[DaveC113]

Thanks for the recommendations!

I wasn't planning on buying anything soon, but I was offered an Anthem Pre1 for a very good price, and after reading the reviews I decided to try it out. If I decide I don't like it I could sell it quickly for what I'm paying. It has newer tubes, with Brimar linestage and 2 extra Brimar ECC88s. JJ Audio 2nd Input. Sovtec for the 1st in and rectifier. From reading the reviews I might want a different rectifier, but thats about it. 

I certainly don't want the "syrupy mess" effect, but I am looking for more texture, a fuller sound, musicality, presence... I think the Anthem will do what I'm looking for without excess coloration. It would be a shame to give up the accuracy and detail that the XRS/Trends combo produces.

I will update later and let you know if it works out...

Dave

[DaveC113]

It worked out very well   

Huge improvement in tone, it doesn't sound thin anymore, the soundstage is better balanced...  I'm happy. The presence of voices and instruments is amazing. This preamp sounds very detailed as well, certainly not colored, definately musical. I've read that the Sovtec rectifier produces a thinner, brighter sound than others, I figure I'll try a JJ or Groove Tubes GZ34.

I still have a few mods to the Trends waiting to be done as well. 

Dave

[lonewolfny42]

It worked out very well. 

Dave...
 Thanks for your update....glad it worked out....happy listening...

[doug s.]

in my experience, once a person has heard what a good tube preamp will do in their system, it's hard to go back to s/s, passive, or anything else. 

doug s.

[DaveC113]

I do have another question  ... the Anthem has a lot of gain, way more than I need, so the volume will never be turned up past 9-10 o'clock. Would it make a big difference to attenuate the signal before the volume pot with a high quality resistor?... or is there a better (correct) way to reduce the gain?

Dave

[soundbitten1]

I have an Anthem Pre 1 ( currently for sale ) and it has adustable gain settings ( 8 , 16 , 24 ) inside the unit .

[doug s.]

first thing to do would be to open yours up & see if it has the gain switch, per soundbitten.  if it doesn't, you could try these; plug them in to the inputs of your amp at the end of the preamp/amp interconnects  i have used these to good effect when i have had issues w/too much gain:

http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/attenuators.html

doug s.

I do have another question  ... the Anthem has a lot of gain, way more than I need, so the volume will never be turned up past 9-10 o'clock. Would it make a big difference to attenuate the signal before the volume pot with a high quality resistor?... or is there a better (correct) way to reduce the gain?

Dave

[DaveC113]

OK, it does not have gain switches installed... if I had the schematic, or knew which of the holes in the pcb to jumper it would be an easy modification. I RTFM, and it said there are 2 levels of gain for the line stage, 29 or 12 db. I'm guessing its set to 29 db right now, but I don't know for sure.

Also, I'm just guessing that less gain with a higher setting on the volume pot will be better....   

I think Parts Connexion should be able to get me the info, I'll call them tomorrow...

Dave

[Tweaker]

As the previous owner of this preamp I can assure you it has gain switches. The manual will show the location. With the gain switches engaged I found the treble to be rolled off a bit. Not always a bad thing if your system tends to be on the bright side.

[DaveC113]

Hi Jon,

There are gain switches for the phono section (which are present), but there are also gain switches for the main output. There are sockets for the switches on the pcb, but they weren't installed for some reason. It is in a location that won't require more than taking the cover off to fit jumpers, so its no big deal... I just need to find out which connections to make. Believe me, I triple checked the location, and the pcb is also labeled "Gain" at that point as well.

Dave

[Tweaker]

It's been a long time since I used the preamp but I'm pretty sure that the gain switch affects all outputs, not just the phono.
I found this doing a Google search:

"Signals coming into the Anthem Pre-1 pass through the selector switch to the switch for its tape monitor loop (or external processor loop), via a 1-kilohm resistor at the input to the monitor switch and another such resistor at the tape outputs. The wiper (output) of the monitor switch then passes to the balance control, which is connected as a variable resistor in series with the volume control. Switching the Anthem Pre-1 to low-gain mode inserts an additional resistor between the balance and volume controls. Switching in this resistor curtails the balance control's adjustment range. It also reduces the circuit's high-frequency response and increases noise, because it raises the impedance seen by the grid of the first stage."

I remember using the low gain setting to compensate for my high output cartridge but switching back because I did not like how it affected the sound listening to other sources.

[DaveC113]

Indeed you are correct... the switches were moved to the volume/balance control pcb. Also, you are right that its best run on high gain if possible. The owners manual was not changed, and they left the sockets for the old gain switches in place on the pcb, which was a little confusing. 

Dave

[doug s.]

if this is correct, then i strongly recommend checking out the rothwell attenuators.  while i cannot vouch for any actual improvements you may get, i can say that there won't be any sonic degradation.  and you will get more travel outta your wolume pot...

doug s.

Indeed you are correct... the switches were moved to the volume/balance control pcb. Also, you are right that its best run on high gain if possible. The owners manual was not changed, and they left the sockets for the old gain switches in place on the pcb, which was a little confusing. 

Dave