CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

well not really, but this product reminded me of the Moome card and who knows, maybe these guys know each other. I mean there's only 2 Billion people in China, they might even be neighbors Laughing

This is my review of the Little Bear tubed Phono pre-amp from China. All tin-eared CD listeners need go no further, this thread is not for you , Wink

A buddy Of mine bought this and shipped it to me cuz I'm the worlds biggest skeptic and wasn't willing to try it. It's a fully tube valved phono pre-amp. Uses one 6Z4 tube on the power supply side? , and three 12AX7 on the audio side (maybe) . Not 100% sure, haven't really looked at the circuit. It came as a pseudo kit, you basically assembly the acrylic box around the PCB,hook up the DC power leads from the Transformer, and push the tubes into their sockets. My 12 year old son actually put it together.

To be honest I wasn't expecting much, I helped a guy build a US sourced kit many years ago called Haggerman Coronet and that was $120. for the PCB/instructions, $125. for the sheet-metal box, and about $400. in parts and vacuum tubes. I machined the box for free but it was still a $700. phono pre-amp.

So for $155. delivered from China for a complete phon-pre, I wasn't expecting much, if anything. I was wrong. This is a really nice sounding unit, it blew away my " made in the USA Bellari" pre-amp hands down. The highs are more extended, actually sounds louder, but is also smoother at the same time. Bass is hugely improved, with more extension but also near perfect delineation between Bass Guitar, bass drum, and other low frequencies like key-boards and such.
Last and most of all, even though my Bellari had a single tube in it, and I've had a fully tubed integrated amp before, this was the first time a component delivered what audiophiles describe as a "liquid mid-range" to my 2-channel system. The mid-range is really smooth, like Nutella spread over warm bakery bread, really sweet on the ears. I haven't even burned in the tubes yet so I expect it will just get better. If your running a cheap little metal box from Project, Music Hall, sumiko, Bellari and the like, do yourself a favor and grab this for $155., it's a no-brainer. Thumbs Up

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301312034227?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Interesting!

I wonder how it sounds compared to the Phono input on my HH Scott 299C Tube integrated amp.

Nashou

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

don't know, but traditionally built-in phono--pre's have typically run the " pretty bad to OK" range. The Bellari was a considered a "good" unit and for the money was voted by stereophile as " budget equipment of the year" many years ago. I know it was a little better than built in unit on my Denon 3805.
For 150 bucks it's too cheap to pass-up, you'll get that much fun out of it and can re-sell it easily enough.

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

I wish they sold just the PC board.

Maybe I can ask.

Nashou

jask · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 10187 Location: kamloops BC

CIR Engineering · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:33 pm Post subject:

Looks really interesting, but no MC support so I'm out. I wonder how it sounds compared to my solid state Acurus P10.

craigr

the big E · Joined: 20 Apr 2013 Posts: 1928 Location: speedwell Tn.

Rats I just checked the link and it shows it as being sold out

I have been wanting to get into records as I have just about every format there is(I do have some records but no turn table bummer)

I will be getting one as that's cheap for sure(when it's back in stock)