[Delta Wave]

I currently use one as my preamp and I find the phono section to be outstanding compared to everything else I've tried except for an old Marantz receiver I no longer have. I have upgraded the RCA's and wired them directly to the board instead of using the mini-molex pins that used to be there.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with these. I am wanting to get a tube preamp and most that I like and can afford do not have a phonostage. So how do you suppose this would stack up against a modern phono section such as a Jolida or a Musical Surroundings?... something affordable. I like having the the ability to adjust for both MM & MC cartridge loading.

Any thoughts on this?

[TheChairGuy]

I think Nelson Pass had a hand in designing/engineering many Naks of that era...it would not be a surprise if it outperforms at its price with that kind of engineering talent at the helm.

I know he had a hand in the amps from Nak of that era.

Enjoy it - it's prob a sleeper!

[timind]

I think the CA-5 is one of the best preamps of that time. Considering when it was built, the build quality is amazing. You've opened it up so you already know this.
Can't comment on the phono stage compared to newer units as I haven't heard it in 5 or 6 years. Of course you can always use a tape out in to whatever pre you try out for comparison.

[Delta Wave]

I've tried a few "well received", affordable modern phono pre's but they don't hold a candle to it. I actually bought it just for the phono section but I found that the whole unit sounds quite nice... it's a very good match for my amps and speakers.

I've had my eye on the Nova Phonomena II, the Jolida or the DB Systems... people seem to like them all very much. I'm also considering the MAD Ultra 4A SE Phono/Line Preamplifier as a whole solution... http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/

I know Nelson Pass designed the Stasis? (I think that's what they were called) series of Nak amps but I'm not certain about their pre's.

[vinyl_guy]

I have one (it is in the original box in my basement). I used it from the time I bought it in the mid 1980's until just a few years ago when I bought the Gill Audio Design vacuum tube preamp with the Art Audio Vinyl Reference phonostage. My turntable at the time was a B & O Beogram. An excellent pre amp with a very good phonostage that gave me many, many years of enjoyable listening. While very good, it is not on the same level as my Gill Audio Design/Art Audio pre/phono. I have not heard the Jolida or Musical Surroundings.

[Delta Wave]

I have one (it is in the original box in my basement). I used it from the time I bought it in the mid 1980's until just a few years ago when I bought the Gill Audio Design vacuum tube preamp with the Art Audio Vinyl Reference phonostage. My turntable at the time was a B & O Beogram. An excellent pre amp with a very good phonostage that gave me many, many years of enjoyable listening. While very good, it is not on the same level as my Gill Audio Design/Art Audio pre/phono. I have not heard the Jolida or Musical Surroundings.

Sounds like a superb setup but it's nothing I can afford.