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Post by julesd68 on Nov 4, 2019 14:59:03 GMT
Dang, dis new Townshend Allegri Reference is supa sexxy. It has everything I want in a passive. Wide range of volume control, balanced / unbalanced inputs & outputs, remote control & LED display - sorted. Just one small problem. It costs over 6k which is a lot of money for a passive of any description IMO. But then of course it isn't a passive, it's a 'Fractal Autotransformer Preamp'   |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 15:11:51 GMT
All of Max casework for his products now looks like this believe it is made in China (casework)
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Post by petea on Nov 4, 2019 15:42:36 GMT
The case design is the same as the Townshend Enigma except that does not have a display, just lights. The PSU is not shown on the website, but I guess it is the same as the one used for the Enigma (which it seems Max no longer makes). I have both an Allegri and an Enigma. Both are fabulous pre-amplifiers. The 'limitations' of the Allegri are the lack of balanced outputs, rather tight spacing of the RCA connector and the rather large volume steps plus no chance of remote control. The Enigma solved these 'issues' (as does the Allegri Reference it seems) and added remote control via a stepper motor! It was also a super pre-amplifier and had a very good headphone amplifier built in. However, I use the Allegri + in the main system and the Enigma is now in Germany to be used there as, after hours and hours of comparison (and some adjustments by Max), I decided that the Allegri had the edge: I don't use balanced connectors and could live with the largish volume steps and remote control didn't bother me. I will have a chat with Max though to see how the Reference compares with the Enigma (there is no mention of a headphone amplifier and that might go some way to explaining why it is £3K cheaper!).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2019 18:20:28 GMT
THis would be a great case to finally demonstrate the passive V's active pre's. I would certainly up for this without question.
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 4, 2019 19:13:28 GMT
julesd68 I remember the outrage when Mark Levinson/Cello started selling the Etude passive pre-amp for the outrageous sum of £750.  Look what they're (Linky) asking for them (Winky) on the secondhand market now!
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 4, 2019 19:45:55 GMT
When was it first released Chris?
£1900 is madness but perhaps it has a cult following in Japan like Tannoys etc
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 4, 2019 19:47:12 GMT
THis would be a great case to finally demonstrate the passive V's active pre's. I would certainly up for this without question. Yes please. And preferably before I 'upgrade' my passive!! |
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 4, 2019 20:30:14 GMT
When was it first released Chris? £1900 is madness but perhaps it has a cult following in Japan like Tannoys etc 1983 or 4, I think. It wouldn't have got to the UK for a few years later. I remember a review in one of 'our' magazines that would have been 86. I may still have it somewhere. |
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Post by petea on Nov 5, 2019 12:05:43 GMT
Well, the Allegri+ 'out-performed' my Onix active pre (plus SOAP PSU) and a Lab12 passive (the Pure). I have yet to make a comparison with a Teddy Pardo active pre though although that would have to be done with the Enigma as that is in Germany (as is the Lab12 now).
It is interesting that Max has incorporated his Seismic isolation into the Reference rather than the more standard feet used on the Enigma and Allegri+. I know he was interested in the performance uplift I found by isolating my Allegri using a Seismic Platform when he visited me to listen to the Enigma in another system.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2019 12:20:30 GMT
Just for reference pretty much any passive pre amp responds very well to isolation and damping due to the nature of the design.
For example the Aelgri + responds really well to BR, imho its on par with a reasonable £1a ceratin amount .5k active pre, upto a point a passive is pretty good after that unless you wish for a nice smooth polished pretty sound ala Music First reference. Max pre do have more dynamics in fairnes.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 5, 2019 13:15:37 GMT
Well, the Allegri+ 'out-performed' my Onix active pre (plus SOAP PSU) and a Lab12 passive (the Pure). I have yet to make a comparison with a Teddy Pardo active pre though although that would have to be done with the Enigma as that is in Germany (as is the Lab12 now). Is that the two box TP pre that you have Pete? How highly do you rate it? |
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Post by petea on Nov 5, 2019 18:22:32 GMT
It is. I was impressed, but that was with a different power amplifier setup than I am using now and it did not oust the Allegri from the UK system. I have yet to try it with the Lab12 Suono. I'll do that when I get back to Germany (as the TP is there now) as well as with the TP power amplifiers and my elderly Onix OA801 and report back.
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