Spatial Audio Raven Preamp

Thanks for the review, phono2024! Always good to hear compatibility reports as well, much appreciated.

Although Don and I optimized the Raven and Blackbird to deliver their best performance with each other, we went to considerable trouble to make sure they add sonic value to other systems, too. For the Raven, this means optimal performance when matched with classical push-pull pentode amps and modern transistor amps.

Both RCA and XLR outputs offer equal sonic quality, since the only difference are the ratio of the output taps on the output transformer. The circuitry is exactly the same for both outputs, using a direct straight-through path from input to output. There are no "add-ons" like phase inverters to create the minus phase of the XLR output, no cathode followers, no dynamic loads, no current mirrors, no op-amps, nor DC servo circuits. The custom-design transformers solve all these problems at a stroke.

What you hear are point-to-point wires, triode vacuum tubes in a balanced Class A circuit, and studio-quality transformers. Nothing else. There are no coupling caps, no feedback, and no secondary signal paths in the circuit, just straight through from input to output.

The Caladan a nice speaker and great value!  It is 93 dB and 4 ohm.  That means you can use most any amp you like of 10 watts or so.  I built a little pair of 45 monos and a pair of 6C4C (the Russian 6B4G) monos.  Both were push pull and clipped at about 6 W.  They easily drove my 95 dB 8 ohm open baffles to screaming levels.   So a properly designed low power tube amp would easily drive the Caladans for most folks.   The 300b monos are 24 watts and represent essentially unlimited power into that sort of speaker.  The 300b amps are spendy.  But there are plenty of good quality tube amps under $5000 that I think would be a sonic revelation compared to what you are listening to.  My 2 cents.   It might be a road worth exploring.  Especially if you have a friend with a decent tube amp who would bring it over...  XLR inputs would be best, but rca inputs are fine with the Raven.  Then you would know if a tube amp would sound more pleasing to you.

Hello Lynn and Don,

Thank you very much for your work on the Raven (and the Blackbirds). I wish am better with words.

I went down this path of upgrading my toys, initially from a laptop, Schiit Modi 2 DAC, Yamaha CA410 amp and a pair of bookshelf speakers to this present set up. The upgrades were very satisfying, with very good improvements initially. As I move up the chain, the improvement was subtle (law of diminishing returns) but there was sonic refinement with each upgrade. This hobby has no end to upgrades - just to let you know.

The Raven is truly a refinement. It sounded different and I like the sound. I would love the Raven to pair with the Blackbirds (I believe there would be synergy between the two) but I have to find the space to place it in the set up. And also to take turns at the Luxury Budget Committee and the approval from the chairwoman. Sigh. But yeah, it is a joy to listen to the Raven, set up and the Caladans.

Cheers

ghdprentice,

Thank you.