Absolutely STUNNING Classic Series 6SN7 Tube Stereo Preamplifier

woodsyi · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 Aug 2009, 03:04 pm »

Quote from: Niteshade on 24 Aug 2009, 02:23 pm

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.

I am sure professional reviewers and the boundless paying customers (apparently a very shy group as everyone is mum

) who buy up everything you make is good.

If OTOH you actually want people to talk about their experience with your product, I would suggest that you make a demo piece sooner than later for AC members to hear in order to take advantage of this little "buzz" you got going. We got vocal members who are more than willing to listen and give a good account of an audio gear. It's up to you.

jtwrace · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 Aug 2009, 03:06 pm »

I agree. Strike while the iron is hot.

toobluvr · « **Reply #22 on:** 24 Aug 2009, 03:19 pm »

The man says he's busy filling orders.

With so much Niteshade gear in the field it's shocking to me that not a single word has leaked out about its performance!

A very shy bunch indeed!

Niteshade · « **Reply #23 on:** 24 Aug 2009, 04:11 pm »

Most sales are not made here or by people who belong to this community. I believe you have heard from a few people who are on here already. Look at my Audiogon feedback, which is 100%. There are two reviews on AC and most likely that will increase as time goes by.

bigjppop · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 Aug 2009, 04:10 pm »

I've traded several emails with Blair and he has always been a pleasure to deal with; always prompt with getting back to me and always willing to answer questions. I held off ordering because I'm a little to chicken to be an 'early adopter'.

If customer service is any indication of quality, I think Niteshade Audio stuff is going to be great. I'm only posting here to add another vote to the 'get some demo gear out there soon' column. Us audiofreaks are a strange bunch and I'm fairly sure that people that are interested in custom tube amps probably spend some time on these message boards (if not AC, somewhere similar). It would be great to find some more first hand experience with Niteshade products from some fellow crazies... Just my two cents.

Niteshade · « **Reply #25 on:** 25 Aug 2009, 10:47 pm »

Here is a mini-review I just received from a new customer. He received a Dual Tube 6SN7 preamp:
_______________________________________ __________

All is well with the preamp. I am happy with my purchase. I have been using it mainly with AES/Cary SE-1, a 300b-based SET power amp with 8wpc power, in a small room with single driver 94db sensitive Fritz speakers-the driver a 6" Fostex 167E.

I changed all the stock tubes to some NOS tubes that I had in my stash as soon as I received the pre. Therefore my impressions are with my own tubes.

I think the 300b SET amp and this pre match very very well. The highlights of this pre are that it is quiet, detailed, very resolving but not edgy, no added coloration. Very pleasant clean sound! There is a feeling of more air around each instrument, realism to the vocals, compared to my previous Monolithic passive/active pre. It brings out and emphasizes, but does not mess with the beauty of the 300b tubes. I mostly listen to chamber music and jazz vocals. I am very happy with it. Nice red finish, looks cool. For the money, it is an outstanding preamp, a fantastic value in HiFi.

I wish I had two outputs instead of one to add a subwoofer. I suppose that is for another time...

I was not able to get rid of the RFI even with this exceedingly quiet pre, since I live close to a radio tower. I can still hear a faint broadcast thru the speakers, although it is variable during the day and night, and almost disappears when I play music. This is not a specific preamp problem obviously.

I have a Dehavilland Ultraverve II pre (6SN7 based, tube rectified) that I can compare this with. Dehavilland is 3 times as expensive. It has 4 inputs, 2 outputs, a stepped attenuator, ground lift, etc. The sound is close though. For now, I prefer the Dehavilland in more powerful systems and louder volumes in big rooms.
_______________________________________ ____________________________________

mercury · « **Reply #26 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 12:48 am »

Hello everybody,

I was the one who sent that mini-review to Blair. Still a very happy customer. This pre is stunningly transparent in my system.

I wanted to add that it runs really cool. Also, after many hours of uninterrupted operation, it becomes even better sounding. Specifically, the sound stage height and depth noticably increase. I think I am going to go ahead and keep it on most of the time. Needless to say, all my comments and observations are limited to my system and room conditions. However, I remain frankly impressed with what this pre-amp can do. I am sure many of you know; other 6N7-based pre-amps surely exist: AES/Cary, DeHavilland, the late George Wright's preamps, Blue Circle, Counterpoint, etc. They are all reputable pre-amps, as far as I know. I have the DeHavilland UV II. It will take me some time to make fair comparisons between the two...I am not even sure the Classic is even fully broken in yet.

Niteshade · « **Reply #27 on:** 1 Sep 2009, 08:22 pm »

Our Dual Tube preamplifier now comes equipped with a capacitor upgrade that enhances resolution and increases energy transfer efficiency. This upgrade will be installed free of charge on the preamp we are selling here.

earplay · « **Reply #28 on:** 3 Sep 2009, 06:04 pm »

Blair,

I've been fascinated by your site. Am glad to see that you are enduring the economic hard times.

I would love to be on the tour. Please let me know when it happens. Count me in!

jtwrace · « **Reply #29 on:** 3 Sep 2009, 07:44 pm »

Blair

With ~10 people wanting to be on the tour, what is your time frame looking like now?

Niteshade · « **Reply #30 on:** 3 Sep 2009, 11:59 pm »

Everything is coming along well. Pro review gear and AC items will be next. I do not have a time table.

NOTE: I may offer a one-week trial with this preamp. If it's returned after a week, a 100% refund will be issued. To make things easy, I'll use PayPal.

Blair

Niteshade · « **Reply #31 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 12:07 am »

A 7-Day trial is available for this preamp! A full refund will be given if it doesn't fit your needs. A capacitor upgrade will be installed before shipment that is free of charge.

Niteshade · « **Reply #32 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 11:52 am »

I forgot to add: Outgoing shipping is FREE within the Lower 48.

playntheblues · « **Reply #33 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 01:39 pm »

Blair how is the demo tour coming? I think I am number 2 or 3 on the list.
Kind Regards,
Guy

toobluvr · « **Reply #34 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 01:54 pm »

The way I read it, it's not gonna be a "demo tour".

Looks like you purchase and pay upfront, and have 7 day return privileges.

Audition period is not long enough, if you ask me.

playntheblues · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 02:18 pm »

Which has me confused, there are no units for a demo tour, however if you would like to buy one on a 7 day return they are available

toobluvr · « **Reply #36 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 02:32 pm »

You know the answer.
Put 2 and 2 together.

He prefers to NOT do a demo tour.

Is there any other conclusion?

playntheblues · « **Reply #37 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 02:34 pm »

I get it. Business must be very good.

bigjppop · « **Reply #38 on:** 14 Sep 2009, 11:31 pm »

Hopefully business is rocking! It's great to see someone succeed and be able to make a living doing something they're passionate about.

As much as I would love to demo some Niteshade gear (particularly an integrated amp

) if I could fill my day with paying orders I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be making anything for demo either!

Blair, you're a lucky man to be able to do what you love and it looks like make a living at it too! Congrats!

Niteshade · « **Reply #39 on:** 15 Sep 2009, 12:36 am »

Hi-

It is a great business! Making new designs and finding ways to improve existing ones is a dream come true. Please keep an eye on my web site for new products, upgrades & mods.

To the others regarding a 7-day trial:

It's great! Seven days is certainly enough time. I have done this before with great success. We can plan shipping so it arrives on a Friday. That will leave the weekend for experimentation. It never takes me long to figure out if I like something. I think what confuses people the most is revealing equipment: You either like what it's found in your music or perhaps you'd rather that part be masked. This is a VERY revealing preamp- it will peel your tunes like an orange and leave nothing disguised for better or for worse. This is true HiFi and that is what HiFi components are supposed to do. It's exciting to hear everything. Detail brought on by high resolution is a treat.

Note: I had explained earlier that a tour may become likely after professional gear has been released for review. This summer has been exceptionally busy! I'm not the only one- Edcor has had an over 100% increase in business relative to last summer.

Quote from: bigjppop on 14 Sep 2009, 11:31 pm

Hopefully business is rocking! It's great to see someone succeed and be able to make a living doing something they're passionate about.

As much as I would love to demo some Niteshade gear (particularly an integrated amp ) if I could fill my day with paying orders I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be making anything for demo either!

Blair, you're a lucky man to be able to do what you love and it looks like make a living at it too! Congrats!