Line Magnetic VV-3 Preamp ~ 300B Western Electric Design

For sale is a VERY RARE and beautiful Line Magnetic VV-3 300B valve preamplifier which employs exotic circuitry from the Golden era of hi-fi. Its circuit design uses specially made power and output transformers that have been wound to a recipe to replicate the quality of sound reproduction of the famous Western Electric company in the USA. Word is that only a limited quantity of the VV-3 preamps were ever made, before economic factors and Covid spoiled the parts supply chain and sadly the VV-3 can no longer be made. The volume control is a cost no object Transformer TVC type with This VV-3 preamp is in excellent condition and works as it should, it runs quietly with no hum or any untoward noises. It has never chewed any valves or needed any repair. It was originally sold by McCleans Audio in Gosford NSW and is an Australian delivered unit that runs on 240v power, it is likely to be the only one in Australia? The original price of the VV-3 is RRP $7,000 AUD.

Soundwise, this is likely to be one of the nicest sounding active preamplifiers you are ever likely to hear. The VV-3 has top-notch clarity and is accurate, with a projected midrange and tonal palette in the best valve tradition. The fact that it is considered to be one of the coolest looking valve creations in the world and is rare as hens teeth - is an added bonus.

An audition in my home is welcome for local buyers and I have the original factory box for safe shipping. I have tube rolled the unit with nice  valves as shown including the TJ 300B meshplate valve which cost $400ea. Price is negotiable overall eg, if you want a generic 300B valve with the unit.

Specifications:

The first commercial vacuum tube preamplifier using transformer volume control (TVC).

Uses Western Electric WE20A power supply.

Uses the secret output transformers of Lici Audio.

The whole machine uses the Western Electric full series of iron cores developed by Lici Audio specially as audio transformers and, is made from British enamelled wire.

Preamp connections are Cardas USA RCAs and Neutrik XLRs.

Technical Parameters:

- input impedance 100kOhm

- output impedance 600 Ohm maximum 8v

- sensitivity: input 330mV output 2v

- gain 15.6 dB

- signal to noise ratio is greater than 90 db

- frequency response 10 Hz - 30 kHz @ /- 1dB

- total harmonic distortion 0.3%

- 3 input terminals inc 2 x Cardas RCA 1 x Neutrik XLR

- 2 output terminals inc 1 x Cardas RCA 1 x Neutrik XLR

- Vacuum Tubes Used: output tube 4 x 12AU7, elaborate WE inspired power supply uses 1 x 300B, 1 x VR75/OA3,

1 x 12AT7, 1 x EF86 regulators in series and 1 x 5AR4 for tube rectification. 

- weight 14.4 kg

Edited 3 minutes ago by Steve M