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Review 1 of 3
Price Paid:
$1299.00
from bizzybee web site Summary:
This is my first review here, and its in a similar vein to others on the TAD 150 preamplifier. I purchased this preamplifier with quite a bit of trepidation, since I always want to have some hands on controlled listening with equipment that I am familiar with. For the last 15 years or so, my primary preamplifiers and amplifier have been with Bedini equipment, including a limited editin Bedini control preamplifier that I have owned for 15 years plus some bedini upgrades and modifications that runs off battery power. Bedini has been one of the recommended amplifiers and preamps by Richard Shahinian whose Diapasan and double Eagle Subwoofer I own. If you have not heard this combination which is the majority of you, it is an incredible loudspeaker combination. However it does require a lot of power to bring out the best and it takes amplifiers on ratings of 2ohms or less in some frequency spectrums although nominally a 6 ohm combination. see their website. back to the TAD 150. I had bought, modified volume pod etc the Transcendent Sound Tube Preamplifier, which for the money is a very nice do it yourself kit (Or they can do it for you) Invariably however, and I admit I am new to kits you end up switching tubes, and modifying. But it let me to Tubes, yet I was aware of a deficiency in the Bass and mid bass area at least on my setup although a lot of the nice things about it would be a separate review. It is open, and spacious with excellent highs especially when used with the Bedini, and the thing about tube equipment that I remember from my old Mac and Fisher days was that I did not like the way it seem to make voices sound as though through a cheese cloth, especially in the lower male registry. I had switched from the Transcendent sound to a little, small footpad cheap looking preamp from DCC Audio. You will never buy it on Looks but when you listen to it, it matches the Transcendent preamp in openness with in my humple opinion a much better bass and midrange sound. Its bass sound is awsome and at half the price of the Transcendent preamp. But... for the price, they throw in two cheap volume pods which need to be changed, and the tubes are not top line. changed out however, it kicks. One input, no phono, etc. no remote, i was looking to upgrade. As others have said before me, the great thing about buying from Bizzy Bee is Paul, an extremely knowledgeable, Experienced and Generous with his time individual that it was a pleasure to speak to on numerous ocassions. So I took a gamble and bought a TAD 150 Preamp.
First thing... break it in for a about 40 hours you will hear a difference. I hooked it up to music and let it play using my Musical Concepts Platinum DAC, latest generation, which john Hillig the owner, had made sure i was aware of. Ran through the Bedini and even without breaking in, was distinctly better in several areas in my opinion than its predecesors in my lineup. My better half who puts up with my dallying on equipment, came into the room and enjoyed some music and wine. This was bear in mind not broken in. I could use a lot of terminology, but all I can say was that it was life like in its reproduction. I listen to jazz, Pop and classics and we went through a lot of material. I had an opportunity to buy at a good price a Rogue Audio magnum 88 on ebay, an i brought it in, it didnt work, and the people at Rogue Audio were supernice and fixed it for me and returned it in a week. However it could not handle the load of the Diapaisans and the Double Eagle Subwoofers and the power was short. So I biamped it with the Bedini for Bass and the 88 for the Diapaisans. I compared the phono preamp sectin of the TAD, which is Transistor with several others, and it was excellent but not outstanding. I have recommended to Paul a Phono tube section, but what do you want at this price. Is this the best sounding tube preamp, I kind of doubt it. Even though I bought it with all of Paul's top of the line mods included. If you are looking for the best money can buy, this is not the preamp for you... What it is is certainly where its strong points are:
Its extremely musical, transparent, neutral sounding, and has excellent bass.
It allows multiple inputs and twin outputs. its has an excellent remote control, although mine has a mute button that is not working since I got it, a minor fix but I have not been willing to part with it. I have auditioned many other tube preamps and I do not know of any at three to ten times the price that blow it away. It stays with them, and puts the musician and the singers in the room with you. But I got curious if it sounded so lifelike with the Rogue 88 Magnum and the Bedini 803 combo, what would it sound like with Paul's 1000 monoblocks and also there was the issue of unbalanced power outputs of the Rogue and Bedini not matching. Yes,I bought a pair of these babies and broke them in and listened to music. I'm still listening. so enjoy Strengths:
neutral and balanced preamplifier, where no frequency overwhelms, but at the same time, it is transparent, clear, cymbals are cymbals, snare drums are not pedal drums, great soundstage. and very good bass. For the money in my humble opinion unbeatable unless DCC Audio decides to upgrade their equipment and go upmarket, which they are talking about. by the way the cosmetics and finish are excellent and unique with the twin lights , although some people may find them distracting. It is a well made preamp inside and out. Weaknesses:
well there was that mute button issue. the Base could be a little stronger, For the money I dont know a better sound, although a tube or better phono amp would be welcomed. Keep in mind that this is $1299 and Paul does package specials!!! He also allow auditions and returns (for a small fee) . This is not the equipment for those who want to spend 5-6 times the price or more perhaps, but at least with my speakers and amps I hear music. Similar Products Used:
Transcendent sound, DCC Audio, Bedini, Threshold, Mac, and similar.
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