[genjamon]

Regarding number of tubes, keep in mind it's a fully balanced design.  That's pretty unusual for tube preamplifiers, so more tubes than usual should expected.  And looking at the pics in that review, it looks like it might have a dual-mono design to it.  Intriguing, especially for the price.  Though, alas no 6SN7's 

[sunnydaze]

Definitely dual mono, that's clear from the layout.

[abd1]

Regarding number of tubes, keep in mind it's a fully balanced design.  That's pretty unusual for tube preamplifiers, so more tubes than usual should expected.  And looking at the pics in that review, it looks like it might have a dual-mono design to it.  Intriguing, especially for the price.  Though, alas no 6SN7's 

It is dual mono, and has a regenerative power supply. When I first turned it on I thought it was broken because it was so quiet. Love my Sachs preamp too with the 6sn7's, and I like the looks more for sure, but this Audio-GD is pretty amazing sounding especially considering the price. And I have no desire to tube roll in it, sounds great as is. I think it really started to break in the last week or so (got it around xmas time) because last weekend I was blown by the imaging and soundstage, especially depth, like I've never heard before. There is also a solid state version for less money that is also supposed to sound great.

[genjamon]

With the full differential circuitry, I'd be pretty curious what pairing this with the Van Alstine M225 monoblocks would sound like, especially with a top shelf balanced output DAC.

[Philip J Fry]

I had some time today so put some prices with the suggestions.
If any of these prices have changed or you can help with the out of production ones, that would be great.

Aesthetix Calypso Signature  $10,143
Atma-Sphere MP-1 $12,500/$14,990 w/ phono
Audible Illusions 3A  $1895 (1996)
Audio Note M3 $6000/7500 w/ phono (2003)
Audio Research LS27  $7000
Audio Resarch REF 40 $25,000
Audio Research Ref 5  $12,000
Audio Valve Conductor  $14,000
Burmester, all  $16,000 (2005)
Conrad johnson Art 3  $25,000
Counterpoint $600 - $4,000 (out of production)
darTZeel  $23,250 (2007)
Decware SE84C (actually an amplifier)
DIYHifiSupply Tram II OTL $1395 kit/$1645 assembled $300 tubes
Eastern Electric Minimax  $1,100
eva-2  $299 kit
Klyne $3250 (?)
Luxman, all
Manley 300B  $5,500
MBL 5011  $8,382
McIntosh C500  $12,500
McCormack DNA 500 (amplifier)
Melos  $1600 (1998)
MFA Venusian (?)
Modwright LS 100  $3,495
NAT Audio Symmetrical  $7,600
Precision Fidelity  $2,000-3,000 (?)
Purity Audio Silver Statement  $14,995
SAS Labs 7A  $459 kit
SAS Labs 10A  $1,595 - $1,795
SAS Labs 11A  $2,849 - $3,049
Supratek Cabernet Dual  $8000
Sun 300B  $4,226
TVC $600 - $1,200 kit add $150 assembled
VAC Ref Sig MkII  $15,000
Vitus Audio  $30,000 (2004)
Warpspeed Optocoupler $155 kit

MFA Venusian (?)- I paid $2900. for mine in 1985, plus $600. for revisions in 1987.

[FullRangeMan]

If one use a DAC with variable output there is no need for a pre-amp.

[newzooreview]

If one use a DAC with variable output there is no need for a pre-amp.

Every time I've done that, it flattens the soundstage--the opposite of a 3D, holographic presentation.

[FullRangeMan]

Every time I've done that, it flattens the soundstage--the opposite of a 3D, holographic presentation.

This happen with very good pre-amps, do you have a suggestion of a this good pre-amp under $1K ?

[Tyson]

If you have high efficiency speakers, you might have better luck with a TVC based preamp vs. an active preamp.  I've started using one in my upstairs system and I've been pretty impressed with it.

[FullRangeMan]

These mentioned holografic pre-amps are active, Iam already using Khozmo pot now.

[Kw6]

With that pre only use those tubes. I have feeling it's the tubeas I know someone who said AR SP40 was most holographic and it uses same tubes.

[Kw6]

These mentioned holografic pre-amps are active, Iam already using Khozmo pot now.

How is it compared to the Blue Velvet or Audio Note?

[Kw6]

It is dual mono, and has a regenerative power supply. When I first turned it on I thought it was broken because it was so quiet. Love my Sachs preamp too with the 6sn7's, and I like the looks more for sure, but this Audio-GD is pretty amazing sounding especially considering the price. And I have no desire to tube roll in it, sounds great as is. I think it really started to break in the last week or so (got it around xmas time) because last weekend I was blown by the imaging and soundstage, especially depth, like I've never heard before. There is also a solid state version for less money that is also supposed to sound great.

I emailed Qinghwa for a quote!

[FullRangeMan]

How is it compared to the Blue Velvet or Audio Note?

Never got to hear these pots 
https://khozmo.com/index.html

[Kw6]

Never got to hear these pots 
https://khozmo.com/index.html

Ok thanks!

[Kw6]

Hi abd1,

When you change volume on the HE1 pre amp is there any static noise coming from speakers or is it just the normal clicking sound from the volume attentuator? Thanks!

[Philip J Fry]

Anyone remember Aunt Corey's Homemade Buffered Passive Preamplifier?

I built one using top grade parts (dual voltage regulators), it's been sitting in a closet, I'll put a listing up for it on the Trading Post.

[newzooreview]

This happen with very good pre-amps, do you have a suggestion of a this good pre-amp under $1K ?

No, I don't.

About 20 years ago I had a Marsh Sounds P2000 tube hybrid pre-amp that made things sound soft and warm, but had about the same soundstage as directly connecting the amp to the DAC (a Benchmark DAC1). In that case the direct connection to the DAC gave me more detail and clarity with the same soundstage as the preamp. The P2000 was about $1400 at the time, so when I decided to try a preamp a couple years later I figured that I should be looking at better preamps and didn't explore the sub-$1k possibilities.

Maybe there were excellent preamps for less than $1k at the time and maybe there are now. I did recently try a Goldpoint stepped attenuator (SA1) for my office desk system, and it had crackles and static every time I turned the knob. I bought it new, directly from their website, and could not recommend anything from them based on the incredibly poor post-sale interaction. I've heard of others who got a Goldpoint in normal working order who like its apparent clarity, but I've never heard someone say it conveyed a 3D, holographic soundstage.

[mresseguie]

Anyone remember Aunt Corey's Homemade Buffered Passive Preamplifier?

I built one using top grade parts (dual voltage regulators), it's been sitting in a closet, I'll put a listing up for it on the Trading Post.

I'd never heard of this, but here is an old discussion of it:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=1648.0

[mresseguie]

Every time I've done that, it flattens the soundstage--the opposite of a 3D, holographic presentation.

This has been my experience as well.