Preamplifier for Nilai500DIY

[db&light]

Hi,
after listening to the Rega Elex MK4, the Moon 250i V2 and the Nilai500DIY, I bought the Nilai kit. I'm happy with what I get when feeding it directly with my steamer+ DAC, but I need a good preamplifier because my main source is a turntable (Heybrook TT2 + Rega Aria).

I had a good deal on a Rogue RP-1 and bought it. After using it for a few weeks and wapping different 12au7 tubes (NOS and new production), I feel that I need a preamplifier more neutral, particularly for the top end. I want a premplifier who will let the Nilai shine

My budget is arround $1000 CAD and my actual list is :

Topping PRE90D
Topping A90D
Topping A70 Pro
Schiit Saga 2
Shiit Kara F

I read a lot of review, but it's hard to know which one will anser my need.

Any recommandation or suggestion would be more then welcome !

Daniel

 

[DVDdoug]

I feel that I need a preamplifier more neutral, particularly for the top end. I want a premplifier whi will let the Nilai shine

If there is a "weakness" in a phono preamp, it's usually noise (hum or hiss in the background). All active analog electronics generates SOME noise, and the high gain amplifies any noise along with the signal. But if it's worse than the record noise you've got real problems.

The RIAA equalization may also be imperfect, but the record is usually the weak link, then the cartridge in combination with the capacitance load on the cartridge. The capacitance comes from the internal turntable wiring, the wiring to the preamp, and the preamp itself. There is an optimum capacitance, usually included in the cartridge specs. i.e. You shouldn't try to minimize the capacitance.

IMO - The best "solution" is simply tone controls or EQ.

Most line-level preamps should be audibly perfect ("transparent") although a badly made tube preamp MAY have some distortion. Noise should be super-low compared to the signal, and inaudible. Frequency response is usually flat and there should be no audible distortion unless it's over-driven. (Usually preamps aren't over-driven... It usually only happens when you try to get 110W out of a 100W amplifier, etc.

There is no advantage to 1950's technology... Unless you like a tube amp with distortion. They don't all have distortion.... Then you'll have to find one that has distortion you happen like or maybe swap tubes, IF that makes any difference. Of course, a good tube amp is transparent just like a good solid state amp. And a GOOD tube amp will stay in-spec as long as the tube stays-in spec. Transistors, MOSFETs and ICs vary too but the equipment is designed to work properly as long as the parts aren't faulty.

...I gave-up the hopeless quest for vinyl perfection when I got my 1st CD player... And I gave-up playing records a few years later when all my records were replaced with CDs.

 

[Svend P]

All amplifiers and pre-amplifiers sound the same. As long as they have linear frequency response and distortion and noise below audible levels(which 99% does), you can't tell them apart in a blind test.

 

[ahofer]

Maybe just a phono stage and a switch?

 

[boXem]

Maybe just a phono stage and a switch?

I guess that there are two schools of thought on the matter, but some of us like changing the volume.
More seriously for OP, the A70 pro has higher input impedance than the other Topping, which is a plus.

 

[ahofer]

I guess that there are two schools of thought on the matter, but some of us like changing the volume.
More seriously for OP, the A70 pro has higher input impedance than the other Topping, which is a plus.

lol. Was thinking of the Alva Duo.

 

[Roland68]

Hi,
after listening to the Rega Elex MK4, the Moon 250i V2 and the Nilai500DIY, I bought the Nilai kit. I'm happy with what I get when feeding it directly with my steamer+ DAC, but I need a good preamplifier because my main source is a turntable (Heybrook TT2 + Rega Aria).

I had a good deal on a Rogue RP-1 and bought it. After using it for a few weeks and wapping different 12au7 tubes (NOS and new production), I feel that I need a preamplifier more neutral, particularly for the top end. I want a premplifier who will let the Nilai shine

My budget is arround $1000 CAD and my actual list is :

Topping PRE90D
Topping A90D
Topping A70 Pro
Schiit Saga 2
Shiit Kara F

I read a lot of review, but it's hard to know which one will anser my need.

Any recommandation or suggestion would be more then welcome !

Daniel

If you only need the preamp for the turntable, I'd recommend using a good ADC and connecting the Aria to the DAC. It makes more sense than buying an expensive preamp that doesn't improve the analog signal.

The Fosi P4 has also been extremely well-reviewed, and not just for the price.

 

[Salt]

Waxwing

 

[ahofer]

If you only need the preamp for the turntable, I'd recommend using a good ADC and connecting the Aria to the DAC. It makes more sense than buying an expensive preamp that doesn't improve the analog signal.

The Fosi P4 has also been extremely well-reviewed, and not just for the price.

Even though @Blumlein 88 showed us how transparent several ADC-DAC loops can be, this is one of those things I can't quite bring myself to do, even if a separate EQ loop, etc., might be useful. However irrational, it doesn't feel...parsimonious.

 

[Roland68]

Even though @Blumlein 88 showed us how transparent several ADC-DAC loops can be, this is one of those things I can't quite bring myself to do, even if a separate EQ loop, etc., might be useful. However irrational, it doesn't feel...parsimonious.

It took me a while to free myself from such preconceptions. Especially because I started with audio at a time when analog technology clearly preceded digital technology.

The analog signal path is always lossy.
For many friends and acquaintances, the turntable or tape recorder is the last analog device they own. Of course, reserving a preamp for that is a bit of an exaggeration. In addition, most of the preamps, especially the expensive ones, do not even come close to current inexpensive DACs and ADCs in terms of measurement technology, e.g. miniDSP PocketADC and E1DA Cosmos ADC.

Everyone had reservations, and after a (usually blinded) test, each had to admit that it was by no means inferior.
Meanwhile, over 20 of my friends and acquaintances have already switched to an ADC instead of a preamp, and I also have preamps sitting unconnected on a storage shelf.
A few also switched to the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE as their control center, thus eliminating the analog phono preamplifier.

It really clicked for me 2.5 years ago with the Sabaj A30a. Completely digital from front to back, with no analog path, no DAC, and no frills. Just an analog input that converts directly to digital.
Several people came by with pre/power amplifier combos in the four- to five-figure range, all expecting to blow away a cheap Chinese Class D digital amplifier for €500. In most cases, the A30a ended up either tied or winning, and there were long faces.

 

[db&light]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

 

[db&light]

I guess that there are two schools of thought on the matter, but some of us like changing the volume.
More seriously for OP, the A70 pro has higher input impedance than the other Topping, which is a plus.

Thanks for your answer, the A70 Pro is now on the top of my list. I will sale the PR-1 and order the A70. Most peoples buy it for the headphone amplifier, but for me it's a bonus as my primary need is a preamplifier with two input, a volume control (old school) and one output.