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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: BEZ Q4P Preamplifier (Tube) by Michael Lee

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REVIEW: BEZ Q4P Preamplifier (Tube)

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Model: Q4P
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $250
Description: SRPP tube rectified and regulated line stage preamp (NO phono)
Manufacturer URL: Not Available
Manufacturer URL: Not Available

Review by Michael Lee ( A ) on December 17, 2003 at 21:00:18
IP Address: 203.22.202.104
Add Your Review
for the Q4P


Description:
Tube rectified (5AR4) and tube regulated (one OD3 and one OD4), using a pair of 6SN7 triode signal tubes, 23-position stepped attenuator, 3-source switch, user selectable 110/220V voltage, IEC detachable chord. Various brands of capacitors - SK (Taiwanese, yellow in color), ROE, paper-in-oil caps as claimed by the Ebay seller (don't exactly know at which point in the circuit the paper-in-oil cap is located). Point to point wiring. If built in the US, UK or Australia, the item would cost a minimum of 4 figures, based on part count and labor involved.
Product URL
http://www.bezdz.com/cpj1.htm

Comment on Component Matching:
Product has a certain synergy with the Bez 300b power amplifier, using either a pair of Shuguang 300Bs or Tianjin Mesh Plate 300Bs. Does not go particularly well with the Audion Silver Sterling running a pair of 6550s single ended.

Conclusion:
(a) At US$250 + approximately US$50 for a Mullard GZ34 rectifier, $10 for set of RCA or GE OD3 and OD4 regulation tubes, and US$60 to $80 for a pair of red-base RCA 6SN7s, the preamplifier sounds pretty good if you like a
"sweet" presenation as opposed to an "two dimensional in-your-face" presentation.
(b) Believe the product has potential to improve with capacitor upgrade (Jensen or Auricap), rewiring the critical signal paths with better cable (eg Kimber silver hook-up wire), etc, etc.


Product Weakness: (a) Not the last in mid or high frequency resolution, in comparison with other preampliers having solid-state regulation & rectification. This issue can be alleviated through the use of NOS tubes in the signal and power side. Yes, you read right. Changing the rectifier and/or one or both regulators WILL improve the sound. Music has a sense of weight, with improved dynamics extending into the mids and highs.
(b) Stepped attenuator could do with more attenuation for the first 4 or 5 clicks. The minimum position is a bit lound for my taste.
Product Strengths: (a) Renders music with good sense of swing (could be intepreted as bass being slightly bloaty) and sweet mids.
(b) Very quiet preamp - no hum nor hiss. Not bad for US$250.
(c) Appropriately sensitive to tube rolling - meaning fitting a better tube will result in better (not worse!) sound.
(d) Well built despite the untidy looking soldering and occasional coarse finishing. Easy to acces by removing 8 or 10 screws from the base.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Bez T3B (300B)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Bez Q4B
Sources (CDP/Turntable): CEC TL5100 transport, Audio Alchemy DDE3.0 DAC
Speakers: Monitor Audio MA3 (3-way, 1976 manufacture)
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber PBJ, Wireworld Gold Eclipse (alternative to PBJ), six-core silver interconnect, Kimber AGDL digital interconnect
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Classics, Live Vocals
Room Size (LxWxH): 5m x 8m x 3m
Room Comments/Treatments: Glassed doors on one-side, fabric furnishings, listening position is on the short side of the room
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: BEZ Q4P Preamplifier (Tube) - Michael Lee 21:00:18 12/17/03 ( 1)