Space-Tech Labs (custom manufacturing)

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi everyone,

It's entirely possible that a new preamp or phono pre is in my future, and I've been looking around at the various sites for options. I'm open to both new and used. I do however want to have a tubed unit. That's my one criteria.

While browsing through Canuck Audio Mart I noticed some units offered by this company and decided to check out their site. It looks like there are many models available and upgrades galore. From the feedback at CAM, people seem to really like the quality and performance.

He has a preamp with MM/MC phono section Model #CP-101 which is priced at $1,580 CDN + 12% tax and Shipping. This is something I could afford, as I do not want to go over $2,000. I'm a little leery about buying online for this, but if the performance is as he claims then I should be fine.

I know nothing about tubes and things technical as you know, so could you have a look at this and give me your impressions? Advice as well and be completely honest (you always are anyway). If you think I'd be taken too much of a gamble, say so, please.

As usual, thanks so much for helping me out and have a great day!

 

[mep]

John-I have never heard this preamp before and I know nothing about the company so unfortunately I can't provide any input as to how this unit sounds. Since they are bragging about having 70dB+ of gain in the phono section, I'm pretty sure there is a pair of step up transformers lurking under the hood. I can tell you about a great sounding tube linestage that is in your price range if you buy it used. That would be the Cary SLP-98. I have had one in my system before and I wouldn't mind hearing it again. It has that big, bold, tube sound that is very three-dimensional. It even has an optional remote for the basic functions that helps out when you are in the couch potato mood. It also has an outboard power supply and the linestage is very quiet. There is an optional phono stage, but some people have stated it's best to stay away from it.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

One of my friends has a Cary preamp, could even be that unit. I will have to ask him. I need a phono stage more than anything though, so adding one to a Cary would put that out of reach most likely. Anyway, I've just begun, so I wanted to get some opinions and ideas. I know I'll find something.

 

[RogerD]

John,

You might search DIYAudio,Audio Karma,and Audio asylum for ideas,as they focus on lower priced electronics. If I were buying a phono preamp I would probably find someone who builds them and I would voice the unit myself...by the parts and have the builder do the install. Here's one option but there are many. Good luck

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/pre12

http://www.kandkaudio.com/phonostage.html

http://www.ankaudiokits.com/#

http://www.ankaudiokits.com/M3PhonoStage.html

For Audionote Canada

Canada
Tobias Beal
Website: www.audiobuilder.ca
Telephone: 613-454-5800
E-Mail: tobias@audiobuilder.ca
Tobias is our authorized build, repair and upgrade center for Canadian customers. He works behind the scenes at AudioNoteKits and has a lot of experience with all technical aspects of the product line. Feel free to contact Tobias for Kit related services/advise if you are based in Canada!

John, I like the Audio Note kit....the Takiman resistors are great...I prefer the metal film REY's,but I think the kit comes with carbon film REX's. The AN copper caps are good and also the silver. I would put a couple of Vishay TX2575's{Parts Connexion has them}in the first stage and call it good. Maybe Tobias can build you one or can recommend someone.

p.s. you don't need to spend a ton of money to hear top notch audio.

Always look under the hood when buying any new gear, quality parts is important.

 

[rugyboogie]

Hi John
Space Tech Labs is well known designer and builder of tube-hybrid audio gear here in Vancouver, BC.
He has an established brick and morter store for many years and is a stand up guy, builds everything himself.
Has quite the following here locally especially amongst the Asian community.
Hope this helps and let me know if I can be of assistance as his store is less that 15 minutes away.
Take care,
Mike

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Roger - Thank you very much for that. I have certainly heard of the AudioNote kits and will peruse the links you provided and keep the contact info handy. I'd have to have Tobias built it for me, so once I come closer to a decision I will email him to see what we can arrange. My only concern is that the phonostage is MM only, and I'd like both it and MC, in case I upgrade cartridges. However, quality takes precedence. BTW...Parts Connexion is 15 minutes from my house.....gotta love the convenience of that. I've dealt with them before and they're a good group of people.

Mike - Thank you as well for the confirmation of what I thought of him as well, after reading reading some of the comments on CAM. I'm definitely going to investigate his line a little further. I will need to feel really positive about it though, because a 20% restocking fee, plus shipping back and an extra $25 for using Electronic Bank Transfer seems a bit high.

 

[cjfrbw]

I have perused the Space Tech stuff over the years, especially their tube rectification units that allow many different tube types, but have never actually heard them. They seem to be in the spirit of high quality, antiquarian boutique.

I think he main issue would be buying new and the resale. Without a marquis label, the depreciation might be excessive.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I have perused the Space Tech stuff over the years, especially their tube rectification units that allow many different tube types, but have never actually heard them. They seem to be in the spirit of high quality, antiquarian boutique.

I think he main issue would be buying new and the resale. Without a marquis label, the depreciation might be excessive.

That is a bit of a concern, but not much as I don't change gear often. If I were spending $3K+ that would be something to seriously keep in mind and a boutique manufacturer would likely not even be considered.

 

[RogerD]

Roger - Thank you very much for that. I have certainly heard of the AudioNote kits and will peruse the links you provided and keep the contact info handy. I'd have to have Tobias built it for me, so once I come closer to a decision I will email him to see what we can arrange. My only concern is that the phonostage is MM only, and I'd like both it and MC, in case I upgrade cartridges. However, quality takes precedence. BTW...Parts Connexion is 15 minutes from my house.....gotta love the convenience of that. I've dealt with them before and they're a good group of people.

Mike - Thank you as well for the confirmation of what I thought of him as well, after reading reading some of the comments on CAM. I'm definitely going to investigate his line a little further. I will need to feel really positive about it though, because a 20% restocking fee, plus shipping back and an extra $25 for using Electronic Bank Transfer seems a bit high.

John I'll probably buy a L3 soon, They look real nice and I can tweak it....maybe add teflon coupling caps,with those TX2575 and Takimans I don't think I will find better.

Lucky you! I spend a small fortune with PC.....great people. I would probably hang out there a lot. Take advantage of that....they can probably build that kit for you and tweak it too. They are a Audio Note dealer....Wow!

 

[Peter Breuninger]

Here you go...

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thanks Peter! The LKV 2-SB would make a wonderful addition no doubt, but I really want to introduce tubes into my system. I'm not ruling it out completely though, especially if I could get a second-hand unit for a great price.

 

[RogerD]

Tubes!!

 

[andromedaaudio]

Call me a '' to down to earth guy or whatever ''
But i would be a bit carefull with a newaudio company which calls it self , Space tech?
If i were you i would save up a little more and go for a second hand Convergent pre , very good value in my opinion.

the phono stage is to noisy however

 

[jazdoc]

A few thoughts from someone who has been very happy with custom manufactured audio equipment....

There are precious few high end audio manufacturers with 50+ employees. I would wager that the vast majority have less than 5 FTE's. When you are buying a 'custom' piece, you are buying the person who designs and builds it. My advice is to get to know and feel comfortable with the person behind the gear.

IMO, it is self defeating to pursue a large (audio) purchase while simultaneously worrying about how much you can get out of the piece when you sell. Effort is better spent finding the best equipment comfortably within your budget in anticipation of many years of listening pleasure. To paraphrase Warren Buffett's investment advice:

"I could improve your ultimate audio welfare by giving you a ticket with only ten slots in it so that you had ten punches - representing all the audio purchases that you got to make in a lifetime. And once you'd punched through the card, you couldn't make any more audio purchases at all. Under those rules, you'd really think carefully about what you did, and you'd be forced to load up on what you'd really thought about. So you'd do so much better."

 

[FrantzM]

A few thoughts from someone who has been very happy with custom manufactured audio equipment....

There are precious few high end audio manufacturers with 50+ employees. I would wager that the vast majority have less than 5 FTE's. When you are buying a 'custom' piece, you are buying the person who designs and builds it. My advice is to get to know and feel comfortable with the person behind the gear.

IMO, it is self defeating to pursue a large (audio) purchase while simultaneously worrying about how much you can get out of the piece when you sell. Effort is better spent finding the best equipment comfortably within your budget in anticipation of many years of listening pleasure. To paraphrase Warren Buffett's investment advice:

"I could improve your ultimate audio welfare by giving you a ticket with only ten slots in it so that you had ten punches - representing all the audio purchases that you got to make in a lifetime. And once you'd punched through the card, you couldn't make any more audio purchases at all. Under those rules, you'd really think carefully about what you did, and you'd be forced to load up on what you'd really thought about. So you'd do so much better."

Excellent post

I often wonder if there would have been a Wilson Audio to ARC or any of those now famous Audio brands if resale value was such a priority. They had to start somewhere . The product should be taken for what it does, which is to reproduce music. If it acquit itself of the task and better than the competition, to one's ears, vote with that. Of course reliability and support are to be part of the criterion set.

These small companies should be encouraged so as to push the envelope and shake the status quo. The sad thing is that such companies seems to have automatic validity if the product is priced in the stratosphere. Modestly priced gear seem to be incapable of higher performance ...

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Tubes!!

That's what I want. I think tubes would compliment my gear in a very positive manner. I've heard great tube gear and I've lusted after owning some for a long time. Now is that time!

Call me a '' to down to earth guy or whatever ''
But i would be a bit carefull with a newaudio company which calls it self , Space tech?
If i were you i would save up a little more and go for a second hand Convergent pre , very good value in my opinion.

the phono stage is to noisy however

I'll be doing my research before I dive in for a purchase. Regarding the name....it's just that...a name.

A few thoughts from someone who has been very happy with custom manufactured audio equipment....

There are precious few high end audio manufacturers with 50+ employees. I would wager that the vast majority have less than 5 FTE's. When you are buying a 'custom' piece, you are buying the person who designs and builds it. My advice is to get to know and feel comfortable with the person behind the gear.

IMO, it is self defeating to pursue a large (audio) purchase while simultaneously worrying about how much you can get out of the piece when you sell. Effort is better spent finding the best equipment comfortably within your budget in anticipation of many years of listening pleasure. To paraphrase Warren Buffett's investment advice:

"I could improve your ultimate audio welfare by giving you a ticket with only ten slots in it so that you had ten punches - representing all the audio purchases that you got to make in a lifetime. And once you'd punched through the card, you couldn't make any more audio purchases at all. Under those rules, you'd really think carefully about what you did, and you'd be forced to load up on what you'd really thought about. So you'd do so much better."

I love that post Doc!

Excellent post

I often wonder if there would have been a Wilson Audio to ARC or any of those now famous Audio brands if resale value was such a priority. They had to start somewhere . The product should be taken for what it does, which is to reproduce music. If it acquit itself of the task and better than the competition, to one's ears, vote with that. Of course reliability and support are to be part of the criterion set.

These small companies should be encouraged so as to push the envelope and shake the status quo. The sad thing is that such companies seems to have automatic validity if the product is priced in the stratosphere. Modestly priced gear seem to be incapable of higher performance ...

Another great post and well thought out. There are many smaller than small shops in a lot of fields that do wonderful work, but go unnoticed and get pushed to the side because they don't have the name, and people are too brand-conscious. It's a very slow and long process for them to build an audience. I think that Space-Tech is one of those custom builders.

Then you have those guys who build stuff for the passion. Our own Tony is an example. I've heard his system and the one he put together for Ed. Nothing short of 100% excellence.

 

[FrantzM]

J'Vinyl

I think Tony is Tony Ki Ma who's Ed?

There are several companies producing gear of excellence.. Despite claims to the contrary, audiophiles are very brand and status conscious. I know of a few companies producing excellent gears at a down-to-earth prices. I can name a few: Salks Sound whose speakers have to be heard so good and good-looking they are, Seaton Sound , their line of subs and let's not forget of Active speakers are the real deal, Emerald Physics, l. There are others especially in the realm of electronics, Odyssey Audio, Wyred for Sound. I heard a few years ago an amp made by a gentleman by the name of Henry Oh, driving an Apogee Diva to glorious sound, I think the late Muralman had his amps...

 

[RogerD]

I talked to Parts Connexion and they can supply these kits with parts to specification....I think that is great,as you can voice the unit the way you want. I will definitely try this.They also offer a MC kit for the L3.

http://www.ankaudiokits.com/stepup01.html

 

[mep]

Call me a '' to down to earth guy or whatever ''
But i would be a bit carefull with a newaudio company which calls it self , Space tech?
If i were you i would save up a little more and go for a second hand Convergent pre , very good value in my opinion.

the phono stage is to noisy however

Shh. Don't tell DaveyF that. It could only be because you are using a LOMC with insufficient gain or you didn't "roll in" some really cool NOS tubes.

 

[microstrip]

A few thoughts from someone who has been very happy with custom manufactured audio equipment....

There are precious few high end audio manufacturers with 50+ employees. I would wager that the vast majority have less than 5 FTE's. When you are buying a 'custom' piece, you are buying the person who designs and builds it. My advice is to get to know and feel comfortable with the person behind the gear.

IMO, it is self defeating to pursue a large (audio) purchase while simultaneously worrying about how much you can get out of the piece when you sell. Effort is better spent finding the best equipment comfortably within your budget in anticipation of many years of listening pleasure. To paraphrase Warren Buffett's investment advice:

"I could improve your ultimate audio welfare by giving you a ticket with only ten slots in it so that you had ten punches - representing all the audio purchases that you got to make in a lifetime. And once you'd punched through the card, you couldn't make any more audio purchases at all. Under those rules, you'd really think carefully about what you did, and you'd be forced to load up on what you'd really thought about. So you'd do so much better."

High-end audio is essentially an hobby, and getting good value for money is also part of it. Considering it is permanently going through technological evolution, with large improvements in sound quality, I think that there is nothing wrong about giving a good priority to the resale value - changes will happen sometime in the future and you will be happy you thought about it.

And yes, I also consider that having a good relation with manufacturers, distributors and retailers and trusting them is a must. But I would not pick anything expensive or large from very small manufacturers unless were my neighbors.

Ten punches for an audio lifetime? No thanks!