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34 reviews
Super quiet and great build quality
These are great. Using it to control volume on a bi-amp set-up with no discernible impact on sound quality. Tisbury were also super helpful explaining how I could easily further modify it to convert the 3rd input to a 3rd output to a get 2 x variable + 1 x record loop configuration. Great product.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: steve.hughes.8314
Works well
Bought this to work with my valve power amplifier (Art Audio Concerto). This was originally designed for a passive preamplifier and the combination works well. With passive preamps system matching, output level of your source plus gain on your power amp, is critical. The volume control is none linier giving most control over lower volumes and requiring a setting between 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock with my cd player at normal listening levels. I haven't bought a phono stage yet so can't comment on this.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
The most features in its class.
this is the BEST passive pre amp available. The ability to configure the starting resistance and the operation of the second output Is invaluable.
Build quality seems excellent and the small size is a plus.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
THIS IS A GENUINE BARGAIN
I have long been sold on the virtues and vices of passive preamplifiers but have had to swallow the bitter pill that these tend to be expensive and frankly more than I can afford, and so I have "made do" witha very fine active valve preamp from Glenn Croft, which in itself is a bargain for two reasons:- 1. The cost of production is on essentials only, and, 2. There is no excesive spend on marketing and distribution.
BUT, I saw the Tisbury preamp (actually there is no amplification. The volume control is by attenuation and there is no power supply beyond the line level outputs of the sources. No power means no noise. The very small but beautifully made box does nothing more than pass on the source signals and distributes them via three inputs and two outputs. Output one can be attenuated by 10 and 20 dB, although mine works just fine without these. The second output doesn't do this, but it can be used in fixed or variable mode. All very simple and well explained in the very succinct instructions.
How does it sound? It doesn't. Quality of the sound is dependent on the sound of the sources and of the power amp. Mine are good. There is no frippery. Levels need to be adjusted manually as all three of my sources (GSP phonostage, Audiolab DAC, and Magnum Dynalab tuner) need different degrees of attenuation. The outputs are (variable) to a Meridian 555 power amp, and (fixed) to one or other of my legacy CD recorders. There is no "tape loop" as such as the outs from the recorder goes to a GSP headphone amp. Speakers are BKS 107s (rare as hens' teeth and utterly brilliant uncoloured ribbon dipoles). I also use very gentle bass assistance from REL.
The Tisbury is the final element in the wonderful sound I am enjoying, currently in lockdown. Now £159 it would be rude not to, but it would be very unlikely not to sound better than what you have, unless you already have one of Max Townshend's preamp.. One of the reasons for the way in which the Pioneer A400 integrated amp punched way above its price was that it used passive preamplification ahead of the power amp section.
The Tisbury is a bargain and an unreserved recommendation.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
lightweight top quality
this tiny passive preamp ,has lots of great features
BUT one truly Great.
thats its complete passiveness., all the music tonality
is solely up to the power amp.,and nothing of what we
hear comes from the preamp.
this is as truly should be ( but rarely never is )
this tiny piece of gear is one of the few exceptions.
and i can tell you, combined with its Phono companion ,
you get far more than expected.
other wise ,like i said on my review of the phono preamp.
this one has top quality connections as well.
beautiful wooden front and smooth metal body.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
Tisbury audio mini passive pre
Excellent well made passive preamp, doesn't get in the way of the sound, three inputs two outputs, variable attenuation,if you're interested,look on line for more info, superb value for money.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: cmbray_123
If you REALLY want to "hear" your(power)amplifier,get this little gem!
So there I was using a musical fidelity dual mono pwr/amp & active pre/amp for ages but, always thought about going "passive" pre/amplifier. I was happy with the sound reproduction but, wanted more so I took the plunge & bought this passive pre from Tisbury. I researched a lot online & came to the conclusion that for the money, the Tisbury would be a great starting point well,if this is "supposed" to be a starting point (my words,not Tisbury's),the position is very very high indeed. I'm now hearing all my pwr/amp in most (if not all) it's glory. Every aspect of my setup has improved to an extent that an item @ this price shouldn't be able to reproduce but here's the thing, I don't think that this pre/amp actually has a "sound"! Ok I would be bold enough to say that the Tisbury is your holy grail of "a straight piece of wire" hifi component. What I mean is that it really seems to be just letting the power amp do all of the music reproduction & the Tisbury does the connection & volume so it's not really a "ampifier" as such.... BRILLIANT
And remember, you can connect a subwoofer to this wonderful little unit too!
Recommend.
Five stars.
Recommended.
Five stars.
Equipment:
Musical fidelity Power Amp(dual mono)
Rega Planar2 (Rega MC Cartridge)
Rega Fono MC MK3(phono stage)
Rega Apollo(CD Player)
Copper Interconnects(WBT locking plugs)
Chord Speaker Cable (bi-wired)Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
Neat front end for discerning audiophiles.
I was using a vintage 1960’s preamp with too much gain so I had to attenuate the line level signals before connecting them to the preamp. It was untidy with all the extra connectors degrading the signal and the sound was noisy and lacked something. I bought this passive box, and it improved my listening experience considerably. Just a case of less is more. It has a tape loop - at last a manufacturer has realised that there are still some dinosaurs left out there who use tape! It’s well made and from a British company. I would highly recommend this product. I have no connection with the company except as a highly satisfied customer. On the downside I could have done with more inputs. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
Excellent preamp
This passive preamp gives excellent sound quality driving a pair of Leak 12 amplifiers with inputs provided from a Leak Troughline tuner, a Sony CD player and a Pro-ject turntable fitted with an Ortofon cartridge and amplified by a Cambridge Audio preamp .Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio
Versatile with good performance.
At first I was underwhelmed and almost returned it but I'm glad I kept it. It is a step up from the Schiit Sys with a natural tonal balance and it allowed a very large soundstage at least in my system. The dynamics were also good and I did not feel there was a lack of punch. There is a light haziness overall and it and it is not a rich kind of sound but that natural tone made it easier to listen to a wide range of musical styles. Add it's adjustable gain settings and 3 inputs and 2 outputs believe this is a good product and worth the money, Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tisburyaudio