Like I needed more gear...

[P.I.]

I ordered a Khozmo preamp, 64 step ladder attenuator, utilizing AMRT resistors and a fixed 6dB gain Staccato active output stage that is switchable to passive operation.

https://khozmo.com/product/stereo-with-input-selector/

It will be interesting to compare it to the ones in residence  :thumb - Dodd 12VDC pre, TKD passive, Cary SLP50B (MUCH modified), Musica Bella Segue (thanks, Bill! 👍🏼) and two different home grown guys:  one with Reflektor 6H(N)30DR tubes and one built on Burr-Brown OPA627 op amps biased up to class A with no DC offset.

https://www.dagogo.com/staccato-audio-discrete-hybrid-opamps-review/2/

Beautifully made.  My friend Brad Baker has the passive version with AMRG resistors.  It will be interesting to hear the differences between SOTA carbon film and SOTA metal film.

God, how I love this obsession!

Never stop learning! 

Never stop spending! 

Addendum:  re:  SOTA resistors - this is interesting.  I use Z-foils (TCR = 1ppm : 0.1% match in the I/V stage in my weird assed DAC.  They are incredibly transparent, with detail and honesty galore.  This being said, it is very easy to go too squeaky clean.  YMMV or whatever...

Ergo - choices for musicality.

 

[mresseguie]

Good for you, Dave!

I’ve long been curious about the Khozmo preamps. I nearly ordered a passive model a couple years ago, but I talked myself out of it. Let us know how you like it.

[P.I.]

Good for you, Dave!

I’ve long been curious about the Khozmo preamps. I nearly ordered a passive model a couple years ago, but I talked myself out of it. Let us know how you like it.

Will do, Michael.  My friend Brad here bought the passive version with the 64 step attenuator loaded with AMRG resistors.  It's going to be interesting to hear the differences.

[malloy]

Hi Dave,

That looks like it means business. Never tried a passive preamp before. 

Is this similar to that at all? Or is this some entry level, starter kit?

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/kits/glasshouse-kits/glasshouse-tvc.html



Paul

[P.I.]

Hi Dave,

That looks like it means business. Never tried a passive preamp before. 

Is this similar to that at all? Or is this some entry level, starter kit?

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/kits/glasshouse-kits/glasshouse-tvc.html



Paul

They are very different.  The HFC unit is an auto former based device, not unlike Dave Slagle's  great autoformer controls  :  https://intactaudio.com/atten.html

The Khozmo is a ladder that only has 1 resistor in the signal path and 1 in shunt at any setting.

[S Clark]

I'll be following this to read your thoughts after you've had it installed for a while. 
I'm still using the original 24V Dodd in one system and a newer 12V one in my main system.  As with all my stuff, I'm sure there's better, but how much better and at what cost??

[mresseguie]

I'll be following this to read your thoughts after you've had it installed for a while. 
I'm still using the original 24V Dodd in one system and a newer 12V one in my main system.  As with all my stuff, I'm sure there's better, but how much better and at what cost??

Scott,

What is inside the Dodd preamp that makes it so special? I've never had one to play with - let alone open up to peer inside. I kinda think Jay (Captainhemo) had one in his system when I visited him in 2015...hmm...I'll ask him and get back.

Happy Lunar New Year from Taiwan!

Michael

[S Clark]

Michael,
I really can't say how Gary did it.  Circuit? Battery? Parts?  Most of the crucial elements are potted.  It's been almost 20 years since Gary and Danny R came out to the house to help judge my physics class's speaker competition.  When Gary put his prototype battery preamp in my system it was a huge upgrade in clarity, detail, and sound stage.   So much that I told him I had to have one and we started talking about how to set up payment to make it happen. I think mine was #18 or so.   
I know that Gary potted the unit because he felt that any patent that he could file would be violated in other parts of the world.   It's still a very fine preamp.  The newer version may have a few advantages, but I sort of like the older one. 
I think Danny R may have upgraded a part of two on his, but mine are stock. The only thing I've done is to extensively roll tubes, as they are all very different in sound.   Actually, I bet Dave will have a better handle on what makes them good. 
Dave??? 

[P.I.]

Michael,
I really can't say how Gary did it.  Circuit? Battery? Parts?  Most of the crucial elements are potted.  It's been almost 20 years since Gary and Danny R came out to the house to help judge my physics class's speaker competition.  When Gary put his prototype battery preamp in my system it was a huge upgrade in clarity, detail, and sound stage.   So much that I told him I had to have one and we started talking about how to set up payment to make it happen. I think mine was #18 or so.   
I know that Gary potted the unit because he felt that any patent that he could file would be violated in other parts of the world.   It's still a very fine preamp.  The newer version may have a few advantages, but I sort of like the older one. 
I think Danny R may have upgraded a part of two on his, but mine are stock. The only thing I've done is to extensively roll tubes, as they are all very different in sound.   Actually, I bet Dave will have a better handle on what makes them good. 
Dave???

Gary was a wizard, that's how! 

Actually, the secret to Gary's designs are a study in simplicity and choosing exactly the right parts in the right implementation without being locked into tradition.

[Folsom]

I'll be interested to know what you think, for sure.