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In Reply to: RE: I prefer a transformer volume control (TVC), like my Music First Baby Reference. posted by Sprezza Tura on February 28, 2015 at 18:28:55
When you own one, you understand why.
These units each require hours of costly, highly-skilled labor. I recall Harry O'Sullivan telling me about 16 hours' labor for each one.
There is no way for the manufacturer to ramp up production. No incentive for the manufacturer to offer a traditional 40 or 50 points dealer discount or run expensive ads when everything he makes get sold anyway.
There is, generally, no way for a prospective buyer to audition one in his system without buying it first. Unless you know someone who owns one.
You seldom see reviews. I paid in advance for my unit. But I had heard an earlier version in my system so I knew what I was getting and why I wanted it.
You might have to wire funds to the UK.
Somewhere, probably made in Asia, there may be comparable units for much less. The Django TVC preamp from Hong Kong might be such a product.
Meanwhile, setting TVC aside, Placette Audio appears to offer excellent performance and value in a more traditional passive.
There's a joker in the pack; the $49 Schiit Audio SYS volume control/source selector can destroy a schiitty run-of-the-mill solid state active preamp, Fun to have.
Follow Ups:
This is the problem I have - I want to hear the baby Reference here in Hong Kong but I have to buy it first. One advantage it has for a traveler like myself is that there is no worry over voltage.The preamp I am leaning toward presently is the Audio Note M6 Phono and I know the Baby Reference is very good since Warren Jarrett caries the AN preamps as well as the Music First Line.
I am in the gleaning information stage - transparency tick versus the big body and full blooded dynamics of the active (additive or not - it's the end result). I can compare the AN's rather easily since the dealer in HK is their biggest. The M6 and Empress Silvers dropped my jaw - I wasn't expecting that from 2A3.
The MFA though would save some large dollars that I could put elsewhere. I have not been impressed with any passives in the past however - they have sounded thin, lacking dynamics and body and texture and colour - it sounds like an X-ray of the music. Lots of steal on the string and nothing else. And while some say they're open and that that X-Ray sound is more accurate it is headache inducing to me
The same terms used to describe SS and I can't think of a single solid state amplifier that truly does it for me.
Edits: 03/07/15
Every thing you say about Music First is 100% accurate.
But it is still a massive inconvenience to purchase and or audition.
As good as it is, and it is outstanding, it is too high risk a purchase to buy without hearing it your system.
A few more should get honorable mention:
The CIAudio PLC-MK11:$900
Luminous Audio Axiiom: Approx $600 depending on configuration
Townshend Audio TVC: $1800?
Tisbury Audio Mini Passive: $300
Soft One passive: $600?
there are others too.
TVC's have their advantages for sure, but the expense make them tough choices.
No Schiit Audio SYS volume control/source selector? $49!!!
The exchange was specifically about Music First products.
Have it your way but $49!
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