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AricAudio's new Jackpot 5751 tube-rectified truly balanced preamplifier

AricAudio has just come out with its brand new preamplifier design called the Jackpot. It only uses one 5751, you can roll any version of 12AU7s, 12aX7s, or 12AT7s, as the signal tube and one 12AU7 as a buffer tube. It is tube rectified and is truly balanced from input to output, and it sells for $5600. I put the Jackpot on the 2025 "Most Wanted Components" list for Stereo Times and bought the review demo. It is a phenomenal musical line-stage and a tube rollers delight. Because you do not have to have a matched pair of signal tubes, it uses both plates of one, and there is only one buffer tube you can experiment with many different combinations to get exactly what sonic signature you want to match your personal taste. I finally ended up with using a NOS Mazda 1950’s silver plate triple mica (signal tube) and a NOS Bugle Boy 1950’s long plate (buffer tube) to get exactly what I wanted in my system! Last year I reviewed two other great preamplifiers that were at least double the price, but the Jackpot was at least their equal and exceeded them in purity of tonality and spatial qualities. My full review will come out in the next couple of months. You can go to AricAudio’s website for more details. 

teajay
robshaw
345 posts
 

@larsman  It sounds as though you have a very nice set up. I like your Amp a lot.  I may look into the Jackpot model. Just curious as to your speakers? 

The jack pot as to his others offer as adjustable gain control. I have one on my LA-4 and it helps considerably.  Maybe you can answer this for me, My benchmark LA-4 offers a balanced output to my Amp (connection wise) It also offers a mono OUTPUT (balanced) or a single RCA OUTPUT (single out) for my Sub, which I can use at the same time, NICE.  Can I use both balanced and single ended outputs simultaneously, so I can run my sub through the single ended and the Amp /preamp through the balanced?   I know your unit is all single ended. just wondering? Thanks much!

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,125 posts
 

@robshaw - yeah, that MSB amp is one piece of gear I've had for over 10 years now without the slightest desire to ever 'upgrade' it. The sound sounds like whatever preamp is going into it, with a lot of muscle. I just wish I had more muscle to lift the thing... I have Marten Parker Duos... 

aricaudio's avatar
aricaudio
288 posts
 

@robshaw Yes, you can absolutely use both single ended and XLR outs at the same time on any of my balanced preamps. Best regards, Aric

robshaw
345 posts
 

@larsman  I am so impressed with your system. Was looking for a pair of bookshelf's and was considering the Martin Parker DUO and the smaller sibling. The DUO was my first choice, just couldn't get over the $$$$$  I ended up going crazy myself and bought a DEMO pair (one month old) Sonus Faber Guarneri G-5.  I listened to them in a Nashville store and was so impressed, HAD to have them. Got a pretty fair deal too. Absolutely LOVE them!! (will be paying for some time) Now looking at possibly a new line amp  for them. Very impressed with Aricaudio. Will  be researching further, may call them soon. Again, you have a great system. Enjoy

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,125 posts
 

@robshaw - Thank you, Rob - yes, I first auditioned the Oscar Duos against a pair of Dynaudio and YG Acoustics competitors, and was going to buy those, but then decided I'd audition the Oscar Duos compared to the Parker Duos, and that midrange sold me on those big boys (though they play more Graham Parker than Charlie Parker). I got the standard ones with the ceramic tweeter, not the diamond ones that were twice as expensive. And they are big. Their custom stands are 29" tall and your ears from a listening position line up not with the tweeter, but with the middle of the mid-range driver that sits below the tweeter. It's weird, but it works, and throws a correspondingly tall sound stage.... Each stand and each speaker weighs about 30 pounds. 

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