Selling my remote controlled Aikido tube preamp. I built another identical one so this one is available for sale.
Description:
Selling Aikido tube preamp that I had built for myself and was using for 8 months. This preamp is a result of extensive listening tests, sourcing of various audiophile components.
Power supply: after trying various regulated HV power supplies, including Janus, shunt regulated, CCS, I decided to use choke filtered power supply as it is presents the lowest DCR power source, and that translates in excellent micro dynamics and level of detail of the sound. Custom Edcor low DCR dual primary transformer was used. CLCRC filter is composed of Nichicon 47uf C1, 10H 100ma Hammond choke, Nichicon 150uf C2, parallel Vishay precision power resistors (for ultra low noise), and final 4.7uf film cap.
6N1P and 6N6P tube pairs were selected for their excellent linearity, low noise, low output impedance (6N6P), and low cost. The tubes are biased for higher current to achieve lowest distortion and highest linearity. Operating points (plate voltage, current) were selected after extensive testing and audition.
AC tube heaters, referenced at 1/4 B+
Kiwame precision carbon film resistors used in tube cathodes for their excellent tonal quality, Allen Bradley carbon comp non-inductive resistors used as grid stoppers, precision Dale resistors were used in the rest of the circuitry.
Coupling capacitors are Russian PIO K40Y-9.
For volume control I used 128-step relay attenuator, thus eliminating major source of volume pot noise.
RCA connectors are CNC copper, very high quality, signal wiring - silver plated teflon cable.
Preamp has two pairs of RCA inputs and one pair of outputs.
IR remote controls the volume.
This preamp easily outperforms Don Allen, George Wright, Bottlehead, Conrad Johnson, and some Audio Research preamps it was compared with. Absolutely incredible level of transparency and detail. Preamp is very quiet - no noise, hum or hiss - absolutely "black" background.
Here's what others have to say:
"...I gave a long listen to your preamp in my system last night. Magnepan 1.6qr speakers, older Audio Research power amps , and Esoteric universal player, almost all connected with anti-cables . You can add the Audio Research Ls 16 to the list of preamps that your design equals or exceeds in performance. Wonderful detail, soundstaging, clean, clean treble notes, luscious female voices. I can hear almost exactly what is wrong with my system set-up as well as what is doing well. This is a very great preamp that makes me just want to listen to the music and makes it very hard to turn it off and walk away. Thank you very much for the chance to purchase it. If you ever work on an Aikido design with balanced inputs ( don't know if the design even allows for this), i would be very interested.
Dave ARmstrong"
Asking $895.00 shipped in CONUS, PayPal gift.
It is listed on Audiogon, accepting reasonable offers
