QHW The Vinyl
 

Anyone using the QHW The Vinyl phono-preamp? If so, what do you think?
Gets great reviews from Michael Fremer and others. Am phono-preamp shopping as my new Pass Labs INT-25 is very basic with no phono or DAC options available (the way I prefer them).

Interesting review- also consider the iPhono 3.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-iphono3-bl/

I owned an earlier version and was very happy with its performance (used a Koetsu Black & an Argoi), only sold as I purchased a McIntosh C2300, and the Mcs MC Phono stage was superior IMHO.

Interesting Glenn. I like the idea that you can use 2 'tables at the same time. That's one of the things I really like about McIntosh's phono preamps.

Yes, I've looked closely at the iFi Phono3, Phenomena II+, Ray Samuels XR-2 and Lehmann Black Cube SE, among others. The Phono3 has inputs for both MM & MC, which I like, having two TTs, but, don't believe they are switched or separate circuits, so only one can be connected at a time. The other three only have single inputs.

Sooooooo, I've ordered the QHW. Total cost is just short of $750, delivered. Should have before long so can get fully broken-in before my INT-25 arrives. In addition, I did ask Michael Fremer and his opinion was the QHW was a 'no brainer'. Mikie likes it. :yes:

I'll report back once it arrives.

This good to hear Glenn. Please keep us posted as your evaluation proceeds.

Edit: I read Mikey's Stereophile mini review he did (September '21 issue) just so The Vinyl could be included in recommended components. He was effusive in his praise for this very affordable, but quite flexible phono preamp. Good call on this one Glenn.

Edit 2: What are you going to do for a DAC? Any ideas?

DHL let me know that the QHW arrives on Monday, the 27th.

Fred - I've never owned a DAC (other than the ones inside my CDPs) or done any streaming. I'm 90%+ analog (vinyl & FM radio). My Oppo mostly just sits there wanting to be played. I bought an Intel NUC with a 1TB SSD and have never done more than take it out of the box and put it back. I did rip all my CDs (~900) to FLAC files the winter of '19/20. And, some year, when life becomes so boring that I want to kill myself, I might try all that "digital stuff". But, as long as there are good FM stations, good cartridges and good books left to read............... :dunno:

Seriously, I really should read the manual for the Oppo. I think it could do about anything one would need to get started in digital with the NUC & Samsung tablet & Roon. Craig (crwilli) has been very generous with his time & info on getting started. And, I've been telling myself for 2yr+......... some day. But for now I'm spoiled with what I've got. Especially as the QHW allows me to connect both of my TTs at the same time, essentially giving me 4 inputs on the INT-25 rather than 3.

^^ I completely get your point of view on this. For my part I mostly listen to vinyl and my 2 tape decks. A few years ago when I first got the MA8000 I thought it would be a good idea to utilize its onboard DAC which was billed as being quite good. To that end I had a custom HP all in one touch PC built to my specs. It has a 2TB internal drive and I added a 4 TB external one. All run through JRiver MC20 and subsequently MC28.

One of the assistants at my office (a younger guy who received a cease and desist letter from the FBI when Napster was all the rage) would bring me a flash drive loaded with music files. Over the course of a couple of months I added thousands of files from across the music spectrum.

Sometimes on Sunday morning I'll turn the PC on and listen to some classical music or the YoYo Ma Cello Suites as basically background music. It's just something about the digital side of my system that feels like a part is missing. It's not not quite as engaging and doesn't draw me in to want to listen more the way the analog side of the system does.

I never quite understood what was so alluring to take an analog waveform then convert it to digital bits and bites and then convert it back to an analog waveform so I could listen to it through my speakes. Why not just leave it alone in the first place. :dunno:

Keep us updated on The Vinyl once you have it up and running. :thumbsup:

Preamp made it to Philadelphia, but still won't get here (50mi distant) until Monday the 27th. Guess that last 50mi is the most difficult.

Is today the day? Hopefully you won't get delayed again the way FedEx is famous for these days. :no:

No delay. DHL has always stated today and it arrive an hour ago. I've unpacked and will let it temp-equilibrate over night and start listening tomorrow a.m.

No problem. DHL was true to their deliver time (something UPS & Fedex could learn from). All electronic notices stated I had to sign for, but they dropped it off without ringing the bell.
Arrived in good physical condition. Giving it 24hr to 'warm up' (from the outside temp) before plugging in.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1640643706

Rolled in the QHW this afternoon and it started out very smooth and detailed. With only a few hours on it there is nothing Michael Fremer said about it that I can disagree with. I'm going to spend some effort (make that $$ & time) in aligning all angles & heights of my cartridges/TA over the next several weeks so will hear just what the QHW has to offer. My TA has Nordost Valhalla wiring, WW Pt DIN IC to the QHW and WW Gold from there.

The one thing I've discovered that I do not care for is the very bright blue LED light on the front face. Will be contacting QHW to see what can be done about same.

Did you ever get the blue light issue resolved? I had the same problem with all of my Jolida gear. I was able to find small grey colored felt pads that I halved with a razor blade and stuck over the offending light. It works really well, lets just a bit of light shine through, but not enough to be bothersome. That solution may not be for you. Just a suggestion.

Ya’ll make sure to blame Krell - they startled this blue light nonsense. :)

In a dimly lit room or at night it is incredibly obnoxious. It makes me just want to turn everything off and forget about it.

I’ve used these on more than one component over the years, they work really well to dim overly bright LEDs, are inconspicuous, and easy to remove.
https://www.amazon.com/LightDims-Ori.../dp/B009WSJNCW

I've seen those as well. Excellent! :thumbsup:

What's your thoughts on the pre?

Pre sounds great. First resistor was too small at 2.2K. No noticeable change. Next one is 20K, but won't get to it for a couple of weeks. The QHW's case was built to withstand small arms fire. Lots of screws and very thick steel case. Don't want to have to remove more often then absolutely necessary as it is a pita.

OK........ got the 20K resistor in line with the LED and, while much less intrusive, still too bright for my tastes. At least its not glaringly so, as before. Now livable. May spring for one of the 'covers' mentioned above. You can see it washes out in the cell phone pic (below the TT on the right).

As for sound. Michael Fremer's call on the QHW is spot on for me. Quiet background and great dynamics. It is especially good with the Ortofon OM40 MM cartridge. Very pleased as I had pretty much stopped listening to MMs for the past several years.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1643486693

That does seem to have dimmed it rather well. The other lights are more noticeable now.