Thoughts / Suggestions on Pre-amps

[jriggy]

Hi Marty,

i also have a Terminator DAC, going into a Wells Audio Innamorata Signature amp... i was wondering what you think of your Hattor passive??
I need to introduce my system to the gang around here —my new speakers that this forum assisted with and an interesting new preamp...but I’m also very interested in owning a passive along side, for a certain type of music and type of listening I do..

[Randy Myers]

Hi Marty,

i also have a Terminator DAC, going into a Wells Audio Innamorata Signature amp... i was wondering what you think of your Hattor passive??
I need to introduce my system to the gang around here —my new speakers that this forum assisted with and an interesting new preamp...but I’m also very interested in owning a passive along side, for a certain type of music and type of listening I do..

I was wondering what speakers you ended up going with?

I was also considering the Hattor preamplifier. It looks like a very nice piece. Obviously, from this thread you know that I ended up going with the Schiit Freya. While the Hattor looked good I decided on the additional flexibility of the Schiit, and I did have a little hesitation about a pure passive preamp.

What I have come to realize is that the passive mode on the Freya works very well, but it does not seem to match up with every amplifier. I am in the unique position of having three distinctly different amplifiers in my system. The passive mode seemed to work very well with the T+A amplifier but it does not do nearly as well with the Audio Mirror SET amplifiers. However the tube stage works perfectly with the SET.

I also believe the the FET solid state buffer works well and in most situations is preferred to the pure passive. Only with the T+A amp did the passive mode shine. Of course, as always, your millage may vary.

[jriggy]

Hi Randy,
id like to tell in the proper thread...but it rhymes with Smarbeth

im not surprised that your passive does not sound best with all amps you have on hand. As I’m sure you know, it’s an impedance machine thing.

I hope ti hear what Marty thinks of his Hattor. It’s the Hattor or Tortuga for me, I suppose.

[Randy Myers]

Nice, and I do not believe there is any issues discussing off topic things in a thread so long as it is not taken over ...

I hope the passive works out well for you. I wish I had the opportunity of being able to directly compare various units, but having no dealers around it becomes pretty much impossible. I would love to try out a Hattor; it just seems like a good unit!

[rah50]

Randy:

Any report on the Black Treasure CV-181-Z tubes yet?

[Randy Myers]

I am very impressed with the tubes. I think a bit more neutral sounding then the CBS and Sylvania's that I have compared them against (both of which I really like). Certainly more robust, especially in the bottom end. A very inviting sounding tube which I feel has opened up the SET amps even more. It is like another layer of a veil has been lifted and definitely more air around the instruments. I certainly understand why Vlad recommended them for his Audio Mirror amplifiers!

Be aware that they are a bit larger. The ceramic base is a bit over sized and does not allow the tube to seat flush on the amplifier (case bolts get slightly in the way). Vlad told me this is not an issue at all. The tubes plug in plenty far enough . Also, because of the size they cannot be inserted into the Freya. The case housing is too small for the Black Treasures ceramic base to fit through.