Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

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Zee9
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Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Zee9 »

Hello lovely people......

Its a great feeling to have finally acquired a Lejonklou product. I was shocked at first listen and now have new problems in life to better the bedroom system. Here are the details:

Speakers: Kan II's
Interconnects: Linn Silvers
Speaker cables: k400 (split so as that they are a single cable feeding each passive speaker. k200?)
Minimum inputs required for the bedroom: streaming (qobuz/spotify/access to minim server) and 1 analog input or airplay. (my wife loves her online yoga classes on her MacBook pro but prefers the sound through the kans hence we need an analog input from her MacBook or airplay works)

Source:
Option 1: ** Macbook pro via Schiit modi3+ This takes care of all the streaming requirements and my airport express also connects to it via tousling but no volume control if i use the schiit modi :(

Other options:

1. Majik dsm/3 (not so sure about the DVC)
2. Selekt DSM katalyst (line out modules only)
3. Akurate Kontrol (>2010)
4. Bluesound Node 2 (on loan)
**5. Geek pulse headphone amp** - https://lhlabs.freshdesk.com/support/so ... geek-pulse
**6. Old Kairn (Toroidal or the newest Black Slimline PSU)
**7. Unidisk SC (an airport express would be connected to the unidisk SC via toslink for streaming functions via airplay)

So here's the scenario. the only real estate available at the moment is a small area on my work desk where the majik-i sits now. (photo attached) the tundra that i just bought fits there but anything else will either have to be placed above or below the Tundra. i know that stacking is not advise but im hoping to remedy that soon.

Above are my choices for a preamp/source and im hoping you can direct me in the right direction so as to what would be a good or maybe the best fit as a preamp for the tundra. The ones marked ** are already owned by me so obviously i can test those by ear. i'm not so sure about the geek pulse as i remember reading something about dc voltage preamps etc being a NO-NO so im too scared to even try that with the tundra. Ive added a link to their manual incase anyone thinks its safe to try that with the tundra.

The fear i have is after listening to what the Tundra did being fed by our adsm/3, i only want more of that. i think avoiding the DVC of the adsm/3 would be even better. i know everyones first suggestion is going to be a boazu / or a Sagatun but that's out of my budget and hardly any available on the used market at the moment, as we just bought Exakt Kat Akubariks for our main system
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LR: LP12/Selekt/Tundra 2.5/kabers
BR: WiiM/Tundra 2.2/Kan II
Studio: Genki/Kairn/5105/Kabers+RelT7i
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by springwood64 »

Pete

Linn Axis, Kinki, Källa (GS308T+Amplifi HD x 2 + BJC), Boazu, Espeks
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by springwood64 »

How about a wall shelf to sit the pre on, instead of stacking on the amp
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Tendaberry »

What about selling all those products with ** and bying one Lejonklou Giella (∏)? It has only one input, but maybe you could live with that?
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Zee9 »

springwood64 wrote: 2022-10-26 17:12 How about Lejonklou kikkin: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155220115533 ... media=COPY
I saw that already but it’s 230v. Is that yours?
LR: LP12/Selekt/Tundra 2.5/kabers
BR: WiiM/Tundra 2.2/Kan II
Studio: Genki/Kairn/5105/Kabers+RelT7i
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by springwood64 »

Zee9 wrote: 2022-10-26 19:07 I saw that already but it’s 230v. Is that yours?
No, not mine. I just came across it after reading your post.
Pete

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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Spannko »

Charlie1 has had great results with a Wakonda which should be relatively easy for you to find, or you could contact ThomasOK (the US distributor)to see if he knows of a Kikin available to buy locally.
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by lejonklou »

springwood64 wrote: 2022-10-26 17:12 How about Lejonklou kikkin: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155220115533 ... media=COPY
Cool, Kikkin number 0001!

Close to 14 years since I made it and on Sunday exactly 12 years since I upgraded it to version 2.2.

Seller doesn’t seem to know it’s a 2.2.

Can’t be converted to a North American version, I’m afraid.

OK, back to working on the project that will solve Zee9’s problem.
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Zee9 »

So a selekt classik with Dynamik and katalyst should be reaching me soon to demo. At first it will be tried as an Exakt transport for the main system (kat akubariks exakt) if it’s not as good as an akurate Exakt transport it will be moved to the bedroom to drive the Kan II’s with the newly aquired tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

I won’t get to demo another Adsm/1 that’s been offered to me but I’m assuming the newer selekt might sound better than the Adsm/1 (without katalyst) Ofcourse the Adsm/1 is a LOT cheaper. Almost half the price cheaper. The other concern I have with the older Adam’s is that -12/-24 db on volume control etc.

Has anyone compared these two as a source for the tundra 2.2.
Any suggestions?
LR: LP12/Selekt/Tundra 2.5/kabers
BR: WiiM/Tundra 2.2/Kan II
Studio: Genki/Kairn/5105/Kabers+RelT7i
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Zee9 »

I’ve found a temporary solution for the tundra. It may surprise most of you but this is the best sound I’ve heard so far until I can get my hands on a sagatun stereo or a klimax kontrol/1.

It’s a simple Wiim mini feeding a Schiit Modi 3+ to the tundra 2.2 and the Kan II’s.

This Setup outdid a Unidisk SC, a kairn and a mdsm/3.

Probably sounds unbelievable to most of you.
LR: LP12/Selekt/Tundra 2.5/kabers
BR: WiiM/Tundra 2.2/Kan II
Studio: Genki/Kairn/5105/Kabers+RelT7i
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Matteo »

Zee9 wrote: 2023-01-29 15:19 Probably sounds unbelievable to most of you.
Not to me.

In the next months I'm going to do some experiments with streamer transports into an analogue pre / dac (Exposure XM7 / XM HP, € 1,800).

On my shortlist there are: Wiim Pro (€ 199), Bluesound Node (€ 600), Primare NP5 Prisma II (€ 500), and Lindemann Bridge II (€ 800).

The above indicated prices are for new units, but I'll only looking for used devices.

The target is to get rid of the ADSM/3 and use the funds left over for the Radikal 2 / Utopik upgrades.

M.
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Sopper »

I settled for a Linn Majik DS (first generation)as source (because it works so easy) and RME Adi 2 dac
Due to the RME Adi 2 dac, I haven’t been interested in other sources…
Until, I read about KÄLLA…
KÄLLA > Sagatun Mono 1.7 > Tundra Mono 3.0 > Graham LS8/1F
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by willem kuis »

Hi Sopper,
If you want you can come over and listen to mine
You won’t believe your ears…
Källa 1.0 # Sagatun 1.7 # Tundra 2.5 # Spec RSA 901-EX # Harbeth Super HL5+XD # REL Strata III
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Sopper »

willem kuis wrote: 2023-02-24 06:54 Hi Sopper,
If you want you can come over and listen to mine
You won’t believe your ears…
Thanks for the offer, but I’ll get 1 to borrow from Marco today
Btw, i see you have the XD from Harbeths, did you have had the chance to compare them with the previous version? I’d yes, did they improve?
KÄLLA > Sagatun Mono 1.7 > Tundra Mono 3.0 > Graham LS8/1F
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by willem kuis »

Hi Sopper,

No, I have not compared the XD’s with the 40th Anniversary.

I compared them with C7 XD’s and my former C7 ES-3’s that I traded in for the 5XD’s.
C7 XD’s are very good, but the 5 XD’s are even more impressive. The Harbeth 5 XD’s sound bigger, bolder and more like the real thing: they offer a stunning musical live-like performance even in my big room of > 75 sqm with my relatively “weak” Tundra Stereo’s 2.5.

I have never had a more enjoyable and musical combo than before.

Enjoy the Källa!
Last edited by willem kuis on 2023-02-28 11:23, edited 1 time in total.
Källa 1.0 # Sagatun 1.7 # Tundra 2.5 # Spec RSA 901-EX # Harbeth Super HL5+XD # REL Strata III
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by teatime »

Sopper wrote: 2023-02-23 18:19 I settled for a Linn Majik DS (first generation)as source (because it works so easy) and RME Adi 2 dac
Due to the RME Adi 2 dac, I haven’t been interested in other sources…
So.. you're saying the RME is good? It ended up on my shortlist when I was investigating one-box replacements for my current Windows PC external dac/headphone amp combo.. I mostly use it for general audio, but if there happens to be music it's always interesting to hear about other products that can carry a tune. :)
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Sopper »

teatime wrote: 2023-02-27 16:14
Sopper wrote: 2023-02-23 18:19 I settled for a Linn Majik DS (first generation)as source (because it works so easy) and RME Adi 2 dac
Due to the RME Adi 2 dac, I haven’t been interested in other sources…
So.. you're saying the RME is good? It ended up on my shortlist when I was investigating one-box replacements for my current Windows PC external dac/headphone amp combo.. I mostly use it for general audio, but if there happens to be music it's always interesting to hear about other products that can carry a tune. :)
It is a very good dac, yes
When I was testing HAKAI, I also tested this dac with music clips recordings
Akurate DSM coupled with the RME Adi 2 was more musical then using the internal dac of the Linn
KÄLLA > Sagatun Mono 1.7 > Tundra Mono 3.0 > Graham LS8/1F
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by teatime »

Sopper wrote: 2023-02-27 17:29 It is a very good dac, yes
When I was testing HAKAI, I also tested this dac with music clips recordings
Akurate DSM coupled with the RME Adi 2 was more musical then using the internal dac of the Linn
Thanks for that info! Always interesting to know of decent alternatives!

And sorry for veering slightly off topic. :)
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by Azazello »

lejonklou wrote: 2022-10-26 20:06
OK, back to working on the project that will solve Zee9’s problem.
Would you care to elaborate? :)
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by lejonklou »

Azazello wrote: 2023-03-01 16:12
lejonklou wrote: 2022-10-26 20:06
OK, back to working on the project that will solve Zee9’s problem.
Would you care to elaborate? :)
I was thinking about Superkikkin.

Circuit is now final. I will update you all tonight, if I can make it.
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by tpetsch »

lejonklou wrote: 2023-03-01 16:35
Azazello wrote: 2023-03-01 16:12
lejonklou wrote: 2022-10-26 20:06
OK, back to working on the project that will solve Zee9’s problem.
Would you care to elaborate? :)
I was thinking about Superkikkin.

Circuit is now final. I will update you all tonight, if I can make it.
How about an Entity with a volume control? ...You ever give any thought to a project like that?
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by lejonklou »

tpetsch wrote: 2023-03-01 18:11
lejonklou wrote: 2023-03-01 16:35
Azazello wrote: 2023-03-01 16:12

Would you care to elaborate? :)
I was thinking about Superkikkin.

Circuit is now final. I will update you all tonight, if I can make it.
How about an Entity with a volume control? ...You ever give any thought to a project like that?
No, I haven’t. You want one?

The main complaint about Kikkin, back when it was made, was that there was only one input. To a few, it was enough, but most wanted at least one more. That’s why Superkikkin has two inputs.

Entity would sound worse if it was also powering a volume control, that is unless the volume part had its own power supply. So it would need a bigger case and separate power supplies. And then if you wanted to add another source? Not possible, unless you add a preamp. And then you’d no longer have any use for that volume control.

Just thinking out loud here and am curious about your thoughts.
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by tpetsch »

lejonklou wrote: 2023-03-01 21:18
tpetsch wrote: 2023-03-01 18:11
lejonklou wrote: 2023-03-01 16:35
I was thinking about Superkikkin.

Circuit is now final. I will update you all tonight, if I can make it.
How about an Entity with a volume control? ...You ever give any thought to a project like that?
No, I haven’t. You want one?

The main complaint about Kikkin, back when it was made, was that there was only one input. To a few, it was enough, but most wanted at least one more. That’s why Superkikkin has two inputs.

Entity would sound worse if it was also powering a volume control, that is unless the volume part had its own power supply. So it would need a bigger case and separate power supplies. And then if you wanted to add another source? Not possible, unless you add a preamp. And then you’d no longer have any use for that volume control.

Just thinking out loud here and am curious about your thoughts.
My thoughts are a high quality phonostage -which is a quasi pre-amp- straight to amp, bypassing the need for a preamp altogether, keeping it simple, less stuff to get in the way, one less interconnect and so on, just a mute switch perhaps. ...But I totally agree that you'd probably only sell a few to dedicated vinyl listeners like myself, Superkikkin is also a neat idea FWIW.
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by matthias »

lejonklou wrote: 2023-03-01 21:18 That’s why Superkikkin has two inputs.
I assume there is no input switch similar to Boazu?
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Re: Pre-amplifiers/streamers for my newly acquired Tundra 2.2 Tarandus.

Post by lejonklou »

matthias wrote: 2023-03-02 07:36
lejonklou wrote: 2023-03-01 21:18 That’s why Superkikkin has two inputs.
I assume there is no input switch similar to Boazu?
No, it’s a mechanical switch on Superkikkin.
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