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Light dependent resistor volume control
LDR Passive Preamps
Better technology. Better audio.
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Recent Review by Audiophilia.com
Audiophilia Review of the LDR1B.V25 Balanced Passive Preamp & TPB.V1 Tube Preamp Buffer
"Impeccable clarity, transparency, and neutrality with a dash of smoothness (that made listening non-fatiguing)."
"... the Tortuga Audio LDR1B.V25 Passive Balanced is clearly among the very best—perhaps even the best—I have ever heard in my system.If you already have volume control built within your source and would like to explore an elegant/tasteful dash of tube euphonies, then by all means try out adding in the TPB.V1 to your system. And if in need of an active preamp with at most 2 inputs, check out the LDR1B.V25 together with the TPB.V1 buffer; they make a wonderful pair. As in Happy Together, by the Turtles, the two components indeed are happy together.Highly recommended."
Closer To The Sound of Music
Your search for the perfect preamp for your system could be over
Tortuga Audio preamp owners recently sent us these unsolicited comments...
"What an experience! Truly the best sound I've ever heard in my system. A layer of "mush" has disappeared.... More details and less harshness, especially in mid-upper-high range... It is absolutely marvellous at low levels....it's all in perfect balance from 1 through 99 with a beautiful room experience, width and depth in the music."
"I am a classical musician, aged 68. In the audio hobby maybe around 30 years. Have heard no end of preamps and passives. Certainly 100s, maybe more. Yours is the best sounding - the closest to the sound of music."
By A Different Path
To make a better sounding preamp we took a different path
Our preamps don't use conventional volume control hardware.
- No potentiometers ("pots")
- No stepped attenuators (switched resistors)
- No transformers
Our preamps use "light dependent (photo)resistors" or LDRs. Photoresistors are not new technology but they pose unique and difficult challenges to audio engineers. That is why preamps typically use conventional volume control hardware. We took on those challenges and solved them. Why? Because we wanted to design a better sounding preamp. So we did.
A few notables
Light Dependent Resistors
99+% of all other preamps use conventional volume control technology. Not here. Tortuga Audio uses light dependent resistors. Not just different audio. Better audio.
A Better Passive Preamp
Many Tortuga Audio customers decided to sell their existing $10k+ world class high end tube preamps after auditioning our LDR passive preamps. Yes, they're that good.
Affordable High End Performance
For a little over $1k your system can achieve a level of performance that rivals high end systems that cost thousands of dollars more. One of the best values in audio today.
No Gain - No Pain
With rare exception you don't need gain (volume boost) in your preamp. Tortuga Audio's LDR preamps provide excellent attenuation without any harmful manipulation of the audio signal.
Full Range Dynamics
No shortage of dynamics and punch here! Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamps deliver truly impressive bass plus clear, clean & balanced mid/highs with no grain or harshness. Adjustable impedance renders matching a moot issue.
Please Remain Seated
Yes, Tortuga Audio preamps have a volume control knob. No, you don't need to get up and use it if you don't want to. All Tortuga Audio preamps are controlled via a nice simple remote. So sit back & enjoy!
Rather Do It Yourself?
Tortuga Audio also sell components and kits for those who enjoy the satisfaction of building their own gear while saving quite a lot of money in the process. We support the makers movement.Reviews Are In
Owners and independent reviewers agree that Tortuga Audio's passive preamps offer exceptional performance and value.Our Most Popular Model
LDR3.V2 Passive Preamp | $1195
- Superior audio quality | light dependent resistors
- Single ended stereo | unity gain passive preamp
- Cardas RCA jacks | 3 inputs | 2 output
- Dual channel display (blue)
- Fully IR remote controlled | Apple remote
- Firmware/feature updates via USB port
- 12 V trigger out
- Front panel
- Silver or black brushed anodized aluminum
- Lacquered carbonized bamboo
- Upgraded signal hookup wire (point to point)
- Neotech ultra-pure continuous caste 26 AWG solid copper
Have Questions?
We'd love to hear from you. We respond to every inquiry.
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