I often
have the question on a versatile, reliable and not least a very good
sounding pre-amp. Not easy! I can point to my own transformer coupled
WOT tube pre-amplifier, but this is serious DIY and not an option for
most. I love my
EAR pre-amps as well, but these are serious
money.
Not only should this pre-amp sound good, it should be able to run a
pair of stereo power amplifiers for bi-amping speakers, and
preferably it should run in balanced mode, because some plate amps
run in balanced mode, and I'll be launching more speaker systems
using the phenomenal Hypex digital plate amps, eliminating the need
for an additional power amp and passive crossover for the bass
drivers.
The Audio-gd
NFB-1AMP is such a pre-amp. The sound is the closest I've come to my
tube pre-amp and is highly recommended if you want flexibility in
terms of music source components, CD/DAC/phono-stage, and at the
other end the ability to run one or more power amps in single ended
or balanced mode. To run two power amps in balanced mode you simply
buy an XLR splitter to provide double outputs. You get this for 5-6
£/ea on eBay. Same price I pay for a single XLR plug here in DK...
The NFB-1AMP also comes in a version with in-built DAC (NFB28) in
case you just have a computer on the input side. Should you buy
directly it's 485 USD, a complete steel for the money. There are a
number of dealers in Europe and from Holland it's 599 EUR +
optional remote control and additional gain. If you have a balanced
power amp of 26 dB gain, 16 dB is enough. To be on the safe side,
I'd pick +3 dB gain.
The NFB-1AMP has both single-ended and
balanced input and outputs beside its special ACSS output meant for
Audio-gd's power amplifiers. The ACSS (mini-XLR) is a current based
signal and should be mated with a power amp built for such
application. Find details on the Audio-gd
website.
I can't tell you how this pre-amp sounds as
you'll only know once you've heard it yourself, but all the usual
superlatives goes with this pre-amp, smooth, detailed, transparent,
firm bass, etc. Compared to my transformer coupled tube pre-amp it's
only a fraction behind in overall soundstage and holographic
presentation.
Check specs here:
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1AMP/NFB1AMPEN_Use.htm
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