ship it right to the restore shop. 

NewArtVinyl has produced much more marketing info since I took a risk and bought the Blackbird 12.5" arm.

Here's their video showing setup of my arm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYVJn2_u9Z0

their home page

http://newartvinyl.ru/

roxy54

IF it sounds good, yes, a fun quirk,

but if I knew, that doesn't give a lot of confidence. They say they have units all over the world. They have had time to notice themselves.

I wanted vintage, small, tubes,

but, this SS caught my attention. 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa99gf-marantz-sc-7-solid-state

loaded with features (except auto-loudness for low volume listening). see front and back.

the built-in mc variable loading a big draw, and I like my L-Pads, for speakers with no adjustments, the 3 band tone control should perk or tame for any space live or dead. see bypass ye purists!

Nada, Nyet, Nope. It will be a nice surprise.

Meanwhile, I decided to try and find a reasonably priced CD player that is audibly superior to my existing Sony.

Found and bought an Oppo BDP-83SE (special audio edition). Sadly, the laser mechanism was shot, 'unknown disc' .. Evidently a common problem. I just dropped it off yesterday pre-paid return shipping for full refund when received.

Been looking at:

Oppo UDP-205 (dual processors)

Onkyo C-7000R (dual processors)

*my first player was Onkyo DX-7500, dual matched burr brown processors, wonderful but got so drawer wouldn't open. I now realize I should have had it fixed, but it annoyed me (I couldn't fix it myself) and was very large. 

Pioneer UDP-LX500, interesting audio options.

Denon DCD-800NE

Sony UBP-X1100ES
.......................................

CD/SACD, 2 channel only: suggestions: good/avoid????????????????

lewm, thanks for your advice,

I checked out the 105, some very good reviews, in my budget.

I don't need the Darbee version which was a video upgrade.

One thing I like about the BDP-105 is that replacement lasers are readily available.

One thing I don't like about the BDP-105 is that there are MANY people selling replacement lasers.

I've got my eye on two, both original owners, excellent condition. Let's see what answers they can give me about how much work the laser has done.
........................................

roxy54

Reviewers seem to disagree with you, as well as lewm.

I had an early Oppo, used only for video. Read somewhere that it had well respected sound.  My Onkyo DX-7500 was still my CD player then.  For fun, moved the Oppo into the sound system, it sounded very good. I gave it to my golden eared friend, he still loves it.

I got a more video advanced blu-ray player, now using it for CD's in the garage sound system. Small HT, went fully cooperating sony tv/avr/blu-ray, 1 remote talks to all.