RADA Precious One Phono

[oeno]

How do you charge the batteries - do you have a battery management system?

Each of the two 12V batteries has their own internal BMS, monitoring overheating, voltage and other parameters. In the first picture above, next to the King Lear book, you see the battery charger and its long cord connected to the batteries. This charger is specifically designed for this particular kind of batteries--full charge from dead to full in 10 hours. However, a complicating factor is that i keep my DAC and streamer always turned on, so there is a constant 80W draw, which one needs to take into account for charging. The charger is also designed to gradually increase charge on start-up and then gradually decline on full charge. I can provide full details of course on the brand, specs, etc.

Does the inverter generate significant EMI/RFI? I have no way to measure this but I would assume some EMI/RFI--but that is where the Puritan Audio Labs conditioner comes into play. That device has been measured and shown to markedly reduce noise. I have only used my battery system with the Puritan, and currently I am not using any of the inverter's AC plugs. I have a Furutech AC plug attached to the terminal block on the battery, and the Puritan connects to that.

Given my repeated months of using these battery systems--Eco Flow and Goal Zero along with the Puritan--versus plugging into the wall, the sonics are better in just the kind of way one would infer if there was less noise. Can I measurably prove this at this time? No, but my ears are not lying to me.

Note also that LifePo4 batteries, an inverter and a charger is exactly what is in the Stromtank. I have seen pictures of their internals and can identify the batteries and the inverter, and the brand of inverter. But I don't think the Stromtank has any filtering inside it such that the Puritan provides. Of course I could be wrong and don't wish to diss or disparage the 'Tank as I have never heard it.

 

[Solypsa]

I have a ( last one in this series ) RADA Precious One coming in October for a client. He has had some things come up and may be willing to pass it along if there is interest from a N.A buyer. Just an fyi.

 

[plasmod3]

This thread needs more life!

I just got my precious one and hooked it all up. It sounds amazing! As Bill says dead quiet and the sound is detailed lively and natural. I am pretty much sold on this phono! From what I gather the precious one run is pretty much over atm.

 

[plasmod3]

Tube rolling on this.... The rectifier that came with it was a mini watt. Have Marconi and gec ones enroute. Let's see how they sound

 

[Solypsa]

This thread needs more life!

I just got my precious one and hooked it all up. It sounds amazing! As Bill says dead quiet and the sound is detailed lively and natural. I am pretty much sold on this phono! From what I gather the precious one run is pretty much over atm.

Nice!

Yep the guys at RADA are working towards a revised Precious One for later next year sometime as I mentioned before, but for now this edition is sold out! ( see my post 62 )

 

[Solypsa]

@plasmod3 what cart ( and SUT ) are you using with your Precious One btw?

 

[Solypsa]

Btw for wbf members going to the AVS audio show in Poland this weekend, there is a chance to hear RADA. Afaik they are showing with J. Sikora and Aidas.

 

[plasmod3]

@plasmod3 what cart ( and SUT ) are you using with your Precious One btw?

Sut is a 1:20 silver transformer sut, no brand cart is the phasmation 1000

Found a tube that uplifts the sound +++

The 6900 was no good I'm afraid, fried and it was left wanting. So far the E182cc still the best. I am using a horseshoe getter black plate pinched waist mullard E182cc. That tube is phenomenal in the sut. Simply wow!

 

[plasmod3]

Found a good tube for the precious one to replace the 6au6.get the Mazda 6au6 the 5 star one.

 

[Nakor]

Btw for wbf members going to the AVS audio show in Poland this weekend, there is a chance to hear RADA. Afaik they are showing with J. Sikora and Aidas.

That was one of the better rooms at the Radisson. Only realised that it was this RADA when I was back home.

 

[Solypsa]

Aidas cartridge
RADA electronics
8MM Audiolab speakers

A Lithuanian trifecta

 

[Bart77]

That was one of the better rooms at the Radisson. Only realised that it was this RADA when I was back home.

View attachment 100543

In fact, the music in this room sounded very good. Thanks to the Rada representatives, I had the opportunity to pick up a version of Precious and Precious one for one day. Both devices are made very well. The simplified version is definitely different from the One version. The sound is thinner, less spacious with less accentuated bass.

The Precious One preamplifier sounded much better. This is probably due to the components that are definitely better in this version, including silver transformers, a huge Miflex capacitor and many NOS components.

My system is quite specific though. These are active loudspeakers of the Polish brand Sveda Audio combined with the Polish Lampizator Golden Gate DAC. Maybe that's why the Rada didn't work in my system. Maybe I'll write it differently - not only that it didn't work, but more that it didn't pull me out of my head. And honestly, that's what I expected. Even the richer version sounded very comparable to the preamplifier of the local Polish TR Audio manufacturer, the Consulere model, that I owned and from time to time I'm tempted to change things up. However, it is an excellent MM/MC device that you can see in the pictures below. Maybe someday I will be tempted to describe my impressions, but probably only when I can freely dismantle the protective grille currently protecting the equipment from the hands of my 8 month old son

 

[Solypsa]

@Bart77 RADA will release an upgraded standard Precious this coming spring. All concerns will be addressed! Thanks for your listening experiences!

Meanwhile another Precious One Silver has landed state side this weekend

 

[Solypsa]

Pic

 

[Bart77]

@Bart77 RADA will release an upgraded standard Precious this coming spring. All concerns will be addressed! Thanks for your listening experiences!

Meanwhile another Precious One Silver has landed state side this weekend

There is nothing to be addressed to be honest. This is great phono stage, but better not for active speakers

 

[Fafan111]

I received my Precious One Silver phono a few days ago and my expectation has been far surpassed. I do not have much experience with high-end gear or different setups to help the members triangulate what I am hearing but I never imagined my vinyl setup could sound this good. It is the first time where I truly felt it far exceeded my digital rig journey (past Wavedream Signature, currently Abbas dac 2.3). Analog to me has been a just a different medium to play music albeit more musical one, not necessarily “better” or meaningful to differentiate. Not with Precious One. It is the first time where I heard small notes, harmonics that I never heard before, individual notes had subtle crescendos and decays and not just a flat beep that truly gave me joy. Dynamics was tight and snappy and powerful with ample bass. Every note had it’s own clear 3D space. Overall sound is clean and effortless. Somewhat similar to when I first heard silver AVC but magnified in experience. Great soundstaging, not blown out with ample front-back depth. Mine came installed with (RT) e182cc tube so I imagine I am already hearing the best it could offer based on previous posts. I have several Amperex Holland e182cc that was recommended to me that I will eventually try but I like what I am hearing now.

A quick comparison from memory, Allnic 1201 sounded very gooey with nice bass. Precious One silver is easily 10 leagues above that. Also had cheaper phono preamp not much to speak of for comparison. I guess I jumped right to the high-end. Sound is every way better than the Soundsmith SG-200 system I had before both in resolution and musicality.

System wise, I am using a modest vintage cart, Signet Tk7su and STST Motus II with in-house tonearm (purchased via Solypsa, a highly recommended experience). I cant imagine what it would sound with better cartridge and am highly curious about RADA silver SUTs for my future path. This phono preamp will be a permanent keeper in my system (along with emia silver avc). RADA products should be on serious consideration for everyone here.

 

[Fafan111]

 

[plasmod3]

View attachment 100979

Sounds better with the top cover off

 

[Ron Resnick]

View attachment 100979

That’s a beautiful set-up, Fafan111!

Welcome to the musical joy of analog!

 

[Fafan111]

Unfortunate life circumstances pushes me towards selling my Precious One (silver). Thought I would keep this unit forever. Please send me a PM if interested. Located in USA. Thank you