I recently had a conversation with a Manhattan-based audio dealer who told me about the virtues of light-dependent resistor (LDR) preamps. In theory, LDR preamps can offer more accurate volume attenuation than potentiometers and more precise volume attenuation than stepped attenuators, which tend to have relatively large "steps" between volume settings. I had read about a few megabuck models that use LDR volume controls--the Constellation preamps and the Dartzeel--but the dealer told me he might start selling products from Tortuga Audio, which makes an affordable and fully passive LDR preamplifier:
http://www.tortugaaudio.com/product/ldr3-passive-preamp/
I'm not a fan of the way this preamp looks, nor do I like the company's name. But feedback on the sound of this company's products, from 6Moons and elsewhere, has been extremely positive. The price is right, too.
I'm hoping the dealer with whom I spoke actually picks up the product line so that I (and other audiophiles in New York) can give it a listen. Has anyone had the opportunity to hear one of these?
http://www.tortugaaudio.com/product/ldr3-passive-preamp/
I'm not a fan of the way this preamp looks, nor do I like the company's name. But feedback on the sound of this company's products, from 6Moons and elsewhere, has been extremely positive. The price is right, too.
I'm hoping the dealer with whom I spoke actually picks up the product line so that I (and other audiophiles in New York) can give it a listen. Has anyone had the opportunity to hear one of these?
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