Pre amp

[Duck-Twacy]

Hi,

Is the Plinius CD-LAD a good pre-amp for a Aleph5?

http://www.pliniusaudio.com/pro/pro04.htm

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Or will I be better of with one of Nelsons designs

(I ask this because I have an oppertunity to buy one cheap)

 

[halojoy]

Go on - BUY!

I shouldn't hesitate to buy such an PreAmp
if I got it for little money.
To say that Pass Amplifiers or any other Power Amplifier
requires a Special Pre, is in my opinion wrong.

A good HiFi Pre Amplifier fits most Power amps,
they may be Tube Bipolar or MOS.

Here you also get a remote control
and Plinius is certainly a very good Amplifier Brand.
So, if I had the money - I would buy it INSTANTLY.

Here is link to Owners Manual PDF(20 pages):

CD-LAD Mk II - Owners Manual

/halo

 

[Duck-Twacy]

Thanks, I'm talking of half price. Still 1500 euro.

Is it it a good match and worth the extra money compared to e.g. the balanced line stage http://web.vip.hr/pcb-design.vip/bls.html ?

 

[Mark A. Gulbrandsen]

If I were you I would spend the money on parts and build an ultimate version of one of the Pass designs. I think you will find that it may be far better sounding. Easy to do a remote control too!
Mark

 

[halojoy]

Thanks, I'm talking of half price. Still 1500 euro.

Is it it a good match and worth the extra money compared to e.g. the balanced line stage http://web.vip.hr/pcb-design.vip/bls.html ?

Well, I thought of asking that:
If there was a balanced output.
Some power amps are thought of using balanced input
as a first alternative. Then it could be a slight advantage
if the pre amp has such output.

If we are talking ONLY Pass Power Amps, there are models of both kinds. For either balanced or unbalanced input.

But I would rather buy a REAL HIGH END, such as Plinius
even if it was unbalanced,
instead of some other LESS HIGH END balanced.
There is always ways to overcome or convert
so the system will work well.

Plinius is known for their SUPERLIKED CLASS A amplifiers.
As most Pass Amps are Class A,
I think there is no doubt it would be a good match.
-----------------------------------------------

To think in another way:
If now you get such a good price on this Plinius CD-LAD.
And you buy it for half the price.
Then you want to sell it.
I would bet MANY guys at this site, and elsewhere,
should stand in line for to buy
that amplifier for SAME MONEY or even more!
So you can't lose any MONEY, as I see it!
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What I have read several times, is that Peter Thomson
the constructor is a Real Gentleman, always ready
to listen to and help customers, who uses his designs.
This is not too usual in buisness life.

Here is 5 reviews of Plinius CD-LAD, by customers!
Not by audio shops, that want to sell.

Plinius CD-LAD Reviews
----------------------------------------------------------

I made a search on word "Plinius" and checked "show as posts".
This is one of the posts,
by GRollins - one of the most regarded of our members
he is a designer himself.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=716&highlight=Plinius#post716

GRollins:
"I am scrupulous about withholding opinion on circuits I haven't heard. Haven't heard the Plinius, but would like to, as I've seen some decent reviews from people whose ears I respect. However, no one within shouting distance has one, so I guess I'll have to wait."


/halo - a real New Zealand fan - thanks to Peter Thomson