First Pre-amp - Trilogy 902 ?

[malcesine]

Been on the prowl for an affordable <<£500 pre-amp to pair with Sunfire 300x2 into Martin Logan SL3.

Never had a pre before but want to try it out as have been using digital volume control from squeezebox touch to date

A vintage Trilogy 902 looks like a possible and I quite like the idea of a valve pre into the current / power monster that is the Sunfire.

the other approach could be volume controlled DAC such as an Audiolab MDAC for similar price

Any thoughts ?

 

[greengoblin]

I'd highly recommend it. I had one for a while. Beautifully built with heavy chrome case, relay switching for source, alps pot volume control wired as shunt, valve rectified, simply valve circuit. I gave me all the typical valve preamp house sound; warm, big soundstage and real size (slightly fuzzy) image and plenty of rhythme.

I lightly modded mine with silver wire, better signal caps and mullard valves and was quite happy. It has quite a bit of gain so need to match power amp carefully, ideally with input sensitivity around 2v.

Not the quietest of pre, and those ecc88 do tends to ring a bit especially when that metal case is tapped. More money buys you more details, sophisticatiopn and general hifi trickery. But this trilogy does good music...

 

[malcesine]

It has quite a bit of gain so need to match power amp carefully, ideally with input sensitivity around 2v

I think my Sunfire input sensitivity = 1.76V

 

[greengoblin]

That'd be a great match. I had trouble previously with an Art audio Diavolo which had a 0.5v input sens I believe. Similar with croft 7 power amp but changing valve altered it to 1v ish and it ran fine

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

SMEagol (Chris) has one, ask him.

 

[malcesine]

SMEagol (Chris) has one, ask him.

thanks Bob, spotted some old threads from Chris on the merits of the 902 and seems like he is a fan

chris, any further musings very welcome !