[Lost81]

Anyone ever compared the TLP Nirvana with the GLK?

I am curious...

Thanks.

-Lost81

[Malcolm Fear]

I built a TLP.
I then built a GK-1, using the same DACT stepped attenuator and the same valve(s).
They are two very different animals. The TLP is akin to a good motorcycle. The GK-1 is like a good sportscar. You can improve each of them, but you would end up with a very good motorcycle and a very good sportscar.
The GK-1 has it all over the TLP in height and dynamics. It is also a lot better in soundstage and overall imaging.

I recently rebuilt the TLP to sell to a friend. It is still a very nice pre amp.

[kyrill]

Ahgrr..
that is bad news for me..

Following 3 dacs each for each stereo pair  in a certain frequency band (low. mid highs, active crossovers) I need 3 preamps!!  3 tlp's are within a reasonable price range
3 GK 1 will be costly and somehow weird: One stereo setup and 3 preamps !

[PSP]

Hi Kyrill,
If it's any consolation, let me assure you that the TLP is an excellent preamp.  IMO the TLP clearly outperforms the ET Foreplay (the only "good" preamp that I've directly compared) with lower noise floor, better imaging, more transparency, better highs and bass.  It is also very much more involving... when you read while listening to music, how often do you put down your book because the music has seduced you away from the page???? The more often that happens, IMO the better the sound/music (it could also be a bad book, I guess   ).

I like my TLP +AKSA 55n so much that I spend way too much time listening to music and not enough time building the GK-1R on my workbench.  I am sure, absolutely sure, that the GK1 will significantly better the TLP... but, the music is so good in my house right now that it's hard to get motivated and fire up the soldering iron.

Because I have listened to the TLP for well over a year (maybe two) I will be very well-placed to comment on the differences--- when I finally get the GK-1 built.

Good luck,
Peter

[SamL]

I built a TLP.
I then built a GK-1, using the same DACT stepped attenuator and the same valve(s).
They are two very different animals. The TLP is akin to a good motorcycle. The GK-1 is like a good sportscar. You can improve each of them, but you would end up with a very good motorcycle and a very good sportscar.
The GK-1 has it all over the TLP in height and dynamics. It is also a lot better in soundstage and overall imaging.

I recently rebuilt the TLP to sell to a friend. It is still a very nice pre amp.

Hi Malcolm,
Did you have a chance to compare TLP to just using the DACT attenuator as passive preamp?

Sam

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi Sam
Yes, I used to use a DACT as a passive. I then built the TLP, using the DACT for volume. The TLP had better bass, more dynamics and was more involving. I tried the DACT passive against the GK-1. I could never go back to a DACT as a passive.
Having said that, JohnR has a passive, forced into shunt mode (or faked
shunt mode), using a Riken Ohm resistor as the shunt. This sounded very good. I forced my DACT in the GK-1 into shunt mode, using a Riken Ohm. It is probably the biggest improvement I have made to my GK-1. Perhaps the DACT is not all it is cracked up to be. It would be nice to stick a Goldpoint into the GK-1.

Regards

[DSK]

I like my TLP +AKSA 55n so much that I spend way too much time listening to music and not enough time building the GK-1R on my workbench. I am sure, absolutely sure, that the GK1 will significantly better the TLP... but, the music is so good in my house right now that it's hard to get motivated and fire up the soldering iron.

I understand completely. But when you finally get the GK-1 into your system, you are going to repeatedly bang your head against the nearest brick wall, while muttering "Why the hell didn't I do this sooner!".      

[Lost81]

Ah...
Well, if and when I build a GK-1 I will be putting the power transformers in an outboard unit. I don't think the drop in voltage will be significant as the cable will be 2 feet long at most. I will expect it to be similiar to my TLP / N set-up.

-Lost81