Electronic Tonalities Foreplay Preamplifiers

Electronic Tonalities Foreplay Preamplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

Foreplay is a build it yourself kit. It's a line stage with dual mono volume controls, three pairs of inputs and a single pair of outputs.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 22  
[Jun 20, 2003]
Nathan
AudioPhile

Strength:

great value, descent sound, endless tweeks

Weakness:

It is a noisy ugly little thing that lacks refinement.

If you can read and follow directions, you can build this preamp. For the price, you get great support and a nice sounding little preamp. I bought mine used, added the snubbers mod, changed the pots to shunt mode, and upgraded to audiocaps. If I were to build it from the ground up I would use better parts (connectors, wire, tube sockets, etc...). There is an audible hum that I could not get rid of, and overall the thing looks terribly ugly. But it sounds incredibly good. The sound is front and center, fast, sharp and detailed. It dose shrink the soundstage between the speakers, and the bass is totally enemic. I also noticed a slightly forward upper mid-range. This made the music tilted a bit forward and upward in the freq. range. Dose the foreplay compare to costly 'audiophile' preamps costing lots more...NO. The CJ and ARC preamps I have are certainly more refined, there is really no comparison. But for 150 bucks for the kit, you get an incredible sounding preamp. I have not done all the mods, but I don't doubt they increase its performance. In the right system, this thing will sound way better than a 150 preamp should. You can tweak it to best fit your system too. I think you can do better on the used market for around $500, but there are a lot of preamps in this price range that will stuggle to keep up with the foreplay. I am guessing it will work best for a low powered set amp in stock form as I needed to pad down the output too much for my ss amp. In the right system I think this thing could be incredibly good. A good set amp, some high efficient speakers, descent cd player, and the foreplay should make for a nice little system. For the price you can't afford not to build one!

Similar Products Used:

ARC LS-1 CJ PV12AL ADCOM GTP 350 Mccormack DNA0.5 Rev Mod B B & k st 140 Cal audio dac/transport Ellis 1801 speakers

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 03, 2003]
cloreen
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

detail natural sound cost upgradeable service

Weakness:

at this price..ARE YOU KIDDING?

Fancying a new challenge in life and recently experiencing first hand 'tube audio' i stumbled across this pre amp by accident one day surfing the web. ordered - 6 weeks later delivered - 1 week later (or 4 hours of work) its working.... ....3 words...simple, startling, special. this spanks the monkeys out of the NAD pre amp on my 370. Sure the bass is not as 'sudden' but detail, clarity, warmth and vocals.....and guitars, drums....everything...stunning. The bass can be improved with one simple retro fit kit for 75$ called the anticipation....im yet to do this as im currently very happy with this kit...as one reviewer stated..."if this was the only pre amp i could have...i would be a happy man"...i concur. if i had to pay 3/4 times this i would not be upset.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 25, 2003]
Mike
Audio Enthusiast

Hmm. The Foreplay is cheap, yes, but not so cheap after you've bought the various gear and supplies needed to make it. If you're unlikely to use them again, this adds up. Yes, the design is simple but mistakes are still easy to make. Such as a short amid the many crowded wires and poof. Mine has hum which I cannot locate. In any case, I bought another pre (Audio Note) which to my ears sounds better (but costs plenty more). There are a growing number of budget tube preamps and amps out there. I won't name any because you'll think I'm shilling for another manufacturer. My basic point is that if you are trying to save money and really have no taste or experience with DIY, I'd consider shopping elsewhere. That said, Bottlehead's service is superb, the price is cheap and the sound is good. I'm not complaining, just cautioning.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 29, 2003]
Bob
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Spectacular bargain, with infinite upgrade path (both in complexity and cost). Simple design equals pure sound.

Weakness:

Appearance: low WAF due to exposed tubes, wires, interconnects, etc. But you hide it in a box, or behind a curtain ... worth it for the sound.

Superb product. If you have the patience to take a soldering iron, etc. in hand for a few satisfying hours, awesome sound awaits you. But, there is a period of 'shake out' due to cold soldered joints? or just missing a direction in the great instructions (you have to be near-blind). I have had numerous receivers, integrated amps, and preamps over the years, and none compare: nearest is a pristine Dyna PAS2 I have, but still the Foreplay excels at: razor sharp imaging, vocals (oh that's what that lyric is!), bass (clear and sharp), and silky highs. Be aware that the output is standard to other tube amps, and may need tweaking to mate to a solid state amp, but by the time you finish building, and go to the numerous websites that support this gift to audiophiles everywhere, YOU can do it. Smile! Great intro to tube sound, building it yourself brings satisfaction and bragging rights. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Dyna PAS2

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 11, 2002]
TC Koh
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Simple assembly, sounds very open, airy and the bass is tight and well define.

Weakness:

Does not come with 220V power input, I have to use a step-down tranformer. Lack of refinement as compared with established products.

First time thinkering with DIY kits, the instruction was extremely user friendly, it took me three evening approximately twelve hours to complete the assembly. However, due to the unsatisfactory soldering works (my first experience), it did not pass the first test. I have Managed to get help from friends for some monior re-soldering and finally got everything fixed up. Fired up the Foreplay with Musical Fidelity Typhoons (one to each channel), and I was impressed with the sound. It sounds very open and the bass is tighter than my MF Preamp. The only thing that could be improved is the refinement, as compared with my MF Preamp which is more musical, which I hope it could be achieve through the upgrade kits. In any case, I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone who is looking for the first DIY kit, it is simple and easy to put together, at the price which I think is extremely good value for money and sound in way above it worth. I will keep it as my reserve unit.

Similar Products Used:

MF Preamp/Typhoon, Matisse Atom.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 31, 2002]
tnich1
AudioPhile

Strength:

Impressive sound for the price. Fun to construct.

Weakness:

WAF lacking.

This is a stock foreplay except for upgrading the output caps. I have to say that this little thing is impressive. Threw in some rca cleartops and wow! Soundstage wide and deep. The walls dissappeared and I was swimming in the music. Can't wait to try some of the many mods on the bottlehead forum. Doc B has a great product here and great support to go with it. If you are looking for a amazing sounding preamp for a low price, go for it, you won't be disappointed.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 06, 2002]
audiowkstatiom
AudioPhile

Strength:

Simple, sound awesome

Weakness:

Folks cannot undersand that a 300 dollar component can wax some rerally expensive boutique electronics, and it looks like a shoebox.

Their has much "ado" about the foreplay from Electronic tonalities. In respect to the various post,situations, and comments about this "99 Dollar Wonder", I felt compelled to try one myself. I Have owned various preamplifiers in the past. Audio research, Dynaco,Presicion Fidelity, McIntosh, Heathkit, Scott, Marantz, Carver, NAD, Yamaha, ...well you get the idea. Each one with it's own unique sound, and features. Electronic Tonalities is a company that is currently offering "kits" for amplifiers, Preamp, speakers, wire, upgrades, and a forum for support. "Doc Bottlehead" and his staff are not in it to make a killing, just to offer their hard work and dedication, in form of examples, with well thoughtout instructions, so the average "Joe" can get interested in building and enjoying electronics. Some Kits are advanced, but the foreplay is considered a "level 1" kit, for novice builders. The construction of the unit requires proper tools, (outlined in the Building manual)a few other spare parts...Like wire and such. The unit has an Optional "base" avalible for finishing. Construction (with a neat, tidy work area) took approx. 5 to 6 hours, and was rather routine. Testing the components took an additional 30 Min.and then it is time to fire it up. Operation is quite simple. One power switch, a separate left/right gain, and input selection for 3 "line level" inputs. After 2 to 3 hours listening, I knew their was something special about this little unit. To me the sound is rock solid, no noise, wide clean soundstage, and no hint of distress, or distortion. Quite simply the unit completely outclasses the Dynaco PAS2. After 50 hours of continuious use, I came back to it to indulge myself...since the unit has been breaking in....rather nicely. To my dismay, I had no signal. I disconnected the unit, and found a small problem attribuited to the power transformer. "Doc" has these especially made for this kit, and this particular "run" of transformers, had a small problem with internal connection. I emailed "Bottlehead" and due to stock, Mr. B, red labled me a new Trannie. You cannot beat service like this. I did not have to lift a finger, and the next morning, the new part. We both are glad that the stock situation allowed this. During installation of the new transformer, I desided to try one of the Modifications to the unit called a "snubber

Similar Products Used:

SSL Console, Audio Research SP15.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 19, 2002]
hages1
AudioPhile

Strength:

Superbly simplistic. This preamp is so approachable by beginner DIY hifi'ers that they will always have fun tweaking and listening.

Weakness:

None

Terrific little preamp. It's ugly in MHO but since it is a DIY kit it can look however you can imagine if you choose a custom box. How does it sound? I have tried several mods but not the Constant Current one which supposedly adds a lot. I have several tubes and variations and several output caps. At first I used the stock output caps: sounded like the caps looked: cheap. I replaced them with some 2.0uF Solen FastCaps. Tried to figure out why my treble was crappy; turned out to be the Solens. I added a variety of smaller Sprauge and GE poly caps in parallel with the Solens. The results put the Foreplay in a category few other preamps I know of are in: top shelf. I have heard systems costing around $100k that have no way of justifying their cost compared to this little gem. I built my own speakers and sub, highly modified two vintage amps (Eico 3150 solid state, decoupled preamp, all new caps, new ground bus, three wire power cord, Dale resistors, and a Stromberg Carlson 220 6v6 stereo amp, again with the preamp decoupled and replaced with input jacks for the Foreplay) and built this Preamp. After 3 years of tuning my system I would embarass my systems costing >$10k.

Similar Products Used:

Dynaco PAS III, NAD 7140 pair bridged, Passive preamp, Van Alstine Omega III preamp

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 05, 2002]
Daniel Laurin
AudioPhile

Strength:

Tube warmth and clarity. Coherence, musicality

Weakness:

none at the price

I purchased the Foreplay preamp second hand. It has the Anticipation upgrade as well as magnet wire and silver solder all around. The person who built it also put in a home-made detachable power cord, fitted it with Auricaps and provided a magnet wire (ala Gizmo) interconnect. Quite a nice setup actually. I use the foreplay between my Rotel CD player and Decware Zen-B. This is feeding a pair of Fostex Buschorns (FE108S) that I recently built. The drivers are still breaking in but have started to sound pretty good. With the Foreplay in the system, everything seems to gel just a bit more. The sound is more solid, bass seems to go deeper and nuances come out a tad clearer than with the ZEN used on its own. It is overall a little more laid-back and the Fostex delivers a little more in terms of ooommph and attack (very hifyish terms here ;^). What the Foreplay does take away is some of the airiness of the Zen. The soundstage seems smaller. The Zen has this ability to recreate space like nothing else. With the foreplay, I am reminded that my listening room is only 11 X 14. Some of the immediacy of the Zen is also absent from the combo. I think I will start tweaking the Foreplay to try to squeeze that last ounce out of it. I do think that for this preamp to really shine, you need to drop the cheapy volume pods, selector switch and upgrade parts here and there. But overall, this is one helluvah preamp for the money. In terms of transparency, timbre, delicacy, and overall musicality, it literally trounces the Mark-Levinson ML-12 that I tried in my system just before the Foreplay. If you are looking for a natural, open sound, this is it. I've had quite a few so called Hi-end preamps in my system before, and the Foreplay is one of the very few that really pass the test. Thumbs up to a great design, and dirt-cheap to boot!

Similar Products Used:

Many high end solid state preamps.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 05, 2000]
Stan Krajewski
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Elegant and simple design.

Weakness:

No Tone controls?

This pre-amp was easy to assemble (great step by step booklet) or you can purchase it assmbled for an additional small fee. Don't let the price fool you, this thing delivers.
When I plugged this into a standard Dynaco ST70 I was floored. Lots of detail and a huge soundstage (I'll spare you the rest of the cliches). Running the Dynaco with the pre-amp of the CD player or inserting the PAS2 leave no doubt as to what this pre-amp brings to the table.
I plan on bringing this to an audiophiles home to compare it to a $2500.00 pre-amp. When I do this I will post the results here.
At the time of this writing this pre-amp costs $99.00 + shipping. Electronic Tonalities also offer a $75.00 upgrade which I have purchased but not installed.
What a pleasure it is to see such high quality at such a low price. People like this have brought the fun back into the audio world and made "high end" available to a much larger percent of the population.

Similar Products Used:

PAS 2

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 22  

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