Time to update this thread. The B1 preamp had a single rail Salas shunt installed inside. Sound? like a million bucks, surprising for a DIY project but knowing Nelson Pass, the B1 preamp with Salas shunt will give you high end sound without breaking the bank. The basic B1(without shunt) was even compared to an 18,000 USD line hybrid preamp. . .
Concert fidelity CF-080. . .
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue4 ... delity.htmand the basic B1 was able to hold it's own
Time for a partner. . .
A Nelson Pass DIY F5 25 watts pure class A power amp perhaps?
* Notice the heavy duty traffo made by Edrel Sison? high quality craftmanship!(sounds better than a toroidal traffo IMHO
)
The 4 caps are only temporary, 10,000 microfarads each, soon to be replaced with three industrial grade Cornell Dubilier caps (33,000 microfarads each)
Heard the F5 mated to a B1 a few hours ago. . .the sound is ultra clean and detailed without sounding sterile. The mids, warm, lush and romantic, highs mids and lows in perfect balance!. . .true high end definition. . .It can even drive low sensitivity speakers with ease. . .I fell in love immediately
Forget the ultra expensive amps with high end names. . .THIS is the real deal!!!
Costing less than 50k for the pair. . .I can say that the B1 and F5 is truly a match made in heaven!!!