New Toy: Von Gaylord Preamp and Burson AB160

I got a 12AU7 based preamp this week made by Von Gaylord, but I am not 100% sure.
I've been told that it was made back in 1993. I cannot find any information on this preamp, but I've decided to jump on it based on its simple design. It's my assumption that it has very high output impedance, I had went ahead with a Burson AB-160. Visually similar LAD-L1 has output impedance of 5k.

The preamp is very quiet and offers clean & big sound stage.
My current idea is to tryout some different capacitors by installing a pair of terminal blocks.
Here are some pics.

Attachment 6880

Attachment 6881

JRA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrhymeammo

I got a 12AU7 based preamp this week made by Von Gaylord, but I am not 100% sure.
I've been told that it was made back in 1993. I cannot find any information on this preamp, but I've decided to jump on it based on its simple design. It's my assumption that it has very high output impedance, I had went ahead with a Burson AB-160. Visually similar LAD-L1 has output impedance of 5k.

The preamp is very quiet and offers clean & big sound stage.
My current idea is to tryout some different capacitors by installing a pair of terminal blocks.
Here are some pics.

Attachment 6881

JRA

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Ah! Now there is simplicity! The inside of my Sonic Frontiers Line 1 is a different picture: here are a couple:

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/...ne1_inside.jpg

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/...ne1-inside.jpg

Hey Bill,

That was my impression as well. I still can't believe how simple it is. It almost looks completely balanced as well, but not sure. I cannot find any information on this Preamp, and I'm starting to think this is just some DIY gear made by someone. Whatever it maybe, it sounds great and I'm enjoying it very much.

What is that blue toggle switch on a bottom of your 2nd pic?
Thanks fo your pics,

JRA

Nice pick up JRA, enjoy the music!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrhymeammo

I cannot find any information on this preamp, but I've decided to jump on it based on its simple design.

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Simple is often better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrhymeammo

It's my assumption that it has very high output impedance, I had went ahead with a Burson AB-160. Visually similar LAD-L1 has output impedance of 5k.

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5k ohms? Holy cow! That's higher than many CDPs run through attenuators.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrhymeammo

My current idea is to tryout some different capacitors by installing a pair of terminal blocks.

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Some teflon caps should work nicely.

rw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by E-Stat

5k ohms? Holy cow! That's higher than many CDPs run through attenuators.

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Problem is I cannot find any information on this linestage. Similar unit, Legend Audio LAD-L1 Line Stage Preamp, is said to have 5k output impedance. This is why I had to get a Burson Buffer.
But it sounds very good so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by E-Stat

Some teflon caps should work nicely.

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Even if it sounds good I got to mess with it. After all I only paid ridiculous amount of $275.

Do you think I will have more impact changing out of the caps on tube sockets or existing Solen caps? I'm no expert, but I believe Solen Caps are only there to attenuate my output.

JRA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrhymeammo

Do you think I will have more impact changing out of the caps on tube sockets or existing Solen caps? I'm no expert, but I believe Solen Caps are only there to attenuate my output.

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The Solens coupling caps are what you would replace. Every tube preamp requires them and it is there where the differences lie. A pair of teflon caps might double your investment, but improve the sound quality.

rw

Thanks E,

I'll probably go for something like Dynamicap and not go overboard like V-Cap.
But for now, I'm going to enjoy it for what it is.