Bottlehead Reduction (+ Integration) Phono Preamp Loaner

Sure on the way back.

 

The Reduction is on its way to @JoshMorr, OJ's method of packing is easy and seemingly effective, I left the masking tape on. I packaged the tubes as I received them, which I believe means the Sovtek Primos are the ones in the white boxes, and stock Sovtek's loose, but hopefully @OJneg can confirm as I couldn't tell via markings.



I appreciate being apart of this loaner and enjoyed my time with it. I'll start a thread for the reduction in the vinyl nutjob section (or just in the phono pre thread?) and post some short vinyl noob impressions in the near future.

Edit: Reduction Thread here http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bottlehead-reduction-phono-preamp.2248/

 

I think start a bottlehead reduction impressions, will be better reference or future visitors.

Looking forward to putting my hands on this. Will verify everything once it gets here. Thanks pooch!

 

Guess what came in the mail today! For the most part everything arrived in good shape. One of the socket sleeves came a bit bent, but I think the USPS box has been used a couple of times and looked like it had a rough journey coast to coast. I will get a new box when I go to USPS this time, and see if I can put some foam around these. Lightweight aluminum bent right back, no issues. Everything else is in the right place. I took off the masking tape holding the chassis to the wooden base. Masking tape adhesive is a bitch to remove from wood or metal if left too long, you can see a bit in the pictures below. One time I removed finish off a very expensive white oak wood floor because I left some tape on the floor for too long. I included pictures of everything in the box (tubes, shields etc) for future reference.

For the next couple of nights I am just going to listen, see if I can get a feel for it. Next couple of days after that I will try to compare with the other pre's I have on hand. Excited to be part of this tour - Thanks OJ!

@BioniclePhile you're next on the list, PM me your address when you get a chance. I will likely keep this for the weekend and send out when time allows next week.

 

Thanks for the additional care guys, I really appreciate it.

 

Shoot, was there anything pushing up against it or anything obvious to look out for for future packers? I am happy to track down the part and replace.

Otherwise I'm glad the other 99% arrived great!

 

Nothing to replace, it bent right back into shape. I looked at packaging, and at the picture you posted, and I still just think it's the box that's the problem. Probably shifted around a bit during shipping. BH stuff is tricky to ship, but I don't think there are any major underlying issues, I will figure something simple out.

Quick impression: using the tubes in the plain white boxes - think it said ecc (edit: looks like sovtek premium from pooch's post above) - had to use shields, got weird feedback at random times. Shields def fixed. Very engaging, very musical, really enjoying so far.

 

I was making an educated guess the sovtek premiums were the ones in white boxes, and the stocks "loose" but if that's backwards please let us know @OJneg.

Also IDK what you mean by "weird feedback" but I did have what we concluded as seating issue with one of the sovtek primos. Simply taking them out, switching left/right, and putting back in fixed permanently. I never tried the black shield things

 

I didn't think to try and see if it was a tube issue. Also shields didn't fix the noise, which I am guessing is the tubes, or possible EM noise. Maybe I should set the pre further away from the amp.

 

@BioniclePhile seems to be MIA, no word this week on address. @Pyruvate is next on the list if I don't hear back. Should ship out sometime middle of next week.

 

@Pyruvate your next in line. Pm me your address and I will get this shipped out to you. Bionicle wishes to be bumped down the list. Want to try some things out tonight and will get shipped Wed/Thurs.

 

Thanks to @JoshMorr , the Reduction has arrived at my doorstep. Got it hooked up and it sounds amazing. A couple things though (might've occurred during transit):

-One of the loose pair of tubes (the unmarked ones, which I believe are stock) has bent prongs

-the wooden base is falling apart, I taped together one of the sides in place. Also, a couple corners have been nicked

-box is in fair shape, I'll ship it off in a new one just in case

I'll contact the next person on the list soon, but how long am I allowed to keep the phono? Let me know guys, and thanks again for the opportunity!

 

2-3 weeks

 

Damn, I tried to pack the hell out of it. New box, lots of tape, bubble wrap, marked fragile. I took pictures just in case. I never checked the stock tubes - may have come to me bent, maybe after it left me. Box looked like it was in decent condition though? I think the large USPS flat rate box may be juuuust too small. I know I had trouble getting it all in there. Hope you enjoy @Pyruvate !

 

I guess next person on the list is @velvetx? If so, I'll pm him soon and have it shipped this coming Monday!

 

@velvetx should be in the Bay Area. Can you two drop off?

 

Drop off? Not quite sure if I understand.

I'm actually going to stop by @shaizada 's this weekend to pick up my record sleeves, if you'd rather have the reduction take a detour through SoCal first, let me know.

 

I think @JK47 should get his turn early. He can get it to me after, as I need to hand off a lot of other stuff to @velvetx eventually.

 

Scratch that just had a chat with @JK47 and he won't be in the area this weekend. I'll shimmy up there and take it off your hands. It'll get to him when he's ready.