Paul R Posted June 12, 2018 Posted June 12, 2018 (edited) Item: VTL The Ultimate Preamplifier Location: Camberwell, Victoria (prefer local sale and pickup) Item condition: Working order but has been modified Price and price conditions $2000 (negotiable) with a donation to SNA. Reason for selling No longer required Payment Methods: Form of payment preferred is COD, but if not a local pickup, we can negotiate. I have had bad experiences so I am reluctant to accept payment via PayPal. Extra Info: My VTL The Ultimate Pre-amplifier for sale. An early manufacture evidenced by the serial number ULT 0198 M/C. This early manufactures had the power supplies in a separate cage. The layout of the pre-amp is complex with phono stage board suspended by silicone rubber bands. I bought the pre-amp from Mike Kontor. The pre-amp had been modified before my purchase: Rewired with Van den Hul silver wires; Moving coils stage taken out of circuit; and Stereo and mute switches also taken out of circuit. Tube complement as follows: · Phono stage comrprising 4 × Electro Harmonix 12AX7 made in Russia; and · Line stage 2 × Tungsram 12 AX7 and 2 × Sylvania JHS 12AT7WA triple mica gray plates. The pre-amp is in working order (save for the modifications noted above), but as with equipment of this vintage, it is advisable for it to be checked over. Physical condition is good but not flawless – there are a few knicks on the faceplate. I have the original box and packaging. However, as VTL did not lavish much attention on the packaging, the foam inserts are not much to write home about, i.e. there is not enough of these. I would prefer a local pickup but if you insist (and at your additional cost) I can post using Pack & Send. Pictures: Edited June 27, 2018 by Paul R Withdrawing item from sale, will relist at a lower price later.
doogie44 Posted June 12, 2018 Posted June 12, 2018 May I have some clarification? I think some more detail would be helpful. 1. The power supply has been relocated into the single box, is that correct? 2. The stereo switch has been bypassed--but what was it there for, was it the alternative to MONO? Or something else? 3. Have any caps been replaced since new? 4. It appears to be dual-mono with a single volume control, is that right? 5. Can you estimate the age of the tubes? Thanks
Island boy Posted June 12, 2018 Posted June 12, 2018 Hi so the phono stage is now not setup for Mc carts?
Paul R Posted June 13, 2018 Author Posted June 13, 2018 13 hours ago, doogie44 said: May I have some clarification? I think some more detail would be helpful. 1. The power supply has been relocated into the single box, is that correct? 2. The stereo switch has been bypassed--but what was it there for, was it the alternative to MONO? Or something else? 3. Have any caps been replaced since new? 4. It appears to be dual-mono with a single volume control, is that right? 5. Can you estimate the age of the tubes? Thanks Hi Doogie44 1. The power supply is as manufactured in a separate housing, thus the two umbilical cables from the power supply section to the pre-amplifier section. The third picture shows the separated casework. 2. The stereo switch switched from stereo to mono. 3. I believe the caps were replaced at the time of the modifications - but I am not sure. Since I first bought the unit second hand in 1993, all capacitors should probably be considered for replacement. 4. Yes, it is dual mono with a single volume control. 5. The tubes in the phono stage are old. But as I hardly use the turntable, the tubes appear fine. I used a simple tube tester I have and the phono tubes register as good. On a scale of 100, about 86-88%. The line stage tubes are much younger, circa 2012. I bought these NOS from Ankara, Turkey from http://www.nostubestore.com. It would be prudent to replace the tubes in the phono stage. The Electro Harmonix 12AX7s do sound nice all the same as they are. Hope the above is of some help.
Paul R Posted June 13, 2018 Author Posted June 13, 2018 13 hours ago, Island boy said: Hi so the phono stage is now not setup for Mc carts? Hi Island Boy Yes, the phono stage is MM only. I am using a Benz Mirco MC1 (Empire Scientific) high output MC and there is sufficient gain to go uncomfortably loud. Hope the above is of some help.
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