New First Sound preamp in-bound...
 

Just an update for the gang...

Just got word from Emmanuel Go that my First Sound preamp will ship out next week.

The model is the First Sound Presence Deluxe MkIII-SI, a 2 chassis unit w/ the Paramount Special Edition upgrade using Audio Cap copper capacitors.

The First Sound preamps are essentially "bespoke" preamps, each one crafted and tuned specifically for the owner's system and system components. The design is a true dual-mono design, essentially two preamps in one main control chassis "box" with the PS transformer and PS capacitors housed in an external chassis to maximize performance while minimizing the impact of noise and vibration on the main circuit. Additionally, there are two chassis in in the main control unit, with an inner chassis comprised of copper-plated steel to function as a Faraday cage to further reduce the impact of external noise.

Special care is also provided to provide vibration-damping and even the fasteners were selected based on comprehensive, long-term, listening tests.

Notable are hand-assembled volume controls, utilizing individual exceptionally high-quality metal film resistors at each gain position and a massive power supply, exceeding the power supply capacitance and "stiffness" of many high-end power amplifiers.

Emmanuel is presently "crafting" it to match perfectly with the other components in my specific system. :thumbsup:

I'll post photos of it when it arrives.

Just read up on this. Seems like it will be a great addition to the system.

The only website I see seems rather confusing and shows 2017 Product info. Any links Stephen?

Congratulations Stephen in advance of its arrival! First Sound preamps are hard to find i user systems as they are nowhere near as widely known as they deserve to be. Truly one of the best preamps in the world! True SOTA...

Hey Jim,
No, that's the only website; its a bit out-dated, for sure.

Thanks, Mark, cheers.

So, here's some more info on the First Sound preamp I'm getting:

Basic Model: Presence Deluxe Mk III

Dual Mono Construction using Copper Plated Steel Chassis
• Step Attenuators, Ladder Type using individual resistors (see below), designated as LTH 92
• SPS 2.0 External Power Supply w/ detachable umbilical cord

The First Sound that is on loan from a friend...standard silver face plate and knobs.
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...Daylight_2.jpg

Interior of chassis (photo from a review)
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...e/Interior.jpg

MkIII-S upgrade
• MPDA (multi-phase differential array) developed by Shunyata Research. A sophisticated and innovative proprietary power line noise reduction filter array. Uses advanced 30 element surface mount components that significantly reduce power line noise.
• PSDS (power supply delivery system) An advanced system utilized for the power supplies..
• Upgraded main circuit boards
• Upgraded power supply circuits boards
• Additional 500 extra steps in the craftsmanship of this upgrade
MKIII-SI Upgrade
• As above with the addition of proprietary component filters that isolate electrical noise.
Paramount Special Edition upgrade
As the Presence Deluxe MKIII-SI with the addition of:
• LTV 92 Step Attenuators, Ladder Type attenuators using naked Vishay Resistors
• Upgraded (Stage 3) Capacitors using AudioCap copper capacitors
• Expanded power supply capacitors
• Special Edition grounding topology

Volume attenuator
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...ttenuators.jpg

Interior copper chassis
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...tsoundcage.jpg

My unit will be a black chassis with gold knobs, for an MBL-vibe.

Drool....

Congratulations Stephen, that looks like an exceptional preamp.

Thanks, Tony.

The one I have here on a very kind loan is quite amazing...

Hello Stephen,

I never thought that you would quit CJ preamps !
Nice one. Congrats !

Stephen, How hard is it to match the left and right volume controls?

A true tour de force!

They're stepped with matched value resistors, so you just match the positions assuming there's no imbalance.

Have fun with the new preamp, Stephen. We'll want to hear all about it.

So they ‘click’ into a position and thus you can tell they are in the same place? If not, the anal-compulsive part of me would be constantly fiddling with one or the other.

I find it fascinating to have two volume controls.

Yes.
Well, it's a dual-mono design, so it not only has two volume controls, it has two source input controls as well.

"Compromise" is a word that is anathema to Emmanuel Go...

Easy.

That is pretty cool! Can’t wait to read about your impressions and joy.

Congratulations! What a luscious looking preamp and great addition to your system.

So, my First Sound preamp arrrived yesterday, and I have installed and started burning it in. I just did the first "cap forming" discharge/re-charge step that Emmanuel recommends after about a day of playing continuously. Emmanuel recommends doing this 2-3X a day to help with the cap forming as part of the burn-in process.

This unit arrived as a First Sound Presence Deluxe 4.0 MkIII-SI version with 2 external power supplies, Shunyata Research umbilicals, and the "super special edition" upgrade, so Emmanuel really delivered with this beautiful product.

The power supply has 145,200 uF of capacitance/channel for a total of 290,400 uF of power supply capacitance.

Will post some pics in the next day or so when I have some real light in the room.

Just another 13 days or so of continual playing with 2-3 cap forming sessions/day to go! :p

I don't know anything about this brand, but congrats! I look forward to following your progress!

Hi Marc,
They are the product and passion of a single designer and builder, Emmanuel Go.They are very much like a bespoke product, custom tuned for each customer and their sytem and components. They have a number of (rave) reviews in audiophile publications, e.g. Positive Feedback, Soundstage, etc. (IIRC). In fact, I think all the reviews I've read, the reviewer bought the preamp.

Thought the gang would like to see some pics of the interior of the First Sound.

Top view without the covers; there are only two tubes, a 6DJ8 and OA tube per channel. The preamp is a true dual-mono design; two mono preamps mounted in a single chassis.

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...Top%20View.jpg

Just some, but not all of the power supply capacitance...and yes, that blue and brown wire is Shunyata Research OFE wire connecting everything. Emmanuel Go and Caelin collaborated on incorporating several Shunyata technologies into First Sound preamps. The 6DJ8 triodes can also be seen in this photo. These tubes are super-durable, with mean life over 100,000 hours.

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...terior%204.jpg

The back panel shows input jacks, wiring and huge copper bus bars for making and grounding connections. Note that there is no ground wire for each RCA jack, only a single + connection. There is also no insulation on the wires so as to not have any dielectric effect from various insulation materials; the dielectric in this case is air. The entire copper bus bar serves a ground for all inputs. There is also a switch (little red box) for each channel that lets me float the ground in the advent of any ground hum (there isn't; this preamp is DEAD QUIET).
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...ck%20Panel.jpg

A close-up of the volume attenuator with individual metal film resistors.
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...Attenuator.jpg

There are also large, heavy, copper bus bars for chassis-grounding.
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...Bus%20Bars.jpg

AudioCap copper capacitors.
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...terior%202.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...terior%203.jpg

A view of the front panel and part of the chassis interior...
https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...0Cover%201.jpg

Thanks for sharing the pics. The pics exude passion and workmanship in both design and finish work. Reminds me of my ASR Emitter ii. Enjoy it for many years to come!

Beautiful craftsmanship. I am sure you will love it Stephan!

Wow, what a simple, clean layout.

I get the feeling tube rolling would be. Just leave it be. Very nice and congrats.

Thanks, Craig. :thumbsup:

Thanks, Tony!

A pic inside one of the external power supplies for each channel...wowza.

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...20interior.jpg

Beautiful preamp Puma,...congratulations once again!!!

I second that notion!

So two separate input selectors.....why?

I was going to ask how much but this is definitely a "if you have to ask you can't afford it" piece.

Thanks, Mark.

There are two input selectors because this is true dual-mono design. If you physically cut the preamp in half, each half would still function perfectly.

Any chance of seeing pics of the unit in your system?

Hi Mark,
Not an optimal photo, but will do for now until I can get a clean shot of the pre n the rack (have to wait for the light to be just right..)

https://photos.imageevent.com/puma_c...20MkIII-Si.jpg

The black and gold is extremely sharp....

Very Happy for you!

Did you know that an Omega QR just happens to also come in Black and Gold ?

[emoji2]

Yep! :D

In this case, I'd need two of them though...:scratch2: