My USP-1 replacement preamp

[Deleted]

The USP-1 served me very well while i owned it. Wanted something new. Something that had less clutter and more of a purist design.

This new preamp did just that. Input and output. The remote can only mute, change volume levels and switch inputs (1-4).

The boards used for voltage gain are Mark Levinson clones. Modified and tweaked from the 20.5 amp. Yes that is an amp but the input driver stage of that amp is state of the art. Those amps retailed for $25,000.

I have done A and B listening all day. They sound very different. The ML clone is very fast. Bass is extremely solid. The noise level is much lower than the USP-1. The sound stage is much more real. Sounds like my speakers are independent from each other. I have played songs with lots of transitions and so far everything is much more accurate than with the USP-1.

Some of these things can be explained by the minimal design of the ML clone. Input voltage. Add more voltage. Output. Nothing else. No side roads. No Bass management. No triggers.

I purchased this from Alex Lam from China. The cost of the clone was $530.00 plus $133.00 shipping. Shipping was around 1 week. Not bad at all.

One problem i had was it was wired for 230vac. I need 115-120vac. No problem. Just re wire it quick. The transformers are R-core. They have wiring diagrams on them. Took me about an hour to rewire it. No smoke when i first started it up lol

My USP-1 and XDA-1 will be for sale soon. They were spoken for, but the buyer backed out.

Pictures

[klinemj]

nice...

[jedinite24]

^---- I couldn't agree more. Very very nice....

Stupid questions coming up Kraemer. Is the ML Clone you purchased is a DIY kit? I can't wait to see the bad *bleep* case you will be buidling for this.

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2012 21:19:02 GMT -5 jedinite24 said:

^---- I couldn't agree more. Very very nice....

Stupid questions coming up Kraemer. Is the ML Clone you purchased is a DIY kit? I can't wait to see the bad *bleep* case you will be buidling for this.

It was a DIY kit. But had them do some things. Still learning the whole DIY. But I'm learning very fast

[carlp336]

simple! i likes...

[Deleted]

No longer use anything Emotiva. It was a great journey

[RPA-1 man]

Very Very Nice.

One comment though. You stated that the ML clone is much quieter than the USP-1. I have never read a review where it was stated that noise was an issue with the USP-1. In fact I only read comments stating that it is an extremely quiet preamp. Can you elaborate for me please. Thanks.

[anonymous]

What measurements did you do to determine the quietness besides just listening to the new toy?
Quiet equals low noise floor. So how low?
Separation of instruments equals low channel cross talk. So how wide?
Subjective accolades are nice, but from reading here I pegged you for a science man.
You know, all amps should sound the same unless they measure different.

Am I mistaken?

[monkumonku]

Aug 20, 2012 9:43:45 GMT -5 anonymous said:

What measurements did you do to determine the quietness besides just listening to the new toy?
Quiet equals low noise floor. So how low?
Separation of instruments equals low channel cross talk. So how wide?
Subjective accolades are nice, but from reading here I pegged you for a science man.
[glow=red,2,300]You know, all amps should sound the same unless they measure different.

Am I mistaken?[/glow]

Haha... now that's the big question, isn't it? ;D Here we go again. I have to say I was wondering the same thing myself - the USP-1 is a really quiet preamp so I was hoping Kraemer could elaborate on the comment about the noise level being so much lower with the ML clone.

[Deleted]

Nice piece, KD! Sounds like a terrific preamp, especially for the money. Your build looks very neat and clean, good job. I'm assuming that the pc boards come pre-populated and the DIY part is in running the leads from them and soldering everything up, is that so?

If so, it looks to be a very simple project to complete - and that is a good thing. How long did it take for you to assemble it?

Finally, you may not have any Emo gear, but it looks like the Emo Blue glow stayed with you!!

-RW-

PS: Could you please give us the name of the product and perhaps a website link?

[anonymous]

I like the clean interior (the USP also has one)
I like the clean front (the USP's front isn't what i would call cluttered)
So besides minus the nice features of the USP (HT bypass, xover, phono and headphone out)
What are we really getting for more $$$? (and no warranty I assume?)

Measurements should easily show this, no?

Mods, if I'm out of line, you can censor my posts.
I don't mean to offend, just learn.

[savjac]

Wow that is very cool Kraemer. I hope you love it.
I have a similar product from Lite Audio, a DAC, no volume control, except it is a tubed version and it looks like this inside and out. The better thing about yours is the additional inputs and volume control that I miss a good deal. I only have 2 inputs.
They make some good products.

[Deleted]

Aug 20, 2012 5:53:44 GMT -5 RPA-1 man said:

Very Very Nice.

One comment though. You stated that the ML clone is much quieter than the USP-1. I have never read a review where it was stated that noise was an issue with the USP-1. In fact I only read comments stating that it is an extremely quiet preamp. Can you elaborate for me please. Thanks.

My speakers are very sensitive (no pun intended). At 103db they can be rather picky. This is one of the only things i dislike about my speakers.

The USP-1 would produce a little hiss in the tweeters (horns). I plugged the ML in exactly how the USP-1 was and the tweeter noise was reduced. So that is where i was referring to the noise being reduced.

About the clutter..... I didn't need:
Headphone out
Phono section
Low/high pass filters
Tape monitor loops
HT bypass
Bass management

I made a faceplate for the USP-1 and XDA-1 to cover all those buttons. Way to many IMO.

The USP-1 is still the best preamp for the money on the market today. Was i trying to save money by buying a less featured design, obviously not. The ML costs over $100 more retail.

Very happy with my decision

I know that alot of these new sounds i am hearing (besides the reduced tweeter noise), can be a placebo effect caused by the new toy syndrome ;D

I got this baby from here www.pricemart8.com/preamp_kit_set.html

[Deleted]

Aug 20, 2012 10:03:59 GMT -5 @rlw said:

Nice piece, KD! Sounds like a terrific preamp, especially for the money. Your build looks very neat and clean, good job. I'm assuming that the pc boards come pre-populated and the DIY part is in running the leads from them and soldering everything up, is that so?

If so, it looks to be a very simple project to complete - and that is a good thing. How long did it take for you to assemble it?

Finally, you may not have any Emo gear, but it looks like the Emo Blue glow stayed with you!!

-RW-

PS: Could you please give us the name of the product and perhaps a website link?

You can have them do it all or have them send you tons of little pieces. OR even in between, with boards done and just wiring is required.

It took a few days for them to get it ready an boxed. Another week for shipping. It was shipped via air mail.

I'll never get away from that blue

[anonymous]

So this place takes designs from another manufacturer and mods it just enough so that they can't be accused of stealing the design out right?
I dunno, good sound aside, it sounds a little fishy to me.

I know they are not breaking any Hong Kong laws, but if they were in the US they would be shut down, no?

[Deleted]

Aug 20, 2012 11:51:40 GMT -5 anonymous said:

So this place takes designs from another manufacturer and mods it just enough so that they can't be accused of stealing the design out right?
I dunno, good sound aside, it sounds a little fishy to me.

I know they are not breaking any Hong Kong laws, but if they were in the US they would be shut down, no?

I don't see anything wrong with it. The board is actually for an amp. The input driver for a mono block. It was modified to be used as a line stage preamp board. Input voltage+voltage, output voltage.

The board uses JFET transistors. Does this mean this one copies the USP-1? That uses JFET.

I posted this to show people my new preamp. But now it looks like it will take a different path. We can just lock this one now.

[RPA-1 man]

Aug 20, 2012 11:06:20 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

Aug 20, 2012 5:53:44 GMT -5 RPA-1 man said:

Very Very Nice.

One comment though. You stated that the ML clone is much quieter than the USP-1. I have never read a review where it was stated that noise was an issue with the USP-1. In fact I only read comments stating that it is an extremely quiet preamp. Can you elaborate for me please. Thanks.

My speakers are very sensitive (no pun intended). At 103db they can be rather picky. This is one of the only things i dislike about my speakers.

The USP-1 would produce a little hiss in the tweeters (horns). I plugged the ML in exactly how the USP-1 was and the tweeter noise was reduced. So that is where i was referring to the noise being reduced.

About the clutter..... I didn't need:
Headphone out
Phono section
Low/high pass filters
Tape monitor loops
HT bypass
Bass management

I made a faceplate for the USP-1 and XDA-1 to cover all those buttons. Way to many IMO.

The USP-1 is still the best preamp for the money on the market today. Was i trying to save money by buying a less featured design, obviously not. The ML costs over $100 more retail.

Very happy with my decision

I know that alot of these new sounds i am hearing (besides the reduced tweeter noise), can be a placebo effect caused by the new toy syndrome ;D

I got this baby from here www.pricemart8.com/preamp_kit_set.html

My speakers are only 92.5 db efficient so there is a significant difference there. Glad you're enjoying your new pre.

[paintedklown]

Matt,

Congrats on your new pre-amp. I am glad to see that you are enjoying it, and had a nice audible upgrade at a reasonable price.

I know that you have spent a lot of time upgrading and modding your gear, and it's nice to see that your hard work has payed off in spades.

Kick back, turn it up, and enjoy!

[anonymous]

Aug 20, 2012 12:34:09 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

Aug 20, 2012 11:51:40 GMT -5 anonymous said:

So this place takes designs from another manufacturer and mods it just enough so that they can't be accused of stealing the design out right?
I dunno, good sound aside, it sounds a little fishy to me.

I know they are not breaking any Hong Kong laws, but if they were in the US they would be shut down, no?

I don't see anything wrong with it. The board is actually for an amp. The input driver for a mono block. It was modified to be used as a line stage preamp board. Input voltage+voltage, output voltage.

The board uses JFET transistors. Does this mean this one copies the USP-1? That uses JFET.

I posted this to show people my new preamp. But now it looks like it will take a different path. We can just lock this one now.

Damn, I messed up. sorry you took it that way.
From my post, I now see that I may have not worded that right.
Disregard my posts.

[savjac]

Aug 20, 2012 12:34:09 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

[
I don't see anything wrong with it. The board is actually for an amp. The input driver for a mono block. It was modified to be used as a line stage preamp board. Input voltage+voltage, output voltage.

The board uses JFET transistors. Does this mean this one copies the USP-1? That uses JFET.

I posted this to show people my new preamp. But now it looks like it will take a different path. We can just lock this one now.

Naw, keep posting please. In my case, you have essentially SINGLE handedly brought me back to where I was to build some kits, your work is beyond reproach and frankly I am jealous. Keep building and posting, it gives folks like me wonderful ideas.
As far as one company using someone elses designs, I am pretty sure everyone uses something someone else tried first. Thats how we improve.