Little Bear T8

[Trekkie4]

I did a quick search of AK, trying to find more feedback on this PreAmp, but can't seem to find anything (not to be confused with Little Bear T8-1.


I bought this thing a while ago, and I really enjoy the sound. One of the very few models (at least the cheaper ones) where you can actually tell the difference in sound quality. I suppose in the end it all comes down to personal choice & sound "flavor", but if you want to hear a demo/comparison of T8, check out this guy on YouTube, who compared T8 against Pyle PP555, Behringer PP400 & integrated PreAmp inside LP120.

There has been several different versions (revisions?) of T8, with each generation offering a step-up in terms of technical specs & power supply. Mine is the latest gen, with solid-state capacitors & external 18VAC power supply (rather than internal one which plugs directly into the mains, which was the case on older models)


Here are some of the technical specs, straight from the document which came with the unit itself:

Supports MM & MC carts (20-100ohm)
RIAA Frequency response is 20Hz-25kHz +/- 0.5dB, with Signal to noise ratio >95dB
THD <0.05%, input sensitivity 3.0mV, gain 50dB
Nominal/Max output 300mV/1.8V
Output impedance 200 Ohms, Input impedance 47k Ohm/220 pF (MM) & 100 Ohms (MC)
Power consumption is less than 3W

 

[nj pheonix]

I'm not familar.
I'm glad you're enjoying it.
I am also guessing your copied it's copy.
I'm a little curious about the solid state capacitors. I'm guessing it's some kind of translation issue.
To the best of my knowledge , there is no such thing.
I use a little bear 3 tube line stage preamp on the bench sometimes for testing.
It's pretty nice sounding.

 

[Trekkie4]

I'm not familar.
I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Thanks!

I am also guessing your copied it's copy.

Yes, actually I realize that. I remember reading somewhere how Little Bear PreAmps are based on Denon's circuitry, perhaps from one of their integrated amplifiers? I'm not sure if that goes for all "Little Bear" models or just specific model(s), but for what it's worth, T8 sounds nice.

I'm a little curious about the solid state capacitors. I'm guessing it's some kind of translation issue. To the best of my knowledge , there is no such thing.

Hmm, I'm not sure to what you meant to say by that? The older model used the electrolytic capacitors, which were eventually replaced with solid ones, in the latest (and current) revision.


The oldest T8 .... vs the older T8 .... vs the newer T8:

I use a little bear 3 tube line stage preamp on the bench sometimes for testing.
It's pretty nice sounding.

Oh yeah, I've seen those around, was even tempted to go for tube preamp...

 

[nj pheonix]

I'm thinking term "film" is what was meant

 

[DaveVoorhis]

The older model used the electrolytic capacitors, which were eventually replaced with solid ones, in the latest (and current) revision.

Probably a film or solid tantalum capacitor. There's no such thing as a "solid-state" capacitor.

"Solid-state" refers to semiconductor devices like diodes or transistors that were previously implemented using tubes.

 

[Trekkie4]

Probably a film or solid tantalum capacitor. There's no such thing as a "solid-state" capacitor.

"Solid-state" refers to semiconductor devices like diodes or transistors that were previously implemented using tubes.

You're absolutely right, these are Solid Capacitors, not SS. My bad

Anyhow, what I wanted to say is that electrolytic ones had been replaced for solid (aluminum) caps in the final revision. Don't know how much signal improvement they gained by doing so, but I do know that in computer, PC industry solid caps tend to be more reliable than electrolytic ones. In fact, one of my motherboards even featured "Solid Capacitors on VRM" proudly stamped on the box (as one of its features)

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Don't know how much signal improvement they gained by doing so, but I do know that in computer, PC industry solid caps tend to be more reliable than electrolytic ones. In fact, one of my motherboards even featured "Solid Capacitors on VRM" proudly stamped on the box (as one of its features)

Probably no change in signal -- and they're not usually used in the signal path anyway -- but definitely more reliable. They'll last indefinitely as long as operated well within their rated voltage limits.

 

[Trekkie4]

Right... The only downside to T8 that I can tell (apart from unusually bright blue LED) would be the power supply. It gets the job done but I wouldn't call it high quality, either. The only problem is that T8 operates on low AC voltage, where most of these adapters output DC. In fact, this is my very 1st AC adapter, even though I heard about these before. Apparently they are very useful for DIY head demagnetizers, VWestlife even featured one on his channel.