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.
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mahgister
“Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever.”
― Aristophanes
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Just get a little Monoprice small hybrid integrated. It's a nice little amp, very clean. Tube front end. Sounds nice for an office. |
All the anti Russian sentiment is based on the demographic who haunt this place. You’ll find the same people in the China=bad camp as well.
Its so predictable its funny. Einstein make an error when he said that stupidity is infinite... It is not, stupidity is predictable like the 4 seasons in some countries. like the monsoon in another...Stupidity is a recursive tedious self repeating process giving the false appearence of the infinite.... The repetitive motives of hate has not changed from Eden and Cain to this day.... I apologize for my post, i take this occasion to correct Einstein, it is not often that i can do it.... 😁 |
All the anti Russian sentiment is based on the demographic who haunt this place. You'll find the same people in the China=bad camp as well.
Its so predictable its funny. |
@ mijostyn
definitely not bad! Great flexibility with spec options. Should be very good sounding monoblocks. |
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 |
... probably business climate is just not right there, or government priorities is in another universe:) Absolutely! Right |
@ chakster. You right, It is stupid to say there is no audiophile scene in Russia and nobody tried to say that. High End shows festivals, stores and shops does exist in Moscow and few other sites, but equipment production sector is extremely narrow there, it’s almost nothing compared to what we have here in US or Europe, Japan. However tech guys from Russia does play big role in world industry (BAT, Lamm Industries etc...) probably business climate is just not right there, or government priorities is in another universe:) |
My statement stands as written. Why the difference between the two countries is probably explained in your post. I have had some bad experiences with merchandise coming from Canada into the US. In one case, my turntable was delivered to someone in Iowa. (I live in Maryland.) The remedy for that was to send it back to Canada and THEN to me. One Canadian who wanted to buy something from me (the opposite direction of shipping) asked me to send it to an address in North Dakota. He planned to drive across the border to pick it up, rather than to endure the customs delays (and worse, damage sometimes).
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@ lewm
"In support of what Chak says about expedited shipping, I have purchased various capacitors from Russian vendors on eBay. The shipping time is very short, sometimes as little as 4-5 days. Much faster than buying from Canada, most of the time. I stopped using one Canadian parts supplier because customs was so slow."...............
Its actually your countries customs that delays parcels from delivery.
NOT the country shipped from. That works both ways. From your country to here in Canada , then it’s Canada customs who delays its release for delivering.... sometimes it sails right through after a quick check.....other times not so much....their is a human element to it....literally luck of the draw of how/when package is cleared....
The best experience I have always had is with Royal mail out of Britain to Canada post for delivery.
The US/Canada border...crap shoot and sometimes the bs "brokerage" and other various charges we get burnt for from the brown shirts....
In any event....I hope the OP gets his purchase quickly and it exceeds his expectations. ...
Cheers |
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Elliot, I'm sure you'll be fine. But the argument regarding size puzzles me. It would seem that those domestic vintage pieces on the eBay page you cited would be about the same size as the unit you are buying. Just saying. A 500C chassis is larger, I grant you that. But it's all in one and darn nice sounding if properly refurbished.
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I’ve purchased, maybe about five times from Russia, and they all worked well. They were all small items -- cartridges and tubes. Haven’t purchased any big items like amp or preamps from Russia, even though I purchased quite a few gears from China, including amps and preamps. All amps/preamps I purchased from China were OK. The best was Jungson JA-99C and JA-1 amp/preamp.
There were also quite a few scams from China -- a few from eBay purchase and many from Facebook ads.
I got all refunds from eBay scam, but not from Facebook ads even though I paid with PayPal. What happened was, I purchased a few bicycle related items (shoes, pedals, clothes, ...) from Facebook ads and what I received were random junk items (water bottle, stainless whisky flask, ...) or no items at all. I ignored them as junk mails, but they were actual items sent from the sender. To get reimbursed I had to return those items back to China. Shipping cost was almost half as the amount I paid for. If I did not return the item, PayPal would not have refunded me. Now, I don’t purchase anything from Facebook ads if they are sold from China.
Hope you enjoy the Russian gear.
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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=1I 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. |
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. |
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. |
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Send me, please, your email and I will offer You tube preamp with 4 inputs and tone controls. |
@lewm , The USPS use to to a great job but right now they are seriously screwed up. A package meant for us in Atkinson, NH wound up in new Orleans and sat there for a month! Packages now are routinely 4-5 days late. In all probability foreign services may be better right now.
@elliottbnewcombjr, you really need to shorten your user name. Good luck with it. For $500 you can't go wrong. If it doesn't light right up just poor some vodka into it, probably homesick. |
roxy54,
Yes, IF Robert Plant had lived in a basement all his life. |
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chackster
Yes - we ship by this method - EMS (Express Mail Service). Today we are testing the device. We plan to send it tomorrow.
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Too bad it was all in Russian...nice system. The guy looks like Robert Plant. |
The real thing from Russia is Storm JSL-100 monoblocks. |
It could be stupid to say there is no audiophile scene in Russia.
This scene is huge all over the country, Moscow is just the biggest city.
You can find all the rarest analog audio gear locally, the only problem is the price. For foreigner buyers another problem is language barrier, for this reason very interesting gear available mostly on local sources. People collect serious vintage high-end gear and this is mostly import from Japan, Europe or USA. All the stuff imported in the past 15 years, before 2004 it was impossible, not only because of the payment methods (paypal was unavailable in Russia), but also because of the internet. In the Soviet days it was simply impossible, you can’t imagine how rare was VCR all the way til the 90’s, you could have it only if your father is a diplomat or a big boss in communist party (or some criminal), especially in the mid 80’s. Basic hi-fi import appeared on the market (for everyone) in the early 90’s after the crash of the USSR, but it was overpriced stuff like VCR, TV, double cassette decks, boomboxes etc.
DIY scene now is huge too, not everyone can afford import, for this reason secondhand audio gear is very popular.
On the other hand we have so many High-End shops and distributors of all the modern high-end stuff for insane prices, but this is for another category of people (they don’t count money).
P.S. I think most of the local dealers on ebay are honest, they know their stuff and you can’t cheat people on ebay with paypal payments (it’s simply impossible). The problem is idiots and they are everywere (wolrdwide), last year a dealer from France tried to rip me off for neatly 2500 EUR, but paypal penetrated him very well and refund my money within a month, it wasn't ebay deal, but paypla always protect buyers from scammers.
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“If you want Russian get Lamm from Vladimir.” That’s pretty funny. Lamm from Vlad costs 20X or more than what E is buying. Also, I have looked inside a Lamm phono stage. While they are nicely laid out, and there is nothing unsavory about it, the parts quality is what I would call good but not mind blowing for the amount of money you are spending. And the chassis’ are nothing to write home about. This is not at all to claim that Lamm phono stages are not excellent in sound quality.. Bling is overrated. |
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However real professional audio gear guys does exist in Russia. I saw top notch hand made amps based on 805 power tube (Wavac clones) made and sold there and the price range was around $50K. Look at this Russian audiophile... he build his house starting with concrete basement as listening room and everything else was built on top of it:))))
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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/224349939634But 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 |
Top trend in Russia this days- ordering assembly kits from China by mail for extremely cheap then just put it together on own knees :) |
Is this supposed to be a working unit? It appears to me that the line out’s don’t have any leads going to them.
All the best.
JD |
I was looking at the toroidal transformer for some wiring information. Hoping for good news. Noticed: Boy, that one tube is really close to the transformer. And behind the transformer are the output jacks. Also very closely mounted. Here's my head scratcher. Must be technology I'm not familiar. How does the signal get from the output board to the output jacks? |
I'm unsure about the meaning of "The power supply is linear, designed for the primary voltage 220V, frequency 50Hz Perhaps under the order another voltage", mentioned twice - does that mean you had the option of requesting another voltage? Well, if it works out, great; if not, you're only out at the most $550. As with most Chinese goods, if it breaks you have to fix it yourself or throw it away.
Don't say anything important around it - it might be listening (and might be sharing information with Siri and Alexa). |
Looks like something Stereophile would have fawned over back in the 90s. That's not an insult; I own an a Audible Illusions tube pre from that era and won't part with it. I love that "low production" look.
Hope the gamble pays off. Let us know!
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If you want Russian get Lamm from Vladimir. That thing looks like crap, there is electricity involved, be careful.
In all my dealings throughout the world, including Russia and China and Japan, I have never had a single problem. Most people are good. |
Reading the information in the Link, the Pre appears to be a Clone based around a Kondo Design.
Whether the Kondo and this Design Purchased are anything like each other in SQ might not be discovered.
The Info on the Phonostage is quite limited, so that if used will have to be a suck it and see affair.
As for Retro Japanese, the designs usually lean towards a richness in a presentation.
If not controlled it can have a Weighty Bass to Overwhelming Bass Bloom, either of these present, can produce a Subdued Mid and High.
Looking at the 6N23P EV these types are known to not over emphasize the Frequencies when assessing for SQ.
The user reports are that these Tubes are usually performing as very well balanced throughout the frequencies.
Maybe (an assumption) the Pre's Builder has chose to use Tubes that are going to be a little more lean and balanced in their presentation,
resulting in offering a tighter Bass Note that will be a little more transparent.
I'm sure the reports on usage will reveal the SQ of the Pre'.
If Tube Rolling is off interest, the 6N23P and 6N23P EV are a little different and are not direct swaps.
I discovered this as I was looking to extend a Tube Roll on a Phonostage to 6N23P Tubes vs 6922 and E88CC. |
I bought a Conrad Johnson tube amp from a guy in central Russia. Took it 1 week to make it west to the Norwegian border. It took 3 more weeks to make it to my doorstep. The guy did an expert job packing it. Not even the separately packed tubes had a scratch on them. $475.
So, there’s hope!
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I concur with the earlier post about there being no such thing as “no returns” on eBay no matter what the seller’s policy says. eBay is very buyer focused with potections. The say that they have Seller Protection. But that is a load of cr@p. If you change you mind on this Russian amp, take a look at any number of quality tube amps made in China. I just bought a 300B tube Chinese amp on Amazon. Got it with Prime shipping in 2-3 days. I couldn’t be happier. Plus if I didn’t like they would likely have me drop it off at my local Kohl’s. Oh, and that amp with tax cost me $800. |
Uh, for the money, It looks well worth the gamble. Nice find. |
High Gm tubes like 5687 and 6922 types are “goofball”? |
Reasonable gamble for a relatively low price. Only advice I have is I would not hook directly into your main system right away. If you have some spar components that you don't care about then feed into them first and see how it goes. |
Order one from China next time, just to mix it up a little. |
Why do you wish for 12AU, T, or X7s?
They are popular, simple, the goof ball valves are NEVER a good choice for a build, just a cheap way. 50 cent valves in surplus Russia.. LOL
I know exactly why they used them.. They can!!
They are not the only ones to use TV tubes to build stuff.. 6NS7 very popular NOW, sure wasn't 25 years ago..
WHY, surplus and cost.. they use to be dirt cheap, surplus.. Carys favorite valve..
Regards |
The question I would ask is,"Is it from the ROLAND DARK Sound Laboratory or the Roland DARK SOUND LABORATORY?" |
US Priority Mail has long been the best bargain available. I hope they don’t screw it up. |
I noticed they spelled Vacuum tubes as vacuuum tubes on the preamp. That would make me pause. I hope you get it quickly and it sounds good. Today the USPS stated they are planning to do away with 2 day delivery on Priority Mail, the price to Mail anything is going way up and your daily Mail will arrive much slower. I don’t know why the president doesn’t get rid of the Postmaster General, as he is a leftover from the previous Admin. Until Congress repeals the law that the USPS has to have the pension money fully paid up for the next years in advance (no other company has to do this),, the postal service will lose money. They lost 7 billion in 2020. |
From everything I've read there's quite a thriving hifi scene in Russia and Moscow in particular. The preamp looks solidly built and given the relatively low price and positive feedback it seems like a reasonable gamble. I hope it gets to you soon and you post some impressions @elliotbnewcombjr
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