Concert Fidelity CF-080 LSX2 Hybrid Line Stage Preamplifier?

[joeinid]

Any opinion on this preamp and brand? Any reviews that I've read have been spectacular.


http://www.concertfidelity.jp/reference_series.html

[audio.bill]

Joe - I've also only heard raves about the sonic performance of Concert Fidelity gear and it appears to be nicely built. However one word of caution would be regarding their resale value which is unusually low. I've seen their products listed on the usual sites for used gear, and they're repeatedly re-listed at unbelievably low prices and they still rarely seem to sell. That could be an issue unless you're certain you'll be keeping it for a while (no offense but I had to chuckle at that knowing you! ) If you're not averse to buying used gear you should be able to buy it strong and then not be concerned about a significant loss in resale value.

[Shadowfax]

Nice looking. Wouldn't it sound better tho if they dropped a tube in the empty socket?

[joeinid]

Ha! I know.

I was looking around and saw some of the past for sale ads. I do like active preamps but am looking around to really see what is available.

[joeinid]

There's a couple sticking out of the back too.

Nice looking. Wouldn't it sound better tho if they dropped a tube in the empty socket?

[Shadowfax]

Ah, you can roll without opening the box, not a bad idea.

[Elberoth]

True about the resale. I have helped to sell demo Concert Fidelity CF-080 LSX2, phono and those big monos, and sold it eventually for 1/3 of retail. I can only imagine a few years old, S/H stuff is worth even less. But if you buy at a very discounted price (meaning someone else took the hit) ... why not.

The monos were sh!t, but the preamp and phono were rather good.

[joeinid]

I feel terrible that resale is awful. Not for me, but owners and even the company. For some reason, some gear never really takes off and maintains a healthy status going forward.

True about the resale. I have helped to sell demo Concert Fidelity CF-080 LSX2, phono and those big monos, and sold it eventually for 1/3 of retail. I can only imagine a few years old, S/H stuff is worth even less. But if you buy at a very discounted price (meaning someone else took the hit) ... why not.

The monos were sh!t, but the preamp and phono were rather good.

[johni b]

hi joe, i have a concert fidelity cf-080 ls and it sounds great. i traded my cary slp-05 for it and it was a better match with my hegel h30 and sounded a lot smoother but still dynamic. it was used and i'm not planning on selling it so resale isn't a big deal for me. the rest of my system consists of linn lp 12, linn radikal p.s.,linn uphorik phono stage, hegel h30 amp and gamut L7 speakers. the cf-080 was the missing piece that brought my system to the next level. john

[joeinid]

Hi John,

Thank you so much. I am so glad you are happy with it. I have a friend who wants to lend me his to try. I am seriously thinking of taking him up on the offer. I am curious how well it will go with my Triode Corp 845 amps.

hi joe, i have a concert fidelity cf-080 ls and it sounds great. i traded my cary slp-05 for it and it was a better match with my hegel h30 and sounded a lot smoother but still dynamic. it was used and i'm not planning on selling it so resale isn't a big deal for me. the rest of my system consists of linn lp 12, linn radikal p.s.,linn uphorik phono stage, hegel h30 amp and gamut L7 speakers. the cf-080 was the missing piece that brought my system to the next level. john

[Jack]

Joe

At the 6 db setting in theory it should be a match.

[joeinid]

Awesome.

XLR to RCA adapters came today, I'll give them a try tonight on the Ayre and let you know how it sounds on the Triodes. Can't wait.

Joe

At the 6 db setting in theory it should be a match.

[Jack]

Sounds good. Also good luck resolving the "clicking" issue with the other piece. Hopefully just the two particular pieces together or break-in of the resistors in the control.

[joeinid]

So far, after only a few minutes, the KXR20 is working beautifully with the adapters. Dead silent on its own and no clicking other than the usual internal relays of the preamp. Very happy. The other piece is definitely quirky.

Sounds good. Also good luck resolving the "clicking" issue with the other piece. Hopefully just the two particular pieces together or break-in of the resistors in the control.

[Jack]

Another swap out on it? Though no problems if the BHK is run balanced with the Ayre mono's or when the Triode's were connected with the faux balanced connection?

[joeinid]

I'll still need to try a few more combos to try and narrow down the issues.

Another swap out on it? Though no problems if the BHK is run balanced with the Ayre mono's or when the Triode's were connected with the faux balanced connection?

[Jack]

Good luck and take notes. Though maybe a happy compromise is then you will have two systems that are tube/SS combo's which I have found can be a good thing. That is if the BHK and Ayre combo works. If you are a member you might want to start a thread on the PS forum and see if anybody else has run into the same issue. Chances are at some point Bascom or Paul will chime in.

[joeinid]

Pretty great reviews:


http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/concert-fidelity-cf-080lsx2-line-preamplifier/


http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue41/concert_fidelity.htm


http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us


http://enjoythemusic.com/THE_Show_Ne...elity_Maxonic/

[Elberoth]

I'm surprised the preamp already costs $24k in retail. There was one recently listed on Agon for $4k:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tu...42-meridian-id

[joeinid]

That's insane.

[Elberoth]

At $4k, I think it is a good buy.

I have sold the Concert Fidelity SPA4C MC ($14k in retail) for $3300. And that was a mint demo. Someone got a sweet deal.

[audio.bill]

That's insane.

I agree, and that's exactly why I previously mentioned it as a major consideration if buying new!

[kzhtoo]

So far, after only a few minutes, the KXR20 is working beautifully with the adapters. Dead silent on its own and no clicking other than the usual internal relays of the preamp. Very happy. The other piece is definitely quirky.

Joe, you've got the KXR20? Wow.

[joeinid]

Absolutely love it.

Joe, you've got the KXR20? Wow.

[kzhtoo]

Absolutely love it.

I bet. Congrats, Joe. It's a destination preamp.

[joeinid]

Thank you so much. It really is a destination.

I bet. Congrats, Joe. It's a destination preamp.

[johni b]

hi joe, just wondering if you gave the concert fidelity cf-080 lsx2 a listening to? if you did i would like to hear your thought on how it sounded to you and how it compared to other preamp you have listened to. i really like mine but i have only compared it to a couple of preamps. thanks, john.

[joeinid]

Hi John,

I have not. I plan on talking to another friend next week re: the preamp. What really bothers me is how low the value drops after purchase. As much as I promise myself that I plan on keeping something, for no other reason than wanting to try something else, I move on. So unless I find a used one, the new investment will be a deal killer.

Between my KXR-20 and PS Audio BHK preamp, I am all set really. The Ayre is superb and the BHK outstanding. So much gear swimming through my head.

hi joe, just wondering if you gave the concert fidelity cf-080 lsx2 a listening to? if you did i would like to hear your thought on how it sounded to you and how it compared to other preamp you have listened to. i really like mine but i have only compared it to a couple of preamps. thanks, john.

[johni b]

i agree joe, i would never buy one new it just sounded like you were borrowing one for a listen. if you are ever in niagara falls canada you are welcome to come by my place and listen to mine. john

[joeinid]

Thank you so much.

Actually, I am still thinking about trying one. I am afraid that if I get hooked, I'll be in trouble.

i agree joe, i would never buy one new it just sounded like you were borrowing one for a listen. if you are ever in niagara falls canada you are welcome to come by my place and listen to mine. john

[MarinJim]

I have had my CF-080LX for over 6 years. The only thing I have changed are the tubes for rolling.

[mep]

There are no real specifications from the link you posted, but I assume this preamp inverts phase. Also, I'm not personally wild about having a pair of tubes sticking out the backside of my preamp/line stage. Plenty of air inside the box, but I assume the main circuit board is mounted on the back of the preamp chassis and they chose to mount the line stage tubes out the back of the preamp. I don't know if this was a gimmick or a necessity. The internal tube is mounted on the power supply board and it is a rectifier tube.

[MarinJim]

No gimmick for tube location. Shortest path is sometimes the best.

[bebop86]

Joe- Did you ever try the preamp from CF and if so what did you think??

[joeinid]

I never did try the CF preamp. What scared me a little was seeing the high retail price and then seeing them sell at ridiculously low prices on the used market. I was never able to get one quickly enough before they sold, and I wasn’t keen on paying retail so I gave up.

i have a few great preamps now that I love. My fever has broken

I have no doubt that the CF is awesome and am sorry I missed a few great opportunities.