Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Sonographe SC26 Preamplifier (SS) by Luminator

Model:	SC26
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$995
Description:	solid state line-level preamplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Sonographe

Review by Luminator on November 30, 2007 at 10:53:36
IP Address: 66.47.253.226 Add Your Review
for the SC26

For the full scoop, go to my blog . I update this on most weekdays, so in order to find the review of the Sonographe SC26, you'll have to go to the left hand side, and scroll down until you find the Posting Calendar. Begin with the November 27, 2007 entry.

Here's a brief recap:

11/27/2007: introduction, background, front panel
11/28/2007: RCA jacks, innards, comparison to CJ PV-10A
11/29/2007: fixed powercord, remote, control board
11/30/2007: volume control steps, match with CJ MF-2250A

The Sonographe SC26 has a volume control range of -80dB to +20dB. Those steps are 0.5dB each. This alone makes the SC26 compatible with just about any single-ended (unbalanced) system. So if you're one of the thousands of audiophiles silently (or not so silently) suffering with getting blasted out of the room, even with the preamp's volume control at MIN, you need to check out the SC26.

If you were to make a checklist of sonic parameters, the SC26 would rate "fair" or "so-so" on each and every one. It is not excellent in any sonic feature, such as "speed," "transparency," "bass control," and "treble extension." But neither is it poor. By spreading its weaknesses over the entire audible spectrum, the SC26 lets you know that you're not getting high-rez, super-duper high-end performance. Yet, nothing sticks out, nothing is grossly distorted, nothing is obviously missing.

My reference preamps are the Mark Levinson No. 326S and Simaudio P-8. If you're used to preamps as clean as these, you're going to accuse the SC26 of being mediocre. But if you're coming from the opposite side, you may see the SC26 as "evenly balanced." And that makes the SC26 unbiased, when it come to reproducing the music we love.

Many times, I just leave my Sony ST-S550ES tuner on, and the SC26 just lets the music play all day.

Sure, my Rega P9/Koetsu Jade/EAR 324 combo sounds awesome through the SC26. But the P3/Sumiko BPS/CIAudio VPP-1 is no less endearing.

The Naim CDX2/XPS2 makes the SC26 fly. But the Eastern Electric Minimax CD is every bit as fun.

Yeah, I get the most out of the SC26 by lashing it up with Nordost Odin. But it sounds just fine with Kimber Timbre.

It's just too bad that Conrad Johnson did not expand upon the SC26. CJ took away the 100-dB volume control range, and severely limited that of their own preamps. Every CJ preamp I've tried does not have enough volume control range. Even with the volume control at "01," the sound is a bit loud. Furthermore, the SC26, unlike CJ's other preamps, does not invert polarity.

The SC26 filled an important niche. It was good and compatible enough, that you could get one, and not worry about preamps for a long, long time. It could hold you until you could afford the likes of the Mark Levinson No. 326S and Simaudio P-8.

The Sonographe SC26 makes a good blueprint. Other manufacturers need to follow its lead, and improve upon it. I would suggest adding an IEC jack, so audiophiles could improve performance with an aftermarket powercord. The unit does, like a lot of electronics, emit a low-level buzzing noise. Some people clamor for an internal phonostage, and there's certainly ample space inside of the SC26 for one. And other people prefer to change the color of the red LED.

Nevertheless, the Sonographe S26 was a winner, and I wish more preamps incorporated its 100-dB volume control range.

-Lummy The Seahorse

Product Weakness:	Discontinued; so-so parts quality; no IEC jack; unit makes slight buzzing noise; no phonostage options
Product Strengths:	Unmatched ergonomics; pale gold colored faceplate looks nice

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Conrad Johnson MF-2250A, MV-60SE; Sonographe SA-250
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Mark Levinson No. 326S, Simaudio P-8
Sources (CDP/Turntable): EAR Acute, Esoteric DV-60, Naim CDX2/XPS2
Speakers: Audio Physic Spark; Sonus Faber concertino, Grand Piano Home, Cremona Auditor, Guarneri Memento; Thiel CS2.4
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber Timbre, Silver Streak, 4TC; Nordost Valhalla; Tara Labs The One; XLO Signature, Limited Edition
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, pop, oldies, R&B, thrash, hip-hop, disco, news, sports
Time Period/Length of Audition: 11 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Nordost Thor, Power Wing
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Conrad Johnson MF-2250A, MV-60SE; Sonographe SA-250
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Mark Levinson No. 326S, Simaudio P-8
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	EAR Acute, Esoteric DV-60, Naim CDX2/XPS2
Speakers:	Audio Physic Spark; Sonus Faber concertino, Grand Piano Home, Cremona Auditor, Guarneri Memento; Thiel CS2.4
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber Timbre, Silver Streak, 4TC; Nordost Valhalla; Tara Labs The One; XLO Signature, Limited Edition
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, pop, oldies, R&B, thrash, hip-hop, disco, news, sports
Time Period/Length of Audition:	11 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Nordost Thor, Power Wing
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner