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Adding a preamp

I recently ordered a simple tube preamp to use with my Echofone (I got it on ebay for $145 from http://www.aricaudio.com/Design.php). It is a very basic preamp with a volume control that allows me to boost the signal going into the Echofone, and it seems to accomplish just what I wanted: to have a wider usable range with the Echofone.

On very low level material (a lot of classical music seems to have been mastered at low levels) I can now boost the output enough to still be able to hear an effect with the Echofone, whereas before I would not hear anything even with the Echofone volume maxed out. And of course as would be expected, on material with a higher recording level I can now more easily drive the Echofone to the point of distortion. As I mentioned in my review, because I use a computer as a kind of jukebox, I am used to having to adjust the volume once in a while to accommodate the different recording levels of the music on my hard drive. So it is not really a big deal to then adjust the Echofone to boost or reduce the effect. It turns out that I only have to adjust the output every once in a while as there is a lot of music in my collection that is roughly at the same level. It is only when a song comes on very soft or very loud that I end up fiddling for a few seconds with the dials, before settling back down to enjoy the beautiful sound of music. Much of the time, I can just set it and forget it.

Andy has also told me there is a new version coming out with slightly higher output power, and he is going to upgrade my unit for free. I look forward to hearing the new version with a little more output to see if that helps also. Anytime you have more power on tap, in general the sound quality even at lower volumes could be better. That is why I suggested an audiophile version to Andy, although I am not so sure there really is enough of a market to make it worth his while to completely redesign the unit. I was surprised at how little response I have had so far to the review I posted. But I probably should not have been surprised. As someone who likes to try lots of new things, I am always amazed at how most people are much more resistant to new ideas or approaches. If it is too weird or different, they automatically tend to reject it.

But of course I am just as automatic in my embrace of the latest greatest thing! Thanks to the Echofone for keeping my faith in " the newest thing" alive. I am really enjoying the Echofone.




Edits: 01/05/08

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  • Adding a preamp - Nirmala 10:38:53 12/30/07 (0)

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