Transaudio JC2 MAX preamplifier tested - very clean Mark Levinson JC2 implementation! 

@@michaelwright1602 yes I am amazed how entry point to real hifi got lowered and this is pure joy - I hope this will help our hobby to be more popular. And it's a great opportunity for young people to get something really good: when your ears are still good but your budget is limited

@@randynielsen9894 that was like 6 or 7 years ago when I had a phase for replacing every fuse. I had some European brands (I have to dig in one of my boxes to confirm brands) and some Chinese ones. I've finally settled with some Gustard and Aucharm ones - best price to value. And finally I've had them only in my sources because that's where I could hear the effect. Not so much down the chain, so now I replace fuse only in my DACs.

@@johnriggs4070 Thanks but that wasn't me with the Nobsound :) Passive means this is just large volume pot that should be (in theory) of good quality and it basically attenuates input signal. Like a voltage divider. This one is active, it will give you better sound quality. But if you own D5PRO then wait with the decision till you see C245 review as this one was meant to be paired with Musical Fidelity A1 clone.

@@quma001 well just wait for a few days, okay ? ;) This is first review of the new video pack ;)

Same comment above. How is this usable? Different tracks need volume attenuation. Im constantly on volume button. Like car with no throttle.

@@TD05SSLegacy it's a very simple build focusing on sound quality within the budget. The other two that I've reviewed come with the remotes, but they are like 2 times more expensive :)

HI Rob! I think I may have something just for you then, but please wait just for a few days more. This one has excellent build and SQ, but yes I have two more preamp reviews ready and coming this way :) (Btw why Greg?)

@@k4syx Oh I thought your name was Greg - I saw a video where you introduced yourself and that's what I understood - please correct me! I don't want to call you by your amateur radio callsign - a first name is _much_ nicer - that's why I use mine. I am really curious about what you have coming up on the channel! Even though my Exposure XI/XII is VERY musical, it is 38 years old and I think some progress has been made since the 1980's. And so far, I trust your judgement and experience! (I am VERY happy with the Transaudio D5 Pro I bought because of your and Frank's (of Frank's Werkstatt) tests and reviews.) All the best, Rob in Switzerland

@@Jason787 this one is 100prc 220V as there is no magic smoke around ;) I should have probably mention this but it - along with the rest of "the pyramid" was on 24/7 for like past three weeks.

Musical Fidelity A1 clone has two separate pots for two mono channels. These are not Alps and they are completely separate so it's hard to set volume correctly without affecting balance. Also, they are just in series with RCA inputs. But all in all this MF clone is just a steal with that SQ and 220-250usd price, highly recommended!

@@Koru-Health you'll be fine, however wait for my next pre review (Accuphase clone looms just around the corner). With bigger budget - as DartZeel clone is more expensive than MF - you can get something with better functionality and remote

@@k4syx I hope the Accuphase clone that you are testing has more RCA inputs and at least 1 set of XLR input and outputs and a fully balanced design. I am also hoping that you will review a cloned power amp that has at least 1 set of XLR input. The cloned DartZeel that you reviewed earlier has no XLR input. My DAC's best performance is from it's XLR output therefore I am really hoping to go along this line. Anyway, thank you for all the money, energy & efforts that you are putting here for audiophiles sake. I wish you all the best and success in your goals. 👍👍👍

@@johan5660 it has 2xRCA and 2xXLR inputs and 1xXLR + 1xRCA outputs, and I have E405 clone with XLR inputs coming my way.

​@@k4syxthats good to hear❤

@@rontoolsie Hi! The link to R core version is in the video description. You're totally right about overspeccing trafos same way you're right about budget :) I totally forgot to measure power consumption on this one, I'll add that to the video desc as soon as I can (And the beauty of these diy like preamps is that you can always do all upgrades you want as there's a lot of space inside left)

Yes it is, it's very clean and precise. You can paint it black or do a vinyl wrap (done correctly it will look great). But yes, a black option without need for diy painting would be cool. (What's up with the Greg? I'm not Greg? XD)

I get these for me or my family so I just use them till I'll find something better. I have 6 full different setups in my home (I know, crazy cat/amp herding lady/dude). It's like with my headphones - I just got Arya Stealth V3, so I will compare it with Ananda Nano and if it better then Nano gets sold. If I'd have started recording my vids like 5-8 years ago... I had tons of audio equipment that I bought and sold. Hobby :)

@@TD05SSLegacy no, not for this price range unfortunately..

@@k4syx Sooo…turn all the way up and control volume with remote on dac? Maybe second mod to disconnect volume on preamp. Sorry this is very disappointing. A preamp is the ‘control room’ of the system. This isnt a desktop device. So duh, 🙄 why no remote? Perhaps the builder-retailers listening to this will read my disappointment and cobble together something a bit more useful?

I would love to see you review the clone of the C-J PV-12 as a match for the MF clone.

@@andrewstaub2132 there's a lot of them (different implementations) on Ali, including balanced one - you're thinking about any particular one?

@@k4syx Well I would suggest the Transaudio version, as they have shown they can build quality product with the JC2 Max.