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Tube Research Labs Latest Dude Preamp

For those members following a recently closed thread about my TRL wows, I have an update. The manufacturer has contacted me and offered to replace my first generation unit with their latest and greatest unit free of charge. I spoke with Paul today and we have agreed on a framework to get this done.

This is an extremely generous gesture as the new model is radically different and more expensive then the generation it’s replacing. We had an interesting conversation about the new units fully balanced design that Paul feels will be a much better fit for my particular needs.

I was not expecting anything like this. They really have stepped up in a big way. Keep you all posted on the situation and hope to have some specifics on the new architecture and features soon.
cdente

Showing 8 responses by grannyring

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Agear is spot on to call Paul about those tubes and the bias. Yo2tup, did you just get your Dude or have you been a Dude owner for a longer time?
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I got my new Dude today and boy was it ever worth the wait, Wow and Wow again! Mine is RED in color and weights some 75 pounds! Shallco 45 step volume control and a transformer that weights some 14 pounds!

Mine has 2 - 6sn7's per side to better drive my 20K input impedance 600 watt/channel amp and Soundlab M1 speakers. The build quality is simply awesome. Looking inside the unit simply has me in awe. The sheer massive nature of the unit, layout, and build quality are most impressive.

The power supply in this thing puts most power amps to shame. After only 6 hours I am spellbound from the sound. Music is once again in my home!

This Dude is finest piece of audio gear I have ever owned or heard in my 35+ years of audiophiledom.

Once the unit run about two more weeks I will write a more complete review.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Pictures of my new Dude.

http://s1020.photobucket.com/albums/af324/grannyring/TRL%20Dude%20preamp/
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
I would call Paul for some as I don't want to share his circuit and secrets for all to see. I will let Paul make that call as I want to respect him and his work.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Nice pics Dracule1 and a wonderful sounding unit. These Dudes are very special!
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Only Paul can answer that for you. He does lots of custom stuff with the Dude but I have not seen one with remote.

Ask him. He feels they degrade sound, but I have heard him talk about a separate outboard motor etc to power a remote. Not sure if he has ever made one this way however.

Mine sounds so good I would walk into another room to change volume if I had to:-)
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Dracule 1

Paul's designed a 45 step volume control made by Shallco that sounds better then any remote based volume. It really does and if sound is #1, then a remote is still not the best option for sound.

If a remote is a must, then find the best one/preamp you can and that will be fine for you also.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Charlie,

I have also found the same exact improvements with my new Dude in terms of sound. It betters the old Dude in clarity, transparency and it is also dead quite. Love it.

I am glad you like your new preamp and thanks for posting.
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