Doshi V3.0 Tape Preamp

dminches · Apr 28, 2015

I got a chance to see and listen to Nick Doshi's v3.0 tape preamp at Axpona. Needless to say, I want one. This is one beautiful looking and sounding piece of equipment. Nick had his Technics head block wired to the preamp. The combination is pure bliss.

Myles, I know you reviewed his phono pre. Have you reviewed any version of the tube pre?

Bruce B · Apr 28, 2015

I've used both his tape and phono pre for years. The tape pre is the best I've heard and I've compared many.

Steve Williams · Apr 28, 2015

Bruce B said:
I've used both his tape and phono pre for years. The tape pre is the best I've heard and I've compared many.

Like Bruce I was one of the first to use Nick's tape pre and IMO he has hit it out of the ball park. Best tape pre I have ever heard

dminches · Apr 28, 2015

As I said, it is on my list of wants. The price tag of $14k is the only challenge.

Bruce B · Apr 28, 2015

dminches said:
As I said, it is on my list of wants. The price tag of $14k is the only challenge.

Is that what it is? When I saw the new ones at the show, they only stated < $20k

dminches · Apr 28, 2015

Bruce B said:
Is that what it is? When I saw the new ones at the show, they only stated < $20k

I believe that is the cost that I heard Nick say.

christensenleif@msn.com · Apr 28, 2015

what justifies a cost like that apart from a fancy chassis?
best
Leif

Steve Williams · Apr 28, 2015

christensenleif@msn.com said:
what justifies a cost like that apart from a fancy chassis?
best
Leif

Nick is a one man operation and he builds quality gear. It was for my ears the first tubed tape pre that I heard that was completely free of noise. Sound is so good that I rolled a matched quad set of NOS Tele ECC 801S's into the unit

For me it was worth it. BTW I had to wait 4 months to get mine. You won't be disappointed

I have a review of it somewhere in my system blog

Bruce B · Apr 28, 2015

christensenleif@msn.com said:
what justifies a cost like that apart from a fancy chassis?
best
Leif

Because to me it sounds the.best. I don't mind paying for the best.
Plus, mine was a custom job.

c1ferrari · Apr 28, 2015

Yours is different...isn't it?
Would you mind describing your custom unit?
Pics would be great, too.

JackD201 · Apr 29, 2015

My brother has a couple of custom jobs. I guess it's hard for Nick to put a specific price precisely because there are quite a few add on options like choosing only the EQ options you need or going for all of them. If I heard Jim correctly (we'd had a couple of bottles of wine) Nick's working on selectable output stage sections for one of Jim's units. You can switch between Class A and Class AB. Stuff like that.

Yo Bruce, how ya doing?

Bruce B · Apr 29, 2015

JackD201 said:
Yo Bruce, how ya doing?

Nck's stuff is truly remarkable. He told me to send my unit in for more updates after he returned from Axpona. I'm always weary any time I send something out for updating. I use this for all my archival transfers and dubbing.

dminches · Apr 30, 2015

Bruce B said:
Nck's stuff is truly remarkable. He told me to send my unit in for more updates after he returned from Axpona. I'm always weary any time I send something out for updating. I use this for all my archival transfers and dubbing.

Bruce, can you explain what, if any, customized changes you had done to your unit? I am going to order one and am interested in what others have done.

rbbert · Apr 30, 2015

David, what transport will you be using?

dminches · Apr 30, 2015

rbbert said:
David, what transport will you be using?

Probably a Technics RS-1500. I have new relapped heads on that machine.

rockitman · Apr 30, 2015

dminches said:
Probably a Technics RS-1500. I have new relapped heads on that machine.

if you go with a fine tape pre like the Doshi, I would get better heads if the one's you currently have are stock but relapped technics heads. Nortronics or Flux Magnetics from JRF are the way to go. I have Nortronics on my Technics 1500. I am not sure if Flux can fit in the 1500 head block or not.

doshiaudio · Apr 30, 2015

Hello,

do not want to hijack the post so sorry for the intrusion.

Flux heads can indeed fit a Technics Headblock. I was using the lowest output flux heads (Extended Response) on the Technics Transport at Axpona. This is a luxury afforded by the low noise of the unit and allows longer cable runs from the heads without HF losses. Eagle eyed show goers may have noticed the JRF sticker on the headblock. Feel free to contact John French or let me know if I can help in any way. I have a couple of 1500 machines so mounting and alignment of the specific head should not be a problem. The ER heads are really good and JRF does a great job of cleaning the guides and optical alignment.
Lastly, I should say that the stock technics head is capable of fine sound as well and can be used as an introductory setup so please don't think it is a prerequisite to have the FM heads.

rockitman said:
if you go with a fine phono pre like the Doshi, I would get better heads if the one's you currently have are stock but relapped technics heads. Nortronics or Flux Magnetics from JRF are the way to go. I have Nortronics on my Technics 1500. I am not sure if Flux can fit in the 1500 head block or not.

rbbert · Apr 30, 2015

Hardly hijacking, IMO.

OTOH, compared to the cost of your preamp the cost of new heads is almost insignificant

dminches · Apr 30, 2015

doshiaudio said:
Hello,

do not want to hijack the post so sorry for the intrusion.

Flux heads can indeed fit a Technics Headblock. I was using the lowest output flux heads (Extended Response) on the Technics Transport at Axpona. This is a luxury afforded by the low noise of the unit and allows longer cable runs from the heads without HF losses. Eagle eyed show goers may have noticed the JRF sticker on the headblock. Feel free to contact John French or let me know if I can help in any way. I have a couple of 1500 machines so mounting and alignment of the specific head should not be a problem. The ER heads are really good and JRF does a great job of cleaning the guides and optical alignment.
Lastly, I should say that the stock technics head is capable of fine sound as well and can be used as an introductory setup so please don't think it is a prerequisite to have the FM heads.

Nick, I just got off the phone with John. He is going to build me a head block with a Flux head to match your preamp. He is going to call you to confirm that electronics specifics for the balanced cable out.

I am convinced that the nicest guys in audio (Nick and John) and the guys who work with reels!

doshiaudio · Apr 30, 2015

aww shucks - thanks.

my feeling is that these threads are for you to speak your mind. manufacturers should try to leave well enough alone.

maybe we can get you to bring the machine down - we'll install the block and do a complete alignment with the heads into the preamp etc.
should be fun

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