Should I be worried about gain on TVCs? I don't think I listen that loudly, but certainly not at whisper-level either. I like to turn it up once in a while just to rock out and try to get some big dynamics going. More specifically, would a TVC have trouble with the output level of cartridges?

The specific model that I might be interested in is the Bent Audio TVC, which uses a the S&B TX-102 transformer, and has up to 6db of gain.

This depends on several things

• The output of your cartridge
  
• The gain on your phonostage
  
• The gain of your amp
  

If you have enough gain in the rest of your system, then a TVC will work just fine, if not, then you'll need an active preamp to make up the gain or an amp with more gain.

So my TVC just got here today; it uses the S&B transformer.

Let's just say that I like it a lot. It has enough gain for me in my system, and the biggest things that I noticed are improved dynamics and more realistic decay of instruments.

Overall the TVC makes my current system has a more of the "there-ness" to the music. I was listening to "Cookin' with Miles Davis Quintet", and every instrumental just sounds more real I guess. The decay on Paul Chamber's bass is ridiculously natural, the most natural I've heard so far.

Glad it worked out. They can take a while to break in too so it'll only get better from here.

Note for the future, because upgrades are inevitable. Tribute makes a nanocrystalline cobalt core autoformer volume control (click on news, inductive volume control). It's ridiculously good.

Note for the future, because upgrades are inevitable. Tribute makes a nanocrystalline cobalt core autoformer volume control (click on news, inductive volume control). It's ridiculously good.

Wonder how much a four deck balanced version would run?

@aerius:

That looks nice, but looks too rich for my blood, for now.

I remember lusting after a TVC pre-amp from DIYHifiSupply when they made them with S&B transformers (the Django).

Since all S&B TX102 transformers have since been diverted to their Music First line, I heard about the Promitheus ones from random comments on various audio forums. They rave about them quite a lot on the Audiocircle forum.

I've ordered a reference 2 box one with an upgraded C-core, ebony chassis and copper plates. Accepts 2 RCA and one balanced input - $1060

Apparently the stock one for $360 sounds pretty good. I just have complete and utter willpower failure when it comes to upgrades and options.

Still really enjoying my TVC, and I think I'm definitely going to be one of the converted now

Is there any setback (or problems that may occur) in using a TVC with SET amps? I'm sort of stumped on what I should get as a preamp for my speaker amps.

Is there any setback (or problems that may occur) in using a TVC with SET amps? I'm sort of stumped on what I should get as a preamp for my speaker amps.

I'm looking at the Hagerman Cornet.

http://www.hagtech.com/cornet.html

I'm looking at the Hagerman Cornet.

http://www.hagtech.com/cornet.html

Huh?

Nevermind I'm confused.

Is there any setback (or problems that may occur) in using a TVC with SET amps? I'm sort of stumped on what I should get as a preamp for my speaker amps.

Well, other than killing you dead and blowing up your speakers there's not much of a problem...

Well, other than killing you dead and blowing up your speakers there's not much of a problem...

While I'm always eager to learn of more obscure ways of death, is there a preamp/volume control that will work in my situation that won't degrade the signal from my source (much)?

is there a preamp/volume control that will work in my situation that won't degrade the signal from my source (much)?

Yes, the RSA Stealth. An active pre-amp which has a higher output impedance than a simple passive pot, truly a breakthrough in circuit design.

So my TVC just got here today; it uses the S&B transformer.

Let's just say that I like it a lot. It has enough gain for me in my system, and the biggest things that I noticed are improved dynamics and more realistic decay of instruments.

Overall the TVC makes my current system has a more of the "there-ness" to the music. I was listening to "Cookin' with Miles Davis Quintet", and every instrumental just sounds more real I guess. The decay on Paul Chamber's bass is ridiculously natural, the most natural I've heard so far.

I used to have the Bent Audio TVC. What preamp did your TVC replace? TVC's are great, especially at their prices, and there's certainly a lot less chance of screwing up something important compared to complicated active preamps. Just like headphones, people will have different preferences, some swearing by only active preamps, some preferring the sound of resistor-based passive attentuators (like me)