[Niteshade]

Candy Apple Red, Semi Metallic!

[Niteshade]

Our tube preamplifiers use 6SN7's in a Single Ended Triode (SET) configuration. We worked very hard to compose a design that guarantees our product to be a necessary upgrade to any audio system. The Dual Tube preamplifier is capable of an intimacy unmatched by preamps using multiple gain stages and large circuits. Richness, speed, clarity and depth are to be expected from our preamp. High fidelity is achieved by eliminating as much of the 'middle man' as possible. Bringing source and speaker closer together guarantees transparency and resolution, qualities once witnessed will make you a believer in good tube designs. There will be no turning back once the on switch is activated.  SET amplification consists of some of the world's more expensive tube gear. We are able to enhance your audio experience by making it easy to install this magic on your own.  Upgrading will add a distinguished sonic quality to your system and people will believe your entire audio system is tube based.

Connected to a tube amplifier, our Dual Tube preamp will provide sonic precision unknown by most audio enthusiasts. Precision equates to realism, realism translates to intimacy and pure enjoyment. Signal purity is required for any amplifier to operate at peak efficiency. Tube amplifiers benefit by being allowed to operate as they should- in a conservative environment designed simply to amplify and not add any unwanted ingredients. We know how to make triodes operate to their best potential and do not believe in massive amounts of support circuitry that frequently blot out any sonic benefits triodes have to offer. Our approach to design is elegant and unique within our vast audio industry. Everything we make is hand made and point to point wired to insure the highest quality, superior sonics and unheard of longevity. Audio is emotional and we know exactly how to get you more involved.

[Niteshade]

Our streamlined Dual Tube preamp comes with 5U4 tube rectification and an extra-large power transformer. Color is your choice at no additional charge!

Price: $1100.00, Lower 48 shipping included! 

[Niteshade]

International Sale!

Get our new Dual Tube streamlined, tube rectified preamplifier shipped (most) anywhere in the world for $1150.00.

You get to choose the color!

Sale Ends July 18th, 2009

[Niteshade]

If I had to sum up what our tube rectified Dual Tube preamp sounds like in three words it would be:

Transparent

Fast

Detailed

I have ran this preamp through many tests and  found it to be the text book model for triode amplification.  We're putting you one step closer to hooking source directly to speaker.  As the gap narrows, speed and resolution increase.  Transparency follows when there is little to get in the way of it.

Better sound is achieved by letting nothing stand in the way of it.

Enjoy yourself. Be free. Relax and listen to your music, not the equipment.

[Niteshade]

Did you know we can make amps & preamps nearly any color you want?

There's nothing better than tailored amplification.  Satin to mirror-like glossy finishes available!

Go on- be a showoff!   

[Niteshade]

Ever try a triode preamp on a high quality solid state power amp?

There's nothing quite like it!

Imaging capabilities are at least doubled.  Instrument separation is much better. 

I couldn't find any cons, just pros. My design eliminates circuit clutter, providing an enormous sonic advantage over complex designs.

[Niteshade]

I like my new preamp, like it allot! Listening enjoyment and a good book have one thing in common: Both are very difficult to walk away from. Good food is like that too- the thought of it ending can be a tough concept.

Some call it the 'one more song' addiction.

Today the new preamp was driving a pair of my 6N7 triode monoblocks. I wanted to see what a 100% triode amplification setup could do. Well- it's had me sitting here for a while now. Undeniably rich, satisfying, accurate sound will do that to a person. 

So,so sad...my auditioning time is over for the day.

[pardales]

Ever try a triode preamp on a high quality solid state power amp?

There's nothing quite like it!

Imaging capabilities are at least doubled.  Instrument separation is much better. 

I couldn't find any cons, just pros. My design eliminates circuit clutter, providing an enormous sonic advantage over complex designs.

Any particular SS amps you like with your new pre? Also, I see two switches .... I am guessing one  is for power but what about the other...input selection?

[Niteshade]

The left-hand switch is an input selector. I have tried it on two THX (Denon & Yamaha) receivers and a basic 100 watt/channel power amp.

[Niteshade]

Last day of our sale!

[Niteshade]

We're always happy to answer questions. 

[Niteshade]

Don't let electronics get in the way of your music. Unparalleled resolution and unparalleled transparency are brought together by unparalleled ingenuity.

There is not another preamplifier that allows the sonic beauty of triodes to shine through like ours does. Our proof is in the design.

Let your music be heard the way it was supposed to be.

[Niteshade]

NOTE: I'm always open to questions!

Our Dual Tube preamplifier is unquestionably one of the best out there. Our design is reminiscent of the early 30's & 40's no-nonsense tube applications. I am a student of early electronics designs and firmly believe the old arts have much to offer us. 

Succinct designs take skill to implement. In fact, a tremendous amount of skill, just as compact computer code does (AKA Commodore 64 software).  I have always looked down at birds nest designs and spaghetti code. Sloppy, inefficient design work wasts time, resources, energy and increases the probability of breakdown. 

The ideals of efficient design are good and proper. Efficiency lends itself to incredible sonic quality, something we all strive to obtain.

[Carlman]

Ever try a triode preamp on a high quality solid state power amp?

There's nothing quite like it!

Imaging capabilities are at least doubled.  Instrument separation is much better. 

I couldn't find any cons, just pros. My design eliminates circuit clutter, providing an enormous sonic advantage over complex designs.

Any particular SS amps you like with your new pre? Also, I see two switches .... I am guessing one  is for power but what about the other...input selection?

I have tried it on two THX (Denon & Yamaha) receivers and a basic 100 watt/channel power amp.

Sorry to be a cynic here.. and I'll be happy to delete this post.. or you can if you're an admin here.. but...
It doesn't sound like you've heard your preamp on a 'high quality' ss amp... Also the pre looks extremely minimilastic, which is fine/great but the price seems way out of line for what I'm seeing.  I totally respect what you're doing but I can't wrap my head around paying $1100 for something that A, has no reviews, B, looks like an industrial project box, and C has a parts cost under $150.  There are a LOT of other preamps in that price range and lower with 'dual tubes' and some with 3 or more!  And many with point-to-point wiring and simple, clean circuits.

Everyone has to start somewhere but I'd suggest you get this pre to a good reviewer, start some buzz, then charge the big price if it's a truly special piece. I'm not familiar at all with Niteshade products or the brand.. but if you have a strong reputation already, disregard my attempt at marketing help.  If not, I wish you luck building the reputation.. because your design priniciples are spot-on!

-C

[Niteshade]

I do appreciate your question and want everybody to view it.

There are several solid state amps at my disposal including Crown, QSC, SAE, McIntosh and Marantz. I also have fine specimens from Denon, Sony and Yamaha. They're all used for testing purposes. They all have unique personalities and comport themselves ideally for what I do. 

How much the parts cost does not have anything to do with the end product's value. It is the quality of those parts and how they are assembled that counts. You're not buying a pile of resistors, capacitors and wire, but a finished product that is designed to perform a specific way.   You know my design philosophy- the less you see of this stuff, the better and the more valuable a product becomes.  The probability of repairs and compromised sonic quality is exponentially reduced with every component that can remain out of the design.

Many people like my enclosures. The best thing about them: I can make a chassis any color you want and utilize very high quality finishes. Believe me, they can become the star of the show in terms of appearance.

Reviews: You are 100% correct! Several items will be going out for review soon.  If I wasn't 100% confident in my products, they wouldn't leave the shop.

You're welcome to visit my web site. Take a look around. There's plenty of information, spec's and photos to view.

[Niteshade]

It never occurred to me that a low parts count would be a concern. 

Fact is, a high parts count should be a major concern.

There are multitudes of products, not just in the audio market that get retired due to extremely high repair bills as a result of repairing complex machinery.

It is my job to make life less complicated for my customers.

What do we audio enthusiasts want?

Great sound and no problems. I have taken care of both qualifications by designing equipment that's technically and physically beautiful. The beneficiary of great design work is both of us-  I won't have to see it again for repairs and all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy yourself.

A very good set of questions and concerns was written to me a couple of posts up. Please take a look.

Just one last comment regarding the parts count: I cannot justify using more parts.  If additional functions were added, then, yes, more parts would be necessary. But just simply adding a handful or two of components cannot be justified. What could I honestly say they would be doing if the present circuit operates perfectly without them? It unnerves me to see complex circuits where it isn't necessary.

Good engineering is all about making equipment with a low parts count that can best gear with a higher parts count.

[Niteshade]

The path of least resistance is also sonically ideal.