new model Nina, tube tape head preamp

[stellavox]

Victor,

If 100 is your "viability point" - don't (begin to) do it.

Charles

 

[Foxbat]

R2R is a small branch of audio hobby, and external preamps is its small sub-group. I truly wish it enjoyed wider popularity. I think one thing that is slowing it down is the fear of butchering a fine and expensive deck - kinda like drilling a hole to install a USB charger in your 1961 Ferrari.

 

[Two-Track Analog]

Hi Steve,

We have had some discussions on the subject over the years. The first such such device was built over 20 years ago and it worked well, but back then there was no general availability of quality prerecorded material. With the R2R revival the interest in such a product reappeared, but never to the point of actually doing it. The market is still very small... we felt we would probably sell 100 of our phono stages for one head pre, so its development was not justified - for us. It would involve mainly the industrial design and interface, but we already have our hands full with other projects.

At this time I have three such units of different vintage in my system, the oldest one due to an upgrade.

Victor

I guessed volume might not be enough to justify the efforts. EveAnna Manley echoed your sentiment a few years ago when I reached out to her about doing another run of the Manley tape pre. She said they sold one every few months when they were available and that she'd rather stick to higher sales volume products.

 

[Foxbat]

Yes... the standard ROI analysis.

 

[revolved70]

I currently have a set of those Manley Tape Repo units for sale on Reverb. Feel free to PM me here as well if anyone is interested...

 

[Pacha]

Hi Holger, Wishing you the best with your new tape preamp. Hoping it has the same high quality parts found in your R2R re-cap kits.
All the best

 

[Ron Resnick]

Is the Nina or some other tube tape preamp still being made?