Preamp to match Tundra

clasch66 · Post by **clasch66** » 2014-03-07 09:11

Have seen the preamp board you posted yesterday on your Facebook account. Looks & sounds promising :-)

Cheers Claus

macrotech2 · Post by **macrotech2** » 2014-03-07 09:33

Just seen the picture and comment on Instagram. Sounds very promising indeed. I can't wait to hear it.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » 2014-03-07 13:36

Looking forward very much to hear this. All specs must have been set by now. Can you reveal anything, like numbers of inputs ?
What about colour? Seems like Kikkin and Slipsik was available in silver but Gaio and Tundra are black only. Maybe you commented on this before?
/Stefan

matthias · Post by **matthias** » 2014-03-07 16:03

stefan wrote:Looking forward very much to hear this. All specs must have been set by now. Can you reveal anything, like numbers of inputs ?
What about colour? Seems like Kikkin and Slipsik was available in silver but Gaio and Tundra are black only. Maybe you commented on this before?
/Stefan

+1

The "gloss white" is very nice..............

KR
Matt

ThomasOK · Post by **ThomasOK** » 2014-03-08 19:03

matthias wrote:
stefan wrote:Looking forward very much to hear this. All specs must have been set by now. Can you reveal anything, like numbers of inputs ?
What about colour? Seems like Kikkin and Slipsik was available in silver but Gaio and Tundra are black only. Maybe you commented on this before?
/Stefan
+1

The "gloss white" is very nice..............

KR
Matt

Fredrik has stated that the preamp will be in the same case as the Tundra amps. Logically it follows that it will be only available in the same attractive black finish.

Great seeing the final circuit board on the Instagram photo, very interesting… Also great to hear your comments on it "performs like nothing I have ever heard" has me salivating for it. You are making it exceedingly hard to wait!

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-08 21:42

Thank you!

Yes, Thomas is correct:

* Tundra case
* Black only
* Four analogue inputs
* Unity gain on one input (optional)
* Dual outputs
* Some other cool features

Right now, I'm wrestling with the front button assembly and the firmware parameters.

Apart from on facebook, you can find the updates here:
http://lejonklouhifi.tumblr.com/
http://instagram.com/lejonklou

Ozzzy189 · Post by **Ozzzy189** » 2014-03-09 19:29

wow, you sound stoked !!!!! i can't wait to hear this !!!!!

fatjulio · Post by **fatjulio** » 2014-03-10 06:28

I don't suppose a multi channel version would happen?

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-10 13:04

fatjulio wrote:I don't suppose a multi channel version would happen?

That depends on what you want the multi channel preamp to handle.
Is analogue in and out enough or do you require processing?

rowlandhills · Post by **rowlandhills** » 2014-03-10 17:11

lejonklou wrote:
fatjulio wrote:I don't suppose a multi channel version would happen?
That depends on what you want the multi channel preamp to handle.
Is analogue in and out enough or do you require processing?

From my own perspective, I'd be happy with multi-channel analogue in&out (I'd be happy with 6 channel, but the market would probably want 8, to support 7.1 surround) and allowing my BluRay player to do the decoding. That's the way the Exotik used to work before the +DA module.

fatjulio · Post by **fatjulio** » 2014-03-10 20:19

lejonklou wrote:
fatjulio wrote:I don't suppose a multi channel version would happen?
That depends on what you want the multi channel preamp to handle.
Is analogue in and out enough or do you require processing?

In and out should be enough. I've been using an Oppo 105 to do the decoding and send analogue out. Would individual channel level offsets count as processing? I currently have 5.1, so 6 channels would do for me, but like rowlandhills said, 7.1 may be required for general consumption.

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-10 20:40

rowlandhills wrote:From my own perspective, I'd be happy with multi-channel analogue in&out (I'd be happy with 6 channel, but the market would probably want 8, to support 7.1 surround) and allowing my BluRay player to do the decoding.

fatjulio wrote:In and out should be enough. I've been using an Oppo 105 to do the decoding and send analogue out. Would individual channel level offsets count as processing? I currently have 5.1, so 6 channels would do for me, but like rowlandhills said, 7.1 may be required for general consumption.

Ok!

As long as we stay in the analogue domain (channel offset is not a problem), I don't rule out a multi channel version.

mrco99 · Post by **mrco99** » 2014-03-11 10:06

Hi Fredrik,

Any options provided for headphone lovers?
Perhaps just a circuit embedded into the design just in case a future module becomes available that won´t compromise sound quality?

Cheers,

Marco

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-11 13:45

mrco99 wrote:Any options provided for headphone lovers?
Perhaps just a circuit embedded into the design just in case a future module becomes available that won´t compromise sound quality?

A connector that is presently not in use has been added to the circuit board.
The idea is to have it on standby for possible future developments.

tokenbrit · Post by **tokenbrit** » 2014-03-11 21:01

rowlandhills wrote:From my own perspective, I'd be happy with multi-channel analogue in&out (I'd be happy with 6 channel, but the market would probably want 8, to support 7.1 surround) and allowing my BluRay player to do the decoding.

fatjulio wrote:In and out should be enough. I've been using an Oppo 105 to do the decoding and send analogue out. Would individual channel level offsets count as processing? I currently have 5.1, so 6 channels would do for me, but like rowlandhills said, 7.1 may be required for general consumption.

Curious why multi-channel analogue is needed over & above the optional unity gain on one input. I was planning to add an Oppo 105 and just use the Tundra preamp's unity gain input for stereo L/R, then use the Oppo's volume control, channel steering and any bass management for any DVDs. Otherwise the DS will take care of CDs (ripped, of course) What am I missing if you both feel the need for multi-channel analogue? Is it just the superior volume control in the Tundra &/or ease of use?
It's tough enough waiting on the 4 channel preamp, let alone waiting longer for a multi-channel version as replacement for my AK/0 ;)

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-11 21:58

tokenbrit wrote:Curious why multi-channel analogue is needed over & above the optional unity gain on one input.

In my view it's about performance.

tokenbrit wrote:It's tough enough waiting on the 4 channel preamp, let alone waiting longer for a multi-channel version as replacement for my AK/0 ;)

4 channels? Which preamp is that?

rowlandhills · Post by **rowlandhills** » 2014-03-12 00:11

tokenbrit wrote:Curious why multi-channel analogue is needed over & above the optional unity gain on one input. I was planning to add an Oppo 105 and just use the Tundra preamp's unity gain input for stereo L/R, then use the Oppo's volume control, channel steering and any bass management for any DVDs. Otherwise the DS will take care of CDs (ripped, of course) What am I missing if you both feel the need for multi-channel analogue? Is it just the superior volume control in the Tundra &/or ease of use?
It's tough enough waiting on the 4 channel preamp, let alone waiting longer for a multi-channel version as replacement for my AK/0 ;)

For me, it would be to allow me to get rid of my Exotik and just connect a BluRay player direct to the multi-channel analogue inputs. I could live with TV just being stereo, but I have to admit that I'd not considered using the volume control on an Oppo (in fact, to be honest, I wasn't aware it had it!).

tokenbrit · Post by **tokenbrit** » 2014-03-12 01:39

lejonklou wrote:4 channels? Which preamp is that?

I meant the Tundra preamp - 4 inputs, not channels.

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-12 01:45

tokenbrit wrote:
lejonklou wrote:4 channels? Which preamp is that?
I meant the Tundra preamp - 4 inputs, not channels.

Phew! For a moment there I thought you knew more than I do. :)

rowlandhills wrote:I have to admit that I'd not considered using the volume control on an Oppo (in fact, to be honest, I wasn't aware it had it!)

I think you were better off not knowing.

tokenbrit · Post by **tokenbrit** » 2014-03-12 03:59

lejonklou wrote:
rowlandhills wrote:I have to admit that I'd not considered using the volume control on an Oppo (in fact, to be honest, I wasn't aware it had it!)
I think you were better off not knowing.

Not what I was hoping to hear. Had hoped that an Oppo 105 on the unity gain input would be a good way to bring stereo & multi-channel together - a 4 input preamp seemed perfect.
A multi-channel version might need something like 12 inputs - 3 or 4 individual, and an 8 channel group - plus 8 outputs for 7.1. If that's a possibility, I'll have to think about waiting. Otherwise I'm sure my LP12 & DS will be more than happy with the 4 input stereo version.

macrotech2 · Post by **macrotech2** » 2014-03-12 09:20

I'm happily using the Oppo 105 as a processor with its internal volume control. I didn't do detailed testing but I didn't notice a significant performance degradation when switching from 2 channel down mix to multi-channel for film watching. Make sure you keep using the higher quality stereo outs for the front pair, and remember to change the pre-amp input to unity gain.

Post by **lejonklou** » 2014-03-12 10:26

macrotech2 wrote:I'm happily using the Oppo 105 as a processor with its internal volume control.

Ok! Forget my comment, I haven't experimented much with the Oppo.

fatjulio · Post by **fatjulio** » 2014-03-13 01:56

tokenbrit wrote:
rowlandhills wrote:From my own perspective, I'd be happy with multi-channel analogue in&out (I'd be happy with 6 channel, but the market would probably want 8, to support 7.1 surround) and allowing my BluRay player to do the decoding.

fatjulio wrote:In and out should be enough. I've been using an Oppo 105 to do the decoding and send analogue out. Would individual channel level offsets count as processing? I currently have 5.1, so 6 channels would do for me, but like rowlandhills said, 7.1 may be required for general consumption.
Curious why multi-channel analogue is needed over & above the optional unity gain on one input. I was planning to add an Oppo 105 and just use the Tundra preamp's unity gain input for stereo L/R, then use the Oppo's volume control, channel steering and any bass management for any DVDs. Otherwise the DS will take care of CDs (ripped, of course) What am I missing if you both feel the need for multi-channel analogue? Is it just the superior volume control in the Tundra &/or ease of use?
It's tough enough waiting on the 4 channel preamp, let alone waiting longer for a multi-channel version as replacement for my AK/0 ;)

It's about performance for me, and simplicity. One box to do switching and volume. I'm running all my sources (no turntable) into the Oppo to do the analogue conversion, so would only need the one multi channel input group. I've been experimenting with the internal volume, it's okay. I think a proper pre amp should sound better though. I've got a Kisto, but that's making it sound a bit dull and thick by comparison.

tokenbrit · Post by **tokenbrit** » 2014-03-13 05:56

fatjulio wrote:It's about performance for me, and simplicity. One box to do switching and volume. I'm running all my sources (no turntable) into the Oppo to do the analogue conversion, so would only need the one multi channel input group. I've been experimenting with the internal volume, it's okay. I think a proper pre amp should sound better though. I've got a Kisto, but that's making it sound a bit dull and thick by comparison.

If your sources stay plugged into the Oppo for digital to analogue conversion you will have 2 boxes, won't you: Oppo for switching; preamp for volume? That would tie in with your one multi-channel group comment... I'm surprised that you find the Kisto to be dull and thick. Is that for digital to analogue conversion duties, or for switching & volume control? The Kisto was meant to be the equal (or better?) than the first Klimax Kontrol (pre dynamik)
In my case the only multi-channel source material I have is concerts & movies on dvds, but most of my listening is to stereo, analogue. In the event of watching movies and listening to multi-channel, I'd prefer to keep DVD control & volume together for simplicity. That's why I planned to take just the Oppo analogue stereo L/R into the Tundra preamp's optional unity gain input, and the other channels from the Oppo straight to the center & surround/rear power amps. If the Oppo's volume control doesn't sound good enough for this, then a multi-channel Tundra preamp would be nice, but would need 3 or 4 analogue inputs as well as a 7.1 group in & out. All that said, personally, I'd sacrifice multi-channel sound quality in favour of optimal stereo performance, but am looking for the best way to combine multi- and 2-channel as I don't have the space or budget for separate dedicated systems.

fatjulio · Post by **fatjulio** » 2014-03-13 10:03

Yes it would be 2 boxes for me, but for others I'm sure it would make it one box. I'm using the Kisto as analogue only, so switching and volume. When I first got it, it was better than anything I'd previously had (almost the whole Linn line up to that point). I guess technology has advanced, it was released over 10 years ago. With the Oppo having volume, it's the first opportunity I've had to hear a source without a pre amp. It's all going into 242's, which have no mercy. Previously I has Espeks, which were very forgiving.