[UntilThen]

Wow LF339i as preamp out to SMSL SP200 changes the $260 THX AAA 888 tone from a very transparent and neutral tone to add a delicate tube tone to it. This is definitely an improved tone and has elevated the SP200 to another class. Don't forget that changing tubes in the LF339i also alter the preamp out sound.

I can't believe the usefulness of LF339i now. What I once thought of the preamp function as gimmick is now an important feature of LF339i. This alone has made the leap to LF339i more than justified.

Ok I'm not going to throw away the SP200 now. It actually sound good now !

 

[UntilThen]

How about pre-amp out to speakers?

Wonder if it gives speakers that extra organic sound.

I don't have an active pair of speakers to try that out but if I preamp LF339i out to my Sansui 907mr to drive my Axis LS88 floor standers, it will alter the sound.

There's every reason to believe that preamp out LF339i into active speakers will affect the speakers sound.

So Bruce why don't you bring your active speakers over and we can test it out.

 

[UntilThen]

I did not get LF339i for it's preamp out functionality. Was only interested in the lovely organic tone of LF339i but now I have a new respect for this OTL amp.

Yuking implemented more than just the preamp I am very sure. LF339i definitely sounded smoother and more enjoyable - BUT I need to have the LF339 and LF339i side by side to be sure.

 

[UntilThen]

Shocking - Dac > LF339i preamp > SP200 is comparable to dac > Violectric v280. The former just still a touch less warm. That's how much the LF339i (RCA 5693 + GEC 6080) influenced the SMSL SP200 tone.

Admittedly I still prefer dac > v280 > Hekse than Dac > LF339i preamp > SP200 > Hekse

but just comparing dac > v280 vs dac > LF339i now that's a tough call. Tighter, faster tone of the solid state vs the organic and 3D tone of the OTL amp.

 

[hp4fun]

Shocking - Dac > LF339i preamp > SP200 is comparable to dac > Violectric v280. The former just still a touch less warm. That's how much the LF339i (RCA 5693 + GEC 6080) influenced the SMSL SP200 tone.

Now I don't need to think about Violectric V280/V281 every night.

While I love 339i as a preamp to another headphone amp, I did not have good experiences of using it as preamp out to speakers power amp (old adcom 545 and new Marantz 7025). Maybe active speaker is something different but I did not have a pair.

 

[jonathan c]

Shocking - Dac > LF339i preamp > SP200 is comparable to dac > Violectric v280. The former just still a touch less warm. That's how much the LF339i (RCA 5693 + GEC 6080) influenced the SMSL SP200 tone.

Admittedly I still prefer dac > v280 > Hekse than Dac > LF339i preamp > SP200 > Hekse

but just comparing dac > v280 vs dac > LF339i now that's a tough call. Tighter, faster tone of the solid state vs the organic and 3D tone of the OTL amp.

That first sentence is really saying a lot particularly given the extra interconnects needed.

 

[adeadcrab]

LF339i as preamp out to v280 is a great tone. So much more body and heave now. Still details galore. I'm strictly using He1000se as my headphone now. I can't believe LF339i handles preamp duties so well.

Next I'll use LF339i as preamp to SMSL SP200. This is similar to @adeadcrab and @hp4fun using LF339i as preamp out to THX 789. So let's see....

I knew you couldn't resist..

 

[UntilThen]

While I love 339i as a preamp to another headphone amp, I did not have good experiences of using it as preamp out to speakers power amp (old adcom 545 and new Marantz 7025). Maybe active speaker is something different but I did not have a pair.

I don't expect LF339i to function to the standard of a high end HiFi preamp unit. That would be asking too much. It's just too difficult to hook up to my HiFi system.

There it is - the whole mess.

 

[Bruc3]

So Bruce why don't you bring your active speakers over and we can test it out.

One of these days I need to make a trip to your place, you have so much gear I could probably spend all day there hehe..

 

[UntilThen]

One of these days I need to make a trip to your place, you have so much gear I could probably spend all day there hehe..

Sure let me know when because I'm a man of 2 cities.

 

[Bruc3]

Sure let me know when because I'm a man of 2 cities.

Will do, thanks.

 

[hp4fun]

I don't expect LF339i to function to the standard of a high end HiFi preamp unit. That would be asking too much. It's just too difficult to hook up to my HiFi system.

There it is - the whole mess.

I don't expect that too, but my much cheaper SMSL T1 tube amp works fine with my old adcom. I used them to power HE6SE and this is a setup that produces a sound that is close to a loudspeaker system.

It just seems that the 339i's gain is too high.

 

[UntilThen]

Now I don't need to think about Violectric V280/V281 every night.

Not so fast. v280 is still a class of it's own. Just did more listening and LF339i > SP200 isn't quite there yet with v280 direct. The Violectric has a very lovely solid state nested with tube tone that is unique.

It just seems that the 339i's gain is too high.

Probably true as preamp out to HiFi speakers but as preamp out to headphone amps, it's doing a great job.


Btw I just bought a 4 months old Schiit Bifrost2 in black. Questyle CMA Twelve will go because it's in excess now and the dac in Bifrost2 will be better than the dac in CMA 12. Bifrost2 should partner well with LF339i or as a backup to my Yggdrasil.

 

[UntilThen]

Sigh CMA 12 sold. Now I have to use Topping D10 with LF339i until Bifrost2 arrives 3 days later.

 

[xtiva]

Figaro has landed and in a word, it's amazing. Quality of fit and finish surpass my expectations on this new model. I am totally caught off guard. Volume knob turning is very smooth !

1st impression with RCA 5693 and Tung Sol 7236 is you don't need better because better is already here. Any notion of me wanting to upgrade this LF339i is out of the window now. It's simply gorgeous sounding and no hum, no hiss, no noise until 1 o'clock. That is very good !

Not having my previous gorgeous silver LF339 to compare, I'd say I really love this tone but I've not use Tung Sol 7236 in my previous LF339, only in my previous, previous version which is @Bruc3 version which I sold to him. Now my previous version is going to @xtiva and current version will stay with me for eternity.

So if you haven't already gotten a LF339i (the latest model with preamp) and you're on the fence, run and don't walk to get one !

Yeah can't wait for my LF hope the border opens soon

Let us know how your new Bifrost is compared to CMA12