Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Wright Sound Company WPP200C Phono Preamp by Bosh

Model:	WPP200C
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$845.00
Description:	Tube Phono Preamplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Wright Sound Company
Model Picture:	View

Review by Bosh ( A ) on September 29, 2006 at 13:00:47
IP Address: 67.86.88.46

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The WPP200C has transformed my appreciation of vinyl from largely nostalgic to a genuine software preference. It was always good; I just didn't know how good it could really be.
This unit features of tube compliment of two 12AX7/ECC83 and two 5963/12AU7A/ECC82 for a total of four tubes in the preamp section. The seperate power supply is also tubed and uses one 6EM7/6GL7 (or 6FM7/6FY7) and one 6X4/6202. Phono Equalization is RIAA starndard, accurate within 1.0dB between 20 Hz and 20kHz. The Input Impedance is 47 kilohms shunted by 100pF and the Output is 2 kilohms, nominal (will drive loads down to 600 ohms with minimal loss of output level).
Output level is 2 volts peak-to-peak, nominal, when used with MM or High Output MC cartridges. For very low output MCs, a seperate step-up transformer is available from Wright.
A two-piece unit (in case you missed that), the peramp itself is is sheathed in clear-coated copper; thus presenting a copper-clad ground plane for for minimal hum--not to mention strikingly cool looks. In addition to the tubes, the pre presents two independent level controls allowing great (and super-simple) flexibility in cartridge matching. The seperate power section is black powder coat with one on/off switch, connected to the pre with a four-conductor umbilical cable.
All wiring is by hand point-to-point and the power supply has its own "well filtered filament line".
Build quality is beyond reproach and overall design is, well, exposed tubes. Simple, small and sleek in its all-function, zero flash way.
Enough, already. All the other specs you may need are on the website. Let's get to where the needle meets the wax.
After a dead-easy setup and initial warm-up, I was ready to drop the arm and start level-matching (but only AFTER I neglected to install the one, seperately packed power unit tube and paniced, thinking I was shipped a misfit toy. Hey, it's hard to be an audiophile and an idiot).
The cartridge in play, a high output Grado Master Reference (or is that Reference Master?) required less than a quarter-turn to reach my desired output. And the first thing I noticed? Detail, detail, detail.
Out of a background of only the slightest, low-level hiss (ear-to-cone) came an entire, brand new menu of sonic detail from albums I've owned for years...in some cases since High School. Bass was tight, punchy and the air! So deep and dimensional it literally took my breath a few times.
Much as I love my new Jolida JD100 CDP, much as it's made redbook a truly musical expeience in my system--everytime I put down a black pancake and fire up the Wright I remember what hooked me on this hobby in the first place.
Service from George [Wright] and company was excellent; polite, informed and speedy.
I'm something of a tightwad and thus a major seeker and fan of Giant Killers. For less than a thousand bucks, the Wright Sound Company WPP200C is more than capable of slaying a few Golliaths. Then maybe having a drink at lunch.

Product Weakness: A hard-wired power cord might bug cable tweakers.
Product Strengths: Sound, price, build, price and sound again.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	ASL Integrated MG-SI 15 SET
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI Scout w/JMW M-Tonearm (9
Speakers:	Omega Grande 8
Cables/Interconnects:	VPI ICs from TT to Pre; Signal Cable Analog Two from Pre to Amp.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, HEM, Beck, Citizen Cope, Stanley Clarke, Led Zep...
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 18 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	-
Time Period/Length of Audition:	One Month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Power HTS1600; Audio Magic, Harmonic Tech and Virtual Dynamics PCs
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	-

Product Weakness:	A hard-wired power cord might bug cable tweakers.
Product Strengths:	Sound, price, build, price and sound again.