levinsje

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from NYSound.com

Summary:
First I agree 100% with the first two reviews.
Other than my field coil drivers in open baffle and turntable this is the most significant improvement I have made to my system.
I am blown away at the improvment across the frequency spectrum.
Incredible value for the dollar.
The preamp is connected to 7 watt per channel Welborne Terraplane 300B monoblocks and the added gain is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Strengths:
*More pronounced and natural highs.
*Mids have a stronger presence with a better "you are there" effect.
*Lows are more intense but still natural.
*Greatly improved dynamics and imaging.
*Beautiful unit with excellent point to point build quality.
*Giant transformers made in Japan.
*More than enough gain.
*Weighs 50 lbs!

Weaknesses:
*Huge unit: Footprint may not work with some systems.
*On/off action a bit loud.
*Volume action and quality could be better.
*Need to replace tubes (all except 2A3C immediately).
*Not as quiet as my battery powered Welborne Ultrapath but not really an issue for me. I needed to use a cheater plug to eliminate a small hum.

Similar Products Used:
Welborne Ultrapath BC preamp
Welborne Terraplane 300B monoblocks
Supravox 315-EXC field coil drivers in open baffle
Hawthorne Augie 15" woofers in open baffle

surferandy

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Cattylink

Summary:
Without doubt a giant killer. Friends with $10k tube pre amps go very quiet when the Ming is up to heat and strutting its stuff. Tube rolled to reduce hum with matched 6922 from the Tubestore in Canada - which they sent to Auckland, New Zealand (my home) with no fuss.
Funny, no mainstream reviews - is it a conspiracy - can something be too cheap, or too good?

Strengths:
Not a syrupy tube sound, but extreemly natural and transparent.
Works with any amp - I use a 100w solid state Quad, but will shift to SET tube when funds allow.
Capable of going up sereral levels as it was not embarrassed by $15k tube monoblocks - borrowed and sadly returned.

Weaknesses:
22 kg!!!!! And BIG. So not rack friendly. Although the unit is so visually stunning it does deserve its own setting.
No balance control was a worry, but does not seem to be a problem in use, although I would prefer to have one.

swangens

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $993.00 from New York Sound (NYso

Summary:
Without doubt the best tube (or solid state) preamplifier I have ever heard! Initally somewhat skeptical because of the relatively low price and Chinese origin. What a pleasant surprise to hear such a glorious , energetic, effortless, truly natural sound- - unlike other tube preamps I have listened to. Not muddy or "overly tubey", but very lifelike without coloration. There are nine vacuum tubes, including (2) 2A3's, (1) EL34, (3) 6SN7's, and (3)6922's. Has point to point wiring and high build quality -- and more than adequate gain.Weighs 47 lbs. Comes with a remote with volume control and muting. Overall, a fantastic value for the nominal price.

Strengths:
Sound quality!! I am a tube afficionado for the most part, but many use a tube preamplifier with a solid state amplifier, i.e. Pass Labs. My amplifiers are 300B monobloc's with about 7-8 watt output each. Also use efficient vintage Tannoy speakers. Low price.

Weaknesses:
Size and weight could be problem for some.

Similar Products Used:
Arthur Loesch tube pre-amp with phono
Welborne Reveille pre-amp
Welborne Ultrapath pre-amp