Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Lumley VTP1000 preamp Amplifier (Tube) by il toro

Model:	VTP1000 preamp
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	Vacuum Tube Preamp
Manufacturer URL:	Lumley

Review by il toro on April 29, 2011 at 06:08:51
IP Address: 86.163.170.99 Add Your Review
for the VTP1000 preamp

I've had Lumley kit in the past, including the Reference power amplifier. Always solidly made, good well-specified British kit sold (I believe) largely in UK/European/Antipodean 220-240v markets), so little known in the USA.

The current line-up is rather more exclusive (read: very pricey) than the original 1990s kit, but lovers of vintage hifi have a lot to enjoy from Lumley gear of this era. Just need to worry with the higher-wattage power amps whether the transformers are getting a bit tired, with accompanying mechanical hum (as was the case with my Reference power amp).

I was lucky enough to come across this little gem of a linestage quite recently. In the 1990s, Lumley made a confusing array of preamps, the majority of them passive, but this active pre is something of an unexpected find. Using a single pair of 12AT7/ECC81 - mine came with milspec CV4024 equivalents, used double triode - it really is a delightful pre.

At this sort of age, at this sort of money, expectations are fairly low but I was surprised at the transparency of this pre which I guess reflects something of Grant Lumley's original design philosophy (which as I said was mainly focused on passives - so neutrality was clearly a big area of focus).

Detailed, punchy, just very slightly to the warm side of neutral, the VTL1000 was seriously at home with blues & jazz, and did a lovely job of the nuances and drama of classical chamber music too. Complex orchestral classical showed a few limitations in handling of complicated orchestral textures, but for its price and its time, you don't expect Kondo performance.

Gain is moderate - there are no official specs to be had as the Lumley company Mk1 predates widespread internet use (the 'new' company is barely any more 'with it' in terms of web presence) - but from comparing it with other line-stages I've had in my system, I would say it's in the 6-10db area - nice competition for a passive pre, with a slight lift available over unity gain, but not for those needing massive additional amplification.

It's a nice looking thing too the inset alu brushed faceplate lifting it from being yet another black box.

Anyway, a lovely surprise, coming across such a sweet vintage gem.

Product Weakness:	May be on the low side for gain in some systems.
Product Strengths:	For a valve pre, transparency and immediacy. Nice soundstage and good clarity.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: VAC KT88 PP
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Pass B1
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Garrard 401, EE DAC
Speakers: Tannoy GRF
Cables/Interconnects: not a believer
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, blues, chamber music
Room Size (LxWxH): 7m x 5m x
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Nordost Thor
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): VAC KT88 pp triode, Tannoy GRF, Garrard 401.

Amplifier:	VAC KT88 PP
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Pass B1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Garrard 401, EE DAC
Speakers:	Tannoy GRF
Cables/Interconnects:	not a believer
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, blues, chamber music
Room Size (LxWxH):	7m x 5m x
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Nordost Thor
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	VAC KT88 pp triode, Tannoy GRF, Garrard 401.