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"Say Hello! to my new little friend"

Wow, that ebay seller snow48_6 already sent me a email telling me the pre amp
is already set up for 110V.
I always like ebay sellers that are on top of things and communicate quickly. :)
 
Neat!

MFR's website page:
http://www.satistronics.com/new-buf...d_p2684.html?zenid=4d3lih89tbu0pjglgffs3isnv2

Webpage of the preamp they say they copied (Matisse):
http://www.paulsen.co.uk/rod/matissepreamp.html

Matisse specs:
Stage Gain: 30dB (1 00mV in = 3V out)
Distortion: -70dB ref 3V @ 1 KHz (0.03%)
Signal-to-Noise: 92 dB (ref 4V A weighted)
Maximum Output: 200V peak to peak @ 1 MOhm
Frequency Response: 12Hz -100Khz +- 0.2dB Channel Balance: 0.03dB
Input Impedance: 100 KOhm nominal
Output Impedance: 4 KOhm nominal

Does it seem to be providing gain, like the Matisse specs say it should (if it really is a Matisse derivative?)

I like the [supposedly] high input impedance; could be a really neat DI box for an electric bass/6-string... :scratch2:

There seems to be a couple of variants out there. This Alibaba listing of what seems like it might be the same/similar product says it's a unity gain cathode follower. That makes a little more sense. the Matisse unit looks like one tube per stereo pair, whereas this preamp is two tubes per stereo pair.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free...3_5670_Tube_Buffer_Amplifier_2_Channels_.html
 
6v6coalbed said:
Neat!

MFR's website page:
http://www.satistronics.com/new-buf...d_p2684.html?zenid=4d3lih89tbu0pjglgffs3isnv2

Webpage of the preamp they say they copied (Matisse):
http://www.paulsen.co.uk/rod/matissepreamp.html

Matisse specs:
Stage Gain: 30dB (1 00mV in = 3V out)
Distortion: -70dB ref 3V @ 1 KHz (0.03%)
Signal-to-Noise: 92 dB (ref 4V A weighted)
Maximum Output: 200V peak to peak @ 1 MOhm
Frequency Response: 12Hz -100Khz +- 0.2dB Channel Balance: 0.03dB
Input Impedance: 100 KOhm nominal
Output Impedance: 4 KOhm nominal

Does it seem to be providing gain, like the Matisse specs say it should (if it really is a Matisse derivative?)

I like the [supposedly] high input impedance; could be a really neat DI box for an electric bass/6-string... :scratch2:

There seems to be a couple of variants out there. This Alibaba listing of what seems like it might be the same/similar product says it's a unity gain cathode follower. That makes a little more sense. the Matisse unit looks like one tube per stereo pair, whereas this preamp is two tubes per stereo pair.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-free...3_5670_Tube_Buffer_Amplifier_2_Channels_.html
Click to expand...

For $50 who cares? I've never even heard of Matisse. Probably because it's priced way too high. Many times with Chinese amps the specs are lost in translation. It's probably based on the basic circuit like the Marantz 7 clone I have which doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the 7 but is an amazing sounding and quality built piece of gear. :thmbsp:

Better get them while you can because the prices won't stay this low for ever.
 
Finished Mounting Pre amp!!

:banana::music:
 

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DrMux said:
For $50 who cares? I've never even heard of Matisse. Probably because it's priced way too high. Many times with Chinese amps the specs are lost in translation. It's probably based on the basic circuit like the Marantz 7 clone I have which doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the 7 but is an amazing sounding and quality built piece of gear. :thmbsp:

Better get them while you can because the prices won't stay this low for ever.
Click to expand...

I've never heard of Matisse either (except maybe as a French artist who's work I didn't like). Just following the "trail" of "facts" to try and put some more info to this unit, as I try to convince myself I might find it useful to buy one.
 
It's cheap enough that I don't mind giving it a fair try, I have SS and tube
amps to use as test rabbits and I will post how good it sounds either way.
Not having all the bells and whistles that other pre amps have is what keeps
it simple, cheap and hopefully very clean sounding with low distortion.
 
It is a little bass heavy IMO but I also 2x the coupling caps in my magnavox amp, But It is about as mutch bass you would want so I CAN'T COMPLAIN BUT MY NEIGHBORS......... THATS ANOTHER STORY....
 
am I correct in saying this little pre is used for like cd inputs and other hi level sources or lo level more than a few millivolts?
Isnt 200V p to p output a little much or is that a misprint.?
 
Last edited:
oldhifiguy said:
am I correct in saying this little pre is used for like cd inputs and other hi level sources or lo level more than a few millivolts?
Isnt 200V p to p output a little much or is that a misprint.?
Click to expand...

I would say it is to be used with normal sources like CD players. It has good looks too, even though it's just a PCB sandwich.
 
Guanzo V2.0 preamp arrived today faster then I expected, packaged very good.
Took about 45 minutes to get AC power cord and transformer connected and
then patched into my Maggie amp. Preamp does not sound bad at all, very clean
and has very nice control with the volume pot.
Bass is just about right, I did not think it was to bass heavy like brickbuster
experienced with his system, I tested it on my Maggie 9303 chassis PP amp and
my Sansui AU-717 main amp in jacks.
I do think there is a slight room for improvement and looking at this unit I see it
will be very easy to modify or upgrade caps and to try a little tube rolling (5670)
tubes.
Here is a list of the caps in circuit.

(2) electrolytic 150 uf 200v name on cap> CE (M)
I'm not sure who makes them might be Chinese made?

(1) electrolytic 2200 uf 10v cap
Maker unknown, maybe Chinese.

(2) Film 105J 250v
Maker unknown

(4) Film 474J 250v
Maker unknown

Construction is very nicely done and it is extremely easy to work on. (Simple)
I got mine for $46 dollars including shipping and right after I paid the seller
raised the price to $56 dollars with free shipping.:sigh:
Overall I think it's a cute little preamp and I kinda like the silly green led lights
in the tubes, I think with the right mods it can be a very great sounding preamp
without major cost involved.
 
BrokenHill said:
Guanzo V2.0 preamp arrived today faster then I expected, packaged very good.
Took about 45 minutes to get AC power cord and transformer connected and
then patched into my Maggie amp. Preamp does not sound bad at all, very clean
and has very nice control with the volume pot.
Bass is just about right, I did not think it was to bass heavy like brickbuster
experienced with his system, I tested it on my Maggie 9303 chassis PP amp and
my Sansui AU-717 main amp in jacks.
I do think there is a slight room for improvement and looking at this unit I see it
will be very easy to modify or upgrade caps and to try a little tube rolling (5670)
tubes.
Here is a list of the caps in circuit.

(2) electrolytic 150 uf 200v name on cap> CE (M)
I'm not sure who makes them might be Chinese made?

(1) electrolytic 2200 uf 10v cap
Maker unknown, maybe Chinese.

(2) Film 105J 250v
Maker unknown

(4) Film 474J 250v
Maker unknown

Construction is very nicely done and it is extremely easy to work on. (Simple)
I got mine for $46 dollars including shipping and right after I paid the seller
raised the price to $56 dollars with free shipping.:sigh:
Overall I think it's a cute little preamp and I kinda like the silly green led lights
in the tubes, I think with the right mods it can be a very great sounding preamp
without major cost involved.
Click to expand...

Once a few people start ordering something like this the prices usually do go up to adjust for supply and demand. When did you order yours? I'm still waiting on mine here in SC. Can't go wrong for $50-60 either if it sounds good. I'm not expecting too much and plan on tinkering with it anyway.
 
DrMux said:
Once a few people start ordering something like this the prices usually do go up to adjust for supply and demand. When did you order yours? I'm still waiting on mine here in SC. Can't go wrong for $50-60 either if it sounds good. I'm not expecting too much and plan on tinkering with it anyway.
Click to expand...
It actually sounds pretty darn good but I think it's got potential to be a little sweeter
sounding, you know how some of us AK nuts are. :D I ordered on 6-24-2010
 
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