A happy owner here. That is a great gear and Nick is a very nice person to cooperate with. My set up: Technics 100, AT VM540ML, Yamaha AS3200 and Vienna Acoustics MozartGrand SE. I wish it had a balanced version.
@@abxaudiophiles that’s a good thing. I will only speak for me but if it passes the test with you and others I can conclude it’s good. Now will a product have that synergy in all systems remains to be seen. Just give me a thumbs up or down.
Given my age i LOVE old school. I just wish there onr balanced input. I am not sold it sounds better, but it IS a better connection! Grear review as always
I have a look at the other non-phono valve preamp, I like that it has a toggle to switch between passive and active, just wonder is the noise level at absolute zero when in passive mode, not sure it's possible to have zero noise when valve mode?
The valve pre has a passive input that is straight through i.e. it bypasses the pre-amp entirely, just allowing volume attenuation. This adds no noise and works with the power disconnected. Both the valve phono and valve pre have sold-state equivalents in the range. They too are based on all discreet circuitry i.e. no op amps and they have similar vintage qualities. Stick a blindfold on and I struggle sometimes :-) I'm the designer, by the way! The passive input is also available on the phono stage too and works in the same way.
Depends on which model. The MM and MC models have a Passive input that means you can use the volume control for a line source like a CD player. No gain, as it's passive, but perfecly useable as that's the intention
James, the model we sent you doesn't have the passive selection on it because the three-pos selector switch is all used up with MM, MC and Z-ACT. You can have any three of MM, MC, Passive and Z-ACT.
As the designer of this PhonoStage, I can verify the circuitry is similar, though not identical to a Marantz 7, rather than the EAR. The EAR (sadly) suffered from a certain amout of tube hiss due to the relatively low current loading in the tubes. This - as James states in the review - doesn't have that problem.
First time viewer. Good review of an interesting product, but please stop calling a piece of audio kit "this guy". It's a bit annoying. Also, did you mention that the product is made in the UK? Some viewers might wish to know that. Not built in China, right?
You’re more than welcome to start your own charity and UA-cam and refer to things in whatever manner your heart desires. 😊😊😊 Check out his website for deets.. Cheers and thanks for watching.
A happy owner here. That is a great gear and Nick is a very nice person to cooperate with.
My set up: Technics 100, AT VM540ML, Yamaha AS3200 and Vienna Acoustics MozartGrand SE.
I wish it had a balanced version.
NICE!!!
I love that he not only has DIY options, but that they are actually very affordable options! With some companies the DIY options are barely worth it.
Me too. Love it. 😍
I never heard of ZinAmp. They have some interesting products. Thanks for the review!
You are welcome! I can honestly recommend
Trick little unit. Nice review. Well done. Wuf. 🐻
Thank you.. ;)
Well done James. Have to admire products built to this standard.
I am getting to a point where I only push stuff out that I really like and feel comfortable my community will find value in.. ;)
@@abxaudiophiles that’s a good thing. I will only speak for me but if it passes the test with you and others I can conclude it’s good. Now will a product have that synergy in all systems remains to be seen. Just give me a thumbs up or down.
Sound very tempting ❤
Fun stuff.... :)
Nice piece of kit!
@@Mike_rem
I think so too Mike. 👌
Worth a solid consideration in the price point for sure. 👍🏼
Oohh yeah!
Snap into a slim Jim.
@@abxaudiophiles your best opening line ever. You could narrate documentaries with that voice.
@@hificave
Haha. Thank you sir. Radio broadcaster was the career I missed out on. 😂😂😂
Given my age i LOVE old school. I just wish there onr balanced input. I am not sold it sounds better, but it IS a better connection! Grear review as always
You and me both!
Thank you. 🙏🏼
I have a look at the other non-phono valve preamp, I like that it has a toggle to switch between passive and active, just wonder is the noise level at absolute zero when in passive mode, not sure it's possible to have zero noise when valve mode?
Dead silent from the LP is all I know. 👌😊😊
@@abxaudiophiles That's great, how easy to DIY these kits?
The valve pre has a passive input that is straight through i.e. it bypasses the pre-amp entirely, just allowing volume attenuation. This adds no noise and works with the power disconnected. Both the valve phono and valve pre have sold-state equivalents in the range. They too are based on all discreet circuitry i.e. no op amps and they have similar vintage qualities. Stick a blindfold on and I struggle sometimes :-) I'm the designer, by the way! The passive input is also available on the phono stage too and works in the same way.
Sweet Jeebuz, that cartridge is $1400 here! 😵 Interested in the phono amp though. Very reasonably priced.
I feel ya. Good stuff tho. 😊😊👍🏼
I'd love to see a comparison to the PS Audio Nuwave Phono, and also the Graham Slee Accession.
That would be cool.
can it also work as a line preamp?
Depends on which model. The MM and MC models have a Passive input that means you can use the volume control for a line source like a CD player. No gain, as it's passive, but perfecly useable as that's the intention
@@jungtarcph
Sorry for the late reply! But the man himself got you dialed in. Cheers. 🍻
James, the model we sent you doesn't have the passive selection on it because the three-pos selector switch is all used up with MM, MC and Z-ACT. You can have any three of MM, MC, Passive and Z-ACT.
@@nickjcresswell
Sweet. 👌👌
This looks like an EAR834 clone as well
Well, I have an ear clone and it is not good at all. This is actually good. 😂👌😊
@@abxaudiophiles is it possible they did a high quality clone, there are others doing that as well, or it could be a modified EAR834.
@@zacharydoering313
No, this is all original design. Reach out to them and chat it up. Great folks.
@@abxaudiophilesit looks cool can it be used directly into an amp it looks like it has preamp functionality.
As the designer of this PhonoStage, I can verify the circuitry is similar, though not identical to a Marantz 7, rather than the EAR. The EAR (sadly) suffered from a certain amout of tube hiss due to the relatively low current loading in the tubes. This - as James states in the review - doesn't have that problem.
Later skaters?
Later Skaters... HA
First time viewer. Good review of an interesting product, but please stop calling a piece of audio kit "this guy". It's a bit annoying. Also, did you mention that the product is made in the UK? Some viewers might wish to know that. Not built in China, right?
You’re more than welcome to start your own charity and UA-cam and refer to things in whatever manner your heart desires. 😊😊😊
Check out his website for deets..
Cheers and thanks for watching.
It is indeed made in the UK - here at ZinAmp. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
@@nickjcresswell
And made very well I might add. 👌👌
what a dumb nit pick