PR-102 Preamp amongst the exotica
Many of you have asked how the PR102 compares to very expensive preamps. Don, a longtime audiophile, was kind enough to share his impressions about the PR-102 in its currently shipping form, based on units shipping since September 2021. He mentions a number of famous pieces of equipment in his review.
I felt I just have to make a review of my Akitika 102 preamplifier purchased and put into operation October 1, 2021. It has been and continues to be an absolute delight in my audio system. In addition to providing outstanding sound delivery, it is very user friendly and is bringing sound that I have honestly never realized before.
My system involves Avant Garde Duo speakers (107db sensitivity) and use of DIY Mogami and/or DH Labs cables throughout. So, the signal delivered to the room is very efficient, and absolutely all or any flaws will be heard. I have multiple amplifiers that I switch over a 12-month period (Quicksilver Mid- Mono's with JJ EL34's @ 40wpc, Dynaco/Dynakit MK-IV's with JJ KT77's or Hafler DH-200 with John Hillig PA-7 Elite/Ultra Modification). The Quicksilver Mid-Mono's are operated May-July, MK-IV's August-October, and DH-200 November-April. Thus, all of my listening has been with the MK-IV's and DH-200 so far.
My point of comparison for the 102 preamp is versus my other current preamp Quicksilver Linestage (12AX7 tubes) and previously Pass XP-20.
The first thing you will notice with the 102 is that is "dead quiet". I mean literally dead quiet with absolutely ZERO noise. Yes, this is with the extremely sensitive Avant Garde Duo's! Unbelievable one would rationalize, but it is true .. and this is independent of amplifier choices. The second thing you realize is that the smooth Alps pot/volume control is smooth with gain at about 8:30 for easy listening in my space (room about 25' x 30' x 11' ceiling); and, 9:00 will knock your socks off! And, the third thing you quickly realize is that no adjustment for "balance" is required as the sound delivered is spot on per channel.
I have had many pre-amplifiers over my 50+ years of audio investment and DIY tinkering. And, yes I have been down the expensive road with $8,000 Pass. I have owned Hafler DH-101 (kit), Precision Fidelity C7, Adcom 750 , Pass XP-1 and others. I had never heard of Akitika until I got so frustrated with my Pass XP-20 Linestage (and after selling my Pass XA-30.8 amp); I contacted Kevin Devaney of Dynakit to get some advice on his available parts for upgrading/re-building a used vintage Dynaco PAS-4 pre-amp that I was contemplating purchasing .. Kevin responded with "forget about the PAS-4 and contact Dan Joffe at updatemydynaco.com for information on his Akitika PR-102 preamp kit". Until this time, I had never heard of either "update my dynamo" or "Akitika". So, I contacted Dan and my journey started. After discussing his product(s) in detail with him, I put my Pass XP-20 for sale and it sold very fast, only losing about $1500 in the transaction for the 2+ years I owned it.
I have been totally surprised with the 102, in that it performs much better than ANY preamplifier that I have ever owned, including my still owned Quicksilver LInestage. It even does a superlative job to quiet sound delivery and gain control to the Pass XP-20. And, the MM Phono section kit of the 102 provides equal or better sound-stage and sonic delivery to my Canary Dual Chassis MM/MC Tube Phone Preamplifier! Moreover, the Headphone amp kit in the 102 competes nicely with my Quicksilver Tube Amplifier, especially with either Grado SR-325iS or Koss Pro-4AA's.
But, the real learning in my journey with the 102 has been my absolute happiness with the customer service of Akitika and Dan Joffe. I had some deep concerns with the Headphone amp initially because my AKG-701 phones required about 12:30 gain on the 102 to get a good sound-stage. Dan actually "Zoomed" with me on a Sunday afternoon to walk through a possible 12db gain change in the circuit; but, after his in-depth technical help with my headphone sensitivity(s), it was clear that I could use either my Grado SR-325iS, Koss Pro-4AA or HiFi Man RE-Zero earbuds with between 9:30 to 11:00 gain for great sound without further circuit changes. Thus, the AKG 701's are simply so much harder to drive without a bigger amp like my Quicksilver, or simply driving the 102 gain to 1:00. I stuck with the standard 102 Headphone amp circuit and am quite happy.
I also had a problem with the final assembly of the 102 Phono amplifier kit and got immediate phone and email assistance from Dan. It turned out that I had not properly soldered the ground connection for the right channel on the power supply, and he gave immediate assistance with all my diagnosis. Outstanding service and help!
My reference listening has been with Dynalab Etude FM Tuner, Pioneer 6500TX AM/FM Tuner, Wadia 170 Transport with Apple iPod and Spitfire DAC, and Enlightened Audio Design CD Transport / DAC. Some of my revered reference media is One Eskimo (One Eskimo) CD, Too Long In Exile LP (Van Morrison) and Whipped Cream LP (Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass).
The bottom line, is the Akitika PR-102 Preamplifier is the BEST preamplifier I have ever owned. It out performs ALL others, including my previous Pass XP-20, hands-down. At $505 for the kit with remote, or $705 fully assembled with remote is possibly the best kept secret in the audio industry! Combine this price with the unparalleled service and support of Dan Joffe, this is a real bargain that simply cannot be ignored. I am now so impressed with my experience, that I plan to purchase the GT-102 Amplifier Kit in the future ... and possibly retire/sell my DH-200!
Thank you Dan for all your indulgence, help and patience. I am a customer for life.
Don R.
Please accept this short amendment to my recent review of the 102. Late yesterday I listened to another CD that I have found to be an outstanding recording; "The Moon And Stars" by Valerie June. Again, I was bowled over with the sound-stage the 102 in combination with my Enlightened Audio CD Transport/DAC delivered. Track #7 (Call Me A Fool) sounded like I was sitting center stage in a live performance! The 102 provided absolute clarity and the noise floor was non-existent. I then got to thinking it would be really neat to try listening to a CD with a matching LP.
I have a 180g LP purchased used from a European studio many years ago. "A Quite Eye" by June Tabor; and, I have a matching CD of the same. So, I cleaned the LP, installed on my vintage Lenco belt drive table with 9.5" Origin Live arm and Ortofon 2m Blue MM cartridge. I then carefully synched the CD and LP tracking, which took a little trial and error but was finally accomplished. After switching back-and-forth on the 102 between the Phono and CD, I became mesmerized with the unbelievable closeness with the two media on the same track. So I synched track #9 "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". OMG, both the CD and LP sounded wide-open with total clarity and zero noise; BUT, the LP had detail through the 102 phono stage that was startling .... I could actually hear June Tabor licking her lips and taking small breadths! WOW, what more detail is possible?
My wife seldom sets with me while listening to music, but she came into the room and asked what was different with my system? She too could not believe the sound stage and depth of all voice frequencies. We liked it so much that we started over and listened to all 10 tracks while continuing to switch between the LP and CD. Her final comment was "I should sell my CD player"!
I am 74 years old, have been involved in audio since college, and probably have spent much more money on such than my combined automobile purchases over the years. And now, looking back I find that the chase to always find something better in audio has taught me a huge and sadly experienced lesson .. "higher price absolutely does not equate to better music"! The PR-102 preamp is the best example of this conclusion. One could not get better sound control and delivery on a preamp at any price than that of the Akitika PR-102.
In short, if an audiophile really has more brains than money, then the 102 is the ONLY choice.
Don R.