Innovative passive & active preamp technology
The original title to this article was going to be “The balanced audio “pin 1 problem” visits Tortuga Audio and how we hummed along with it – and then stopped.” Too much? I thought so too. There’s a particular recurring problem in audio design that’s such a perennial PITA that it even has its own website: pin1problem.com That, I would argue, is some accomplishment. You would think that a …
Although we never set out to deliberately cause confusion we have nonetheless succeeded. What confusion you ask? The confusion that arises when prospective customers diligently comb through our website trying to understand the differences between two of our LDR preamps; the LDRx ($1795) and the LDR3.V2 ($1195). The essential confusion can be summed up by this typical prospective customer query: “It appears the differences between these two preamps …
1 – Better Conductor of Music Preamps are, first and foremost, devices for controlling volume. 99%+ of all preamps do this by throttling the audio signal through some type of mechanical device made with resistive materials. Devices like a potentiometer (worst) or stepped attenuator (better). The unfortunate reality is the materials in these devices, together with their mechanical interface points, alter the audio signal in ways that are not …
(Updated: June 2017) Build your own audiophile DIY passive preamp using our complete kits or just a few key components and your own custom enclosure.
While chatting recently with a customer (which I love doing BTW) he mentioned that he would be attending Axpona in Chicago and asked if Tortuga Audio would also be at the show. I told him that, unfortunately, circumstances prevented Tortuga Audio from being at Axpona this year. He suggested that in that case he might take his single input Tortuga LDR1.V2B balanced passive preamp along with him to Axpona. …
The Perfect Preamplifier – No Preamp At All If you read enough articles on high performance audio you eventually encounter the definition of a perfect preamp: no preamp at all. Just a short wire between the source and the amplifier. Purity of audio signal unsullied by intervening gear. The problem with no preamp (or a perfect “wire preamp”) is most music sources put out a high enough voltage signal …
What Is Volume Control? Whether you own $10k+ of high end gear or a humble $200 receiver from Best Buy, chances are about 100% that every note of recorded music played through your system is funneled through a volume control device (a.k.a. an attenuator) before it reaches your ears. In the analog signal world volume control means throttling back the voltage level of the audio signal prior to reaching …
Single Input Balanced Passive Preamp March 15, 2015 – Tortuga Audio is pleased to release the LDR1B.V2 Balanced Passive Preamp. The LDR1B.V2 is the latest model in our LDR (light dependent resistor) based passive preamp product line and is our second model offering attenuation for balanced audio. Unlike its more expensive big brother, the LDRxB, the LDR1B.V2 has only a single XLR input with dual (parallel) XLR outputs. It uses the …
Adjustable Impedance March 1, 2015 – Tortuga Audio has released a major firmware update that adds adjustable impedance it its LDR Passive Preamp product line. Adjustable impedance allows the user to change the input impedance of their LDR passive preamp. This firmware update also includes an upgraded auto-calibration algorithm resulting in improved sound stage and stereo imaging. The Adjustable Impedance feature allows the user to set up 5 different …
Summary As 2014 rolls to a close, we are pleased to announce the following expanded product offerings including the LDR3.V2 Passive Preamp plus year end specials and price changes. New V2.1 Version of our DIY LDR3x Passive Preamp Controller board is available for for pre-order @ $199 through Jan 5th ($259 thereafter). Reintroducing the LDR3 in both a DIY kit version and also as a finished preamp with upgraded features. …
New Products, Pricing & Holiday Year End Specials Read More »