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REVIEW: Electronic Tonalities Foreplay Preamplifier (Tube) Review by RBP at Audio Asylum

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Their has much "ado" about the foreplay from Electronic tonalities.

In respect to the various post,situations, and comments about this "99 Dollar Wonder", I felt compelled to try one myself.

I Have owned various preamplifiers in the past. Audio research, Dynaco,Presicion Fidelity, McIntosh, Heathkit, Scott, Marantz, Carver, NAD,
Yamaha, ...well you get the idea. Each one with it's own unique sound, and features.

Electronic Tonalities is a company that is currently offering "kits" for amplifiers, Preamp, speakers, wire, upgrades, and a forum for support.

"Doc Bottlehead" and his staff are not in it to make a killing, just to offer their hard work and dedication, in form of examples, with well thoughtout instructions, so the average "Joe" can get interested in building and enjoying electronics. Some Kits are advanced, but the foreplay is considered a "level 1" kit, for novice builders.

The construction of the unit requires proper tools, (outlined in the Building manual)a few other spare parts...Like wire and such. The unit has an Optional "base" avalible for finishing.

Construction (with a neat, tidy work area) took approx. 5 to 6 hours, and was rather routine. Testing the components took an additional 30 Min.and then it is time to fire it up.

Operation is quite simple. One power switch, a separate left/right gain, and input selection for 3 "line level" inputs.

After 2 to 3 hours listening, I knew their was something special about this little unit. To me the sound is rock solid, no noise, wide clean soundstage, and no hint of distress, or distortion. Quite simply the unit completely outclasses the Dynaco PAS2.

After 50 hours of continuious use, I came back to it to indulge myself...since the unit has been breaking in....rather nicely. To my dismay, I had no signal. I disconnected the unit, and found a small problem attribuited to the power transformer. "Doc" has these especially made for this kit, and this particular "run" of transformers, had a small problem with internal connection. I emailed "Bottlehead" and due to stock, Mr. B, red labled me a new Trannie. You cannot beat service like this. I did not have to lift a finger, and the next morning, the new part. We both are glad that the stock situation allowed this.

During installation of the new transformer, I desided to try one of the Modifications to the unit called a "snubber circuit". A 2 dollar modification credited to the late "Budda".

I have no reservations saying this preamplifier sounds as good as the best preamplifier I have ever had, and overshadows all the Solid state units.

Deep smooth soundstage...(Running it with a Stock Dynaco ST 70), powerful and behaved bass, no edgyness, no noise.

Truly one of the very best values in audio today.

A double thumbs up !!!!!!


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Topic - REVIEW: Electronic Tonalities Foreplay Preamplifier (Tube) Review by RBP at Audio Asylum - RBP 21:02:12 05/18/00 ( 0)