guys, i read this from pinoydiophiles...this is ganjaman's review of the WS pre-amp...thanks!
Let me preface this by saying that I don’t consider myself to be an Audiophile in the strict sense. I’ve owned various audio gear from car to HT to 2-Channel. I collect CD’s and can’t do without music. I browse this site any many others like this a lot. Not really sure what that makes me. In any case, I’ve read many a review on various types of equipment and they invariably fall into one of the following:
1) Written by Audiophiles for Audiophiles
2) Written by Audiophiles for Newbies
3) Written by Newbies for Audiophiles :x
4) Written by Newbies for Newbies. :roll:
Since I’m not comfortable doing the first 2, let me skip the third and go straight to the bottom. This is not so much a review as it is a run-down of my experience with this component thus far. I promised a friend I'd try to do this so here goes...
I have been on the hunt for a reasonably priced tube preamp for sometime now. Having listened to a tube system in a buddy’s house sometime early this year, I felt MY path to sonic nirvana would have to include some type of tube in it. I started with a MF X-10D in between my CDP and HT receiver and my determination to have a tube in there somewhere merely grew. Having an OK SS power amplifier lying around the house from an earlier foray into audio led me to think – Maybe a tube pre and SS power could be just my ticket to a cost effective experiment into tube sound.
How does one audition a preamp? Given the significance of the amplifier, source and speakers – not to mention cabling – in the entire chain, how does one isolate the sonic qualities/benefits of a preamp alone? The proof of the pudding is in the packaging as they say. Thus, I looked at features instead. Phono stage, tone controls, multiple inputs, remote, gold plated RCA’s. Etc… Damn, these things can be expensive. What of those do I really need? This hunt is proving to be quite a challenge. Let me tell you, you'll be hard pressed to find a tube pre under Php15k that does not need restoration work or that hasn't been a victim of domestic violence. Even abroad, you can probably get one but you'll have to ship it home, spend dollars then assemble it pa yourself.
Well, as fate would have it, before I could purchase preamp, I managed to buy a classic tube amplifier that came with a passive line stage. I took the sucker home and thus, I felt, my hunt had ended. I not only have tubes in my system but nearly tube system in itself. Completo na.
Browsing through WS one day I come across this announcement for an assembled preamp for a bargain price of US$150. My curiosity was piqued not because I needed one but because my previous search was unfulfilled. Having combed the city for a preamp in my budget proved to be quite a challenge and here comes one now that I don’t really need it. I thought to myself, here’s a DIY (not by me though) project with no reviews just specs and a rundown of the parts used. I know nothing about Auricaps and the like. I didn't know what to expect. Buying this, FWIW, would take a leap of faith and leap I did. I ended up number 9 on their list. Anyway, terms naman with money back guarantee pa. My leap was more of like Bungee jumping then.
A month passes then the announcement comes… Ready for pick up Nov 15. Am I excited, not really. I had been spending some coin lately and did not think I really needed it. Anyway, reserved na so might as well give it a try. One Sunday afternoon, a fellow WS friend and I headed off to Ortigas to pick up our units. My friend and I wanted to hang out a bit more with the guys but the anxiousness of taking this thing home proved to be hard to resist. Off we went…
I tried to be methodical in my approach. I said I’d play 3 of my fave songs first to recall the passive line stage and then warm up the pre and play the same songs. One and three-fourths of a song later, I yanked the passive off and plugged the pre. I couldn’t wait. Forget the 3 songs, forget the warm up, lets get to the main course.
First off, walking backwards to the sofa after loading a CD, my chest already felt that thump. There was something here. There more of everything, the system played louder too. At 10 0’clock volume in my little room, the sound filled the place. Anything playing loud will give you detail. Given the time, I turned it down a bit thinking the detail would likewise blur a bit. Nope...still around.
My amp could really have used a bit lower end and there it was. That was the first thing that grabbed me. I thought I was in for some critical listening to get to appreciate the preamp but found myself laying down on the couch with the lights on relaxing. Why? I didn’t have to try so hard to pay attention to the details. They were there wherever I sat (or lay). No eyes closed, no sitting up straight, no turn off the lights… Detail, detail, detail – that’s what I got.
Soundstage remained about the same but the artists seem like they stepped up to the mike a bit. I played Jacintha’s Moon River and the piano keys were struck with a bit more force. I played Dire Straits’ Your Latest Trick live and I could hear the crowd chanting rhythmically for the first time. I thought they were just cheering at first. I have a better sense of the front and back of the recording, not just the left and right of it. It was getting late and I had a busy Monday so off it had to go. I went to bed with a feeling of satisfaction not unlike being bumped up to business class for free - on a long haul to NY. For the price i paid, I know i robbed somebody, just not sure who...
So far, I’ve had this burning in for about 40 hrs, having listened for about 8 hrs and played a bit with my interconnects. Thus far, I feel that the gain in the mids and lows have evened out more. I used to have more gain in the just highs and lows – not so much the mids. Now, vocals are more involving even off-axis or just low level ambient listening. Bass isn’t as much now as when it was new but when its there, its much better behaved. For the visually oriented, Did I go from black and white to colored TV? No, not really. More like rear projection to flat TV.
Overall, I’m pretty happy I bought this for the following reasons; I can listen at lower volume and still get the detail I want. I get more detail with warmth uncompromised. My redbook CD’s sound better and I save money as I can put off a front-end upgrade. The gain I get has made listening to vocals more involving without it being in your face. The wider range and dynamics won’t make me want to upgrade my amp for some time. For the grand price of P8,250 – I’ve made my money back already. Suffice it to say that I’ll be begging off on that money back offer. Generous, but no need.
As far as reviews go, there are always cons that need to be mentioned. In my case, its tough to pinpoint. Do I need tone controls, no because I find things tonally balanced as they are. Do I need more than 2 inputs, again no - tuner and CD is all i have. Do I need a Phono stage, not right now. Could the power switch be in front, no - i don't like the clutter. In fact, as much as i am a slave to remotes, I find I don't really need it. On dynamic passages, the music remains poised and non fatiguing. No need to turn it down. Rather, let me tell you how you can get more out of this. 1) Label the RCA's/Input and selector switch - makes life easier 2) Upgrade your power cord if you can afford it. 3) try out some other tubes AFTER you've familiarized yourself with the existing ones.
I hope this helps those on the fence wondering if this is just the thing to bring that romantic tube sound into your home. After having received some SMS messages over the weekend requesting feedback from prospective buyers, I felt my comments may be timely given the rise in demand. As I’ve said, I’ll leave the expert reviews to the experts (who else). Of course, my thanks to the guys of WS for making this available to the likes of us. Salamat at Mabuhay!
Equipment used (like a true audiophile
):
NAD 502 cdp
Rivo Dynaco ST-70
B&K ST-140
Passive line stage using Alps Black 100K
Kimber PBJ's CD to Pre, Pre to Amp
VdH D102 Mk 2 - Pre to Amp
Vandersteen 1b/Spica TC-60 (on loan)
Dire Straits - (Best of, HDCD)
Jacintha - Autumn Leaves
Jacques Lossier Trio Telarc - Vivaldi
Sting - All this time
Frank Sinatra/Carlos Jobim
And by now, practically half my CD collection...
P.S. Usual disclaimers apply, this is in my room, my ears, my neighborhood, my couch, my snacks etc...
