SOLD SOLD SOLDI can't believe I'm actually doing this... still not sure I want to but I'm listing my JM BBX2 Preamp for sale. Because of the acquisition of my Modwright pre it's sitting unused currently. My personal MO is that if it isn't being used... it gets sold.
This is the last version of the Juicy Music preamps and probably (IMO) the best which uses the 6H30 "Supertube." Includes an extra 6H30 and these are both the NOS versions which sell for over $100ea and not the newer 6H30pi tubes which are much cheaper. Also has Herbies Dampers on the super tube. Silver faced version with black knobs and walnut case. Condition is 8.5/10 functionally and cosmetically. Single-ended. Pure Class-A. It is a dead quiet tube preamp... and it sounds lovely.
I'm pretty firm at $1600, but will discuss options for a quick sale. I have the box and manual as well. I can take credit cards over the phone or PayPal/Cash/MO's etc...
This has dual, excellent tube MM Phono inputs. Use a SUT for LOMC. I don't remember the other tubes inside, but I'll check tomorrow. I know they are all NOS tubes. No new production.
Here are actual pics of my unit and then I'll put all the specs from JM.
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BlueBerry Xtreme II Full-Function Preamplifier
The latest generation of our legendary BlueBerry full-function preamplifier has a stunning level of clarity, and is guaranteed to awaken your vinyl collection to reveal the awesome musicality that still makes vinyl the preferred medium. The BlueBerry Xtreme II employs the 6H30 Super Tube in the zero feedback line stage coupled with even larger AuriCaps on the output.
The BlueBerry Xtreme II now comes standard with remote control. The "BBX2" can be configured in a stand alone metal chassis with black or silver front panel, or you can get the optional dovetailed wood case - which is alone a work of hand crafted beauty in its own right. The BBX2 comes with two phono inputs and optionally one can be configured for Low Output Moving Coil cartridges with the addition of our "Cream" option - a pair of premium MC transformers mounted internally.
The BlueBerry has all Class A triode circuitry and features three tubes in the phono stage and a single stage line amplifier. The massive power supply is vacuum tube rectified and has an unprecidented 2,800uF high voltage supply capacity. Other features include: (4) AUX level inputs, tape loop, 3-way volume, level, balance controls and standby mode.
The sound of the BlueBerry Xtreme II is clean, open, transparent as air, and with never a hint of the overblown dark wooly sound of vintage tube gear.
"Listening to the BlueBerry, I was reminded of the great tube preamps of the early 1980s-such as the Audio Research SP6 and the Conrad-Johnson Premiere Three: It had the same caliber of spatial performance I remember hearing from those landmark designs, in which individual "images" have a chunky, three-dimensional quality. Also like those older designs-and distinctly unlike the ones that followed right after-the BlueBerry's stereo imaging performance wasn't fussy or overcooked: It added to my enjoyment of the music, rather than supplanting it."
— Art Dudley, Stereophile, October 2006
Phono Stage
Gain:42dB in MM; 62dB with optional LOMC installed. *see below
RIAA:+/- 0.2dB 20Hz - 20kHz
Hum and Noise:75dB
THD:0.2% 20Hz - 20kHz ref. 5mV in
Input impedance:MM= 47k ohms; LOMC = 90 ohms
Optional LOMC Phono Input ("Cream Option")
Gain:20dB
Bandwidth:2Hz - 180kHz - 3dB
Common Mode Rejection:120dB
THD:0.001%
Optimal Cartridge input:200uV to 600uV
Line Stage
Gain:16dB
Frequency Response:-3dB 2Hz - 40kHz
Hum and Noise:85dB
THD:0.2% 20Hz - 20kHz ref. 2V out
Max Output:40Vrms into 47k ohms
Input Impedance:100k ohms
Output impedance:3.5k ohms
Inputs/Outputs
Phono Inputs:2 MM std; 1MM + 1 LOMC Opt.
AUX Inputs (high level):4
Tape Input/Output:1 in, 1 out with monitor switch
Main Output:1 RCA
Remote Control
Type:InfraRed
Functions:UpVol; DnVol; Mute; Un-Mute
Batteries:2 x AAA (supplied)
Power Supply
Primary Voltage:120VAC std. 240VAC opt.
Power Consumption:45W Standby; 64W On
Line Cord:IEC Connector/6-foot cord
Rectifier Tube:12X4 Dual Diode
B+ Supply:Unregulated C-L-C with 2,700uF storage
Filaments:Regulated 6.30VDC
Remote:Regulated 5VDC chassis; (2) AA Batteries in hand controller (incl.)
Physical
Dimensions:19"W x 6"H x 12"D
Weight:18lbs
Packed:20"W x 16"L x 12"H
Options
Front Panel:Silver with black knobs; Black with silver knobs
Case:Solid walnut dovetailed case
Cream Option:High grade LOMC transformers installed on Phono 1
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Juicy Music BlueBerry Xtreme II
All JMBB versions have the same phono circuit consisting of the 12AT7-->12AX7-->12AT7 with passive RIAA filter and no feedback.
The first three versions have the 6922/6DJ8 output tube (Line Stage), the last version changed to the 6H30. Early versions had 2uF Hovland output caps. Later versions had 6uF AuriCap output caps.
