[Niteshade]

I wanted to make something to spice up your equipment rack. Autumn Red Metallic was a great choice. In the great Northeast we?re going to be dazzled by colors in a little while. Colors that captivate, crisp fresh air and fine music harmonize to delight the senses.

Our offering will captivate listeners much longer than those beautiful leaves will stay on the trees. This Classic Series preamplifier has an oversized vintage Knight transformer powering everything as well as a two-stage filtering system that provides silky, smooth, quiet DC to everything that demands it.

Some other features include a circuit that operates the 6SN7?s at 1/30th their rated capacity, meaning have the capacity to last 30x?s (maybe forever?) longer than what a standard circuit will allow. You can actually touch the glass while the preamp operates. No stress turns into superior dynamic range, clarity and speed. I can?t stand slow, dull audio electronics of any sort. If it isn?t transparent, swift, accurate and reliable- it doesn?t get sold. Everything designed at Niteshade Audio is point to point wired using authentic cloth-covered tube amplifier wire. Solid copper and two layers of insulation guarantee ideal power delivery and efficient signal paths.

I firmly believe this is one of the finest preamps available and not just because I designed and built it. Performance begins with a solid knowledge of the parts being used. That knowledge is transformed into a circuit ideally suited to perform exactly what the machine is intended to do. In this case: small signal amplification. There is no better way to do that than to make a straight, clear signal path. In more scientific terms, an incoming signal is modulating current provided by the power supply to make it a larger one.  The less that gets in the way of such a process, the better.  There is no voodoo or esoteric components involved. Our circuit only employs what is absolutely necessary to amplify a signal and do it perfectly.

Please note: This preamp is designed especially for the critical, practiced listener. If you?re not one, here?s a chance to become one. Our preamp will delicately and accurately control your amplifier without adding or subtracting from what is being played.

Please note: This preamp has two inputs and one output.

Price: $875.00 delivered within the Lower 48

[jtwrace]

internal pictures?  options? 

[woodsyi]

What a piece of work this is, how noble in reason, how
infinite in faculties (2 inputs!), in form and moving how express and
admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like
a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of amps  --and yet,
to me, what is this quintessence of dust? 6SN7 delights not me--
nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

[topround]

Niteshade
Why don't you send one of your preamps on an AudioCircle tour?
They look great, but you are an unkown.

Let the proof be in the pudding.

Let us get are hands on it, and generate some interest?

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Mike

[DHT_2A3]

On his website there are some photos of internals and wiring (not this unit, but representative of work):

http://sites.google.com/site/niteshadeaudio/Home/niteshade-amplifiers/a-look-underneath

[ricmon]

Niteshade
Why don't you send one of your preamps on an AudioCircle tour?
They look great, but you are an unkown.

Let the proof be in the pudding.

Let us get are hands on it, and generate some interest?

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Mike

That sounds like a really good idea.  Can you make that happen?  I for one have been looking at your products but there is no buzz.

Ric

[playntheblues]

I would also sign up for the tour  aa  Let's us know.
Kind regards,
Guy

[jtwrace]

I would also sign up for the tour  aa  Let's us know.
Kind regards,
Guy

me too.  Would love to try it...

[Niteshade]

Hi Folks,

I'm planning on making a demo unit solely for a AudioCircle tour. 

In fact, I had a demo unit made but it sold.

This is a great suggestion and I'm very happy that there are people who'd like to try my products out.

There's  been a tremendous amount of business between filling orders, doing mods & upgrades, making items to sell outright (AKA: This preamp) AND the computer business, which is going quite strong. Another demo unit will be made after I catch up on my work.

[jtwrace]

Let us know when you're ready.   

[lonewolfny42]

Niteshade
Why don't you send one of your preamps on an AudioCircle tour?
They look great, but you are an unkown.

Let the proof be in the pudding.

Let us get are hands on it, and generate some interest?

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Mike

Good idea Mike....



Niteshade...

I'm planning on making a demo unit solely for a AudioCircle tour.

Great....

[richidoo]

What a piece of work this is,

Well said, Bard. 

.... there was no such stuff in my thoughts.

[Niteshade]

Preamplifier Option:

High current link capacitors for output coupling. They are not electrolytic.

There are no other upgrades since this unit was already built.

With a new preamp there are several options:

1. Color
2. Case size
3. Tube rectification
4. Number of inputs & outputs, buffered record out
5. Choice of tubes: 6SN7, 12AU7, 6N2P, etc..
6. Choke filtration

My base models have two inputs because a high current switch can be used. The contacts are rated for 6 amps and completely free of noise.  On top of that, the switch's contacts will never wear out.

NOTE: The camera wasn't portraying the preamp's color properly. I took some different photos and corrected the images to show the proper color, which is actually more like a dark red. 

This amp was finished in the exact same color, but it does not have a clear coat. Side by side, both units would match:

[Niteshade]

Interesting comments- I will explain a few things:

1. A heavy duty switch is used for the input selector. The six amp contacts are very quiet and will last a long time.  When there is more then two inputs, a wafer-based switch has to be used. While not bad, they're not as durable.

2. There was no dust in any of the photo shoots. The surfaces are extremely glossy and the finish is semi-metallic. Odd reflections and over saturation caused some issues. I re-took the photos with a different lighting technique and color corrected them.

3. 6SN7's are among the **best** preamp tubes. The 6SN7 is exceptionally transparent, spontaneous (FAST!) and has a wide, linear frequency response. Their very rugged and utilize an octal tube socket- providing excellent low, noise heavy duty contacts. 6SN7's are what I call a universal triode since even power amps can be made with them (The GTA & GTB versions).  Well- I can't say enough good about the tube! 


Appearance: Clearly retro! I lean towards functional appearances, meaning: If it doesn't do something to benefit the product's performance, don't use it.  A large enclosure insures all circuits remain uncluttered. We have a streamlined one as well that is still very accommodating. I use an industrial wiring technique generally seen with vintage Baldwin, Wurlitzer, Stromberg Carlson, Fisher, etc... electrical gear that has been used for decades. (At least until printed circuits became popular.) Repairs, upgrades and mods can be made invisible, allowing the unit to maintain it's "OEM" appearance.

In a nutshell, I like straight-forward designs because they work and work exceptionally well. If there is a way to eliminate components AND improve performance, it will be done. This preamp is one of my best examples of streamline design techniques. Tubes are a unique electronic component and the best way to exploit their potential is not to drown them with gobs of circuitry. Triodes, when used properly in preamps divulge a considerable amount of information hidden within music.
_______________________________________ _______________________________________ ___

What a piece of work this is, how noble in reason, how
infinite in faculties (2 inputs!), in form and moving how express and
admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like
a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of amps  --and yet,
to me, what is this quintessence of dust? 6SN7 delights not me--
nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

[jtwrace]

DEMO

[jimdgoulding]

Shade-  Just want to say way to go.  Take my hat off to a designer who can and WILL offer his or her work for $895.00.  Hope you get it out amongst members and that it is a wonderful music maker.  A colleague brought his expensive SS pre to my crib and while it added some refinement to my system, I was glad to get back to the dimensionality and balls of my tubed unit.  I say this because I think your market initially may be guys who have been wanting to try a tube pre and the price is low enough to motivate them to do it.  Best wishes.

[Bemopti123]

Just want to comment at the value that Blair puts in his products.  While manufacturers attempt to tempt customers through products using overpriced parts that do not necessarily add to sonic benefits, I like Blair's engineering philosophy, pare it down to what is absolutely essential in the circuit, then build it with robust parts that are not too special, which means long time value that anyone would be able to diagnose and fix should it ever be necessary.  All of this he calculates in the price without being greedy. 

Not to point fingers but there are PLENTY of brands that sound good, have built on success by subsequently raising price, not to just conform with parts price inflation but more as a strategy to keep the endless vendors/middlemen chubby and happy in profit.  That sort of price hikes irks me especially when the products being offered do not necessarily use very expensive or esoteric parts.

Paul from NYC

[playntheblues]

Demo tour of amp and pre 

[toobluvr]

I too have been intrigued by this Niteshade stuff over the past year or two.  Circuits appear to be well thought out and minimalist in design...which I love.  Build quality looks good, and I love the sraight-ahead and no frills retro look.  Waaaay cool.  And who can argue with the price? 

It certainly looks like it will sound good.  But as others have said, there is no buzz.  I have come across no comments, either pro or user, on any of the audio boards, so I'm hesitant to buy blindly.

Has anyone even heard this stuff?   

[Niteshade]

There will be some demo units. First, I have other obligations to fill for professional reviews, venders and orders. The pro reviews are going to be helpful to everybody.


I am very happy that so many are interested in my products! 

This preamp is presently up for sale and will most likely not go on tour. I will make one later on for demonstration or an integrated amplifier.