Ladder eventually added the option to buy a remote. If you already have the preamp, it can be bought separately too: shorturl.at/lALMX All units will work with it since the remote circuitry was built in already, I covered it in a separate video with some bonus comparisons: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oqya3K2dn6W8hco.html

Thanks for another great review. A comparison with the topping pre 90 would be interesting.

I also use only OCC copper in my DIY projects, even as loudspeaker cable (Neotech SOCT, solid core 20AWG is thick enough) and I can confirm it makes a significant sound improvement)

Thank you for another great review and comparison video 🤗 Hope to see more pre and power reviews and comparison videos in the future 🙂

So enjoy your detailed reviews !

Thank you for your time and effort reviewing this equipment. Much appreciated.

A remote is in fact essential in a unit like this... It's about time that amps and dacs with this quality and price point have one. It doens't cost that much and it doesn't seem that difficult to implement. A lot of budget units have one. Brands couls even integrate all-in-one remotes for same brand products (ie a single remote that could control the amp, preamp and dac for example), that would be excellent and even good for the brands i think, as it could be an incentive for customers to buy others products from the same manufacturer. No remote is not good, but lots of them is not good either.

@wyup

Жыл бұрын

Yes, true. Although most digital sources today have some sort of remote digital volume control. You could combine both for small quick changes and keep sound quality. That's what I do.

@JoseFerreira-zb7wh

Жыл бұрын

@@wyup there are already some brands doing something like this. Denon or marantz i think have a remote that controls both the amp/ DAC and the same series CD player. when you have stackable gear it makes even more Sense i think.

Really a great and helpful review as always! I'll stick to my Acoustic Invader pre-amp and Ladder Schumann dac that for sure. What a fantastic combo that was , and together with AI power amp i'll call that an end game setup!😀

I'm proud to be a patron 😁😁😁. Thank you so much for creating such an amazing KZread channel! Your razor sharp honesty and wit are fabulous to watch...and it's clear that you put so much thought and effort into each video. Thank you! 👍😁👍

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for both your support and heartwarming words. I'll keep it up. 😊

@cheeky1664

Жыл бұрын

@@iiWiReviews 😁😁😁

Yes… Please continue to call them out on essential items like a remote.

That’s impressive that you still love it so much after going back from a crazy preamp! This is a great option if you want something not to mess with your chain

It would be great if a reviewer could explain the relationship between the brands Ladder, Musician and Denafrips. All three offer look alike inside/outside dacs and preamps.

@carlitomelon4610

Ай бұрын

A polite way to circumvent the "grey market" for Denafrips Hestia? The circuit boards are also slightly different from online photos. *I decided Alvin at Vinshine deserved my support for exemplary customer service and support.* I bought Hestia this month. The 3-year warranty is the best of the alternatives too. The sound is clear, expressive and natural with decent depth. Not clinical:-) Nice honest counterfoil to my "preciousss" Musical Paradise MP701mk2 tube&cap rolling preamp ! 🎵🎶😎🎶🎵

Lost me at "no remote control". I'm glad you mentioned that at only 2 minutes in.

@iiWiReviews

9 ай бұрын

They added the remote eventually and now it's an option.

Nice review as always. I know it’s difficult to source Schiit products in your country but the new Schiit Kara ss discrete preamp is supposed to be outstanding

Well done…..great review. Thanks.

4:31 whoa, this is a great album to showcase top end detail. NICE, man

THANKS SRBOLJUB, I AM SURE SOME WILL WANT IT 🤗💚💚💚

Another great review! Can you review the Numan all in one receiver.

LED front looks exactly like the Denafrips Hestia's.

These Ladder products are obviously being manufactured at the Denefrips facility. I own a Pontus II (LOVE it), and owned their Athena Preamp (not for me,no warmth). All of their preamps have those same cheap, horrible red displays, like this Ladder Bach Preamp, and no remote is a total deal-killer for me, too. I have a 🧟‍♂️Franken-Freya+ 😀 (I performed surgery on the tube stage by removing the 4 cheap electrolytic film capacitors and replaced them with Oil-Impregnated,Metallized Polypropylene Film Capacitors. I also replaced the 8 cheap resistors with audiophile Audio Note resistors. I am using NOS tubes, also.). The tube stage is super 3-D now and has more clarity and punch. All of this modification was challenging and fun and I smile every time I play music, now!!! This hobby can be rewarding….Would love to hear your new A.I. Preamp! Looks COOL!

@onionknight9431

Жыл бұрын

You bought Athena used? Mine came with a remote that weighs a few pounds made with solid aluminum. It also has plenty of warmth that resembles the Pontus II in my system.

@bobb.9917

Жыл бұрын

@@onionknight9431 I was in my new growth phase (30 yr. lapse 😅). It’s an audio story. I was really disappointed in my $3500 Kinki Studio EX-B7 Mono Blocks. My 40-yr-old Bob Carver C-500 sounded better, with the original capacitors. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Sterile (to me),clinical bass…just disappointing. Alvin at Vinshine said that the Athena would warm it up. I bought it new.. NOPE. I took a financial bath! No returns. LOL! Sold that stuff (To be fair it may have been the mono blocs/synergy thing, not The Athena. Not sure). Also, I may not have been clear above, perhaps. My Athena had a remote, The Ladder Bach doesn’t. …Now I am I2S Design Mercury Streamer => Pontus II DAC => Schiit Loki Max Equalizer => Franklen-Freya+ Preamp=> McIntosh 152 Power Amp.I love the very small Schiit solid aluminum remotes. They are stylin' I am super happy, NOW!….…but we all prefer a certain sound.

@onionknight9431

Жыл бұрын

@@bobb.9917 I almost went the same route with the Kinki B7/Athena combo. I got a pairs of PS Audio M700 instead because some Kinki users have stated that the amps would go into protection mode and it appears to be a design flaw. The M700s were too clinical and the midrange was thin. Eventually I got a pair of Schiit Tyr Monoblocks and I’m in heaven. I also had the Pontus II, loved it for vocals, but it was too slow for modern music. Currently running laptop-Gustard U18 DDC-R26 Dac-Athena-Tyr. In the future I might try some tube preamps. Glad you like your current set up👍

Available remote also operates Marantz and Musical Fidelity CD players -if its same as my Hestia12th remote: No wasted buttons;-)

Looks like the denafrips pre amp

Gustard p26 preamp is amazing and you can roll up opamp with sparkos op amp and thanks me later also does have remote as well

No remote on a device that controls volume. The review should have ended there instead of pretending even audio Nirvana could make up for that deal breaking oversight. Made in the POC with a POC warranty and no remote, have at it.

@jd5787

6 ай бұрын

Get the denafrips hestia then. Read it is the same but with a metal remote

Thanks !

Nice review, as always! If there’s no remote, so you can’t dim or turn off the screen too? If so, also deal breaker for listening at night

Comparing with Denafrips and Musician Audio (Monoceros) would be interesting. Provided Ladder decides to implement a remote volume control.

Thank you very much for this detailed review of the Ladder Bach. Could you please do a video of Ladder Bach vs Topping Pre90?

I bought this preamp after watching a few reviews about it, and I absolutely love it after listening solid three weeks.

@giulianof8687

9 ай бұрын

Hi Leo, Is It possible to turn It on or off by using the remote controller?

@leonardoortiz393

9 ай бұрын

@@giulianof8687 hi, this unit doesn’t have a remote control

@keithwoollen5745

8 ай бұрын

I bought one of these sounds excellent it’s fed with my `Gustard R26 dac ,it took me awhile to find out how to put the unit into standby though 😊

Too bad about the remote.I think the new Schiit Lyr+ @$599 (in USA) might be a better choice or if balanced is required the Freya +.When lower priced value DACs like the Denafrips Ares don't have a remote the lack of one here is a real omission

Thanks for another excellent review! Are both the RCA and XLR outputs active with one input? If it's the case, people will be able to hook up a pair of powered subwoofers directly on the preamp.

Wow that's some serious Dinar for the top AI.I would think about listenin g if I were there but here in USA a Rogue RP-7 would be at top of my list

great review as usual looks like denafrips a preamp. I think their performance would be very similar. Anyway , not having a remote Iis a huge caveat. I do not think It Is suitable for a desktop solution.

Looks like Denafrips…both Preamp and DAC

@jasonmehlhoff8877

Жыл бұрын

Looks just like my old Hades

@augustinvaclavik6282

5 ай бұрын

They all do 😂 super annoying, at this point I wouldn't sweat those few last dollars and take customer service as part of the cost, for which denafrips is known from what I heard.

I like your review. Have you ever listen to Quad artera pre. A bit further expense but packed with more input and output. If you could do a comparison would be great

Very good review Srbo, as usual! Thank you also for the choice of the subject - not the kind of a product everyone is looking at to purchase, but none the less interesting to see and hear about. Kudos to you for a very honest comparison between this and other preamps, especially with the AI's. As to the Bach itself, it seams like a great sounding product, but the omission of a remote is not really understandable in this day and age, whatever the sound quality might be.

Yes - the lack of a remote, in this streaming age - is a lack. In the "old days" when we listened to LPs or CDs that are engineered to be played back at one volume setting, then this is fine. But on many streams, the volume is not normalized, and the lack of a remote will get you some exercise.

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I wouldn't mind listening to the whole recording in one take that way, but listening to any sort of mixed playlist simply requires a quick and easy volume control.

I'd buy one no question if it had a remote. That is a deal breaker for me and many others I'm sure

Looks the same as the Denafrips Hestia only the front knobs and faceplate change. The Denafrips Hestia comes with a remote, unlike the Ladder PreAmp.The same Chinese company just a re-brand so another company can re-distribute the products.

Hi, I am looking to replace my PS Audio Stellar again Cell DAC/Preamp. I have had to send it back 2x for repair. I am keeping the M700 monoblocks class D amps. What Pre amp would be a great replacement and of course a great corresponding DAC ? I have the ability to spend $3k + for the combination. Thanks for your help, I appreciate how you explain each piece of gear you review!! You get right to the point.

No home theater bypass = no sale! As you said, it's 2023. Manufacturers need to get their s--t together!

@mrpmj00

Ай бұрын

parasound has HT bypass on several models

Shenzen confirmed this is based on a Hestia

Just bought one and it is now available with a remote. Big heavy chunky thing too.

@franknelissen8041

6 ай бұрын

How is the amp? Are you enjoying it?

@jonathanhart-sc6ix

6 ай бұрын

really liking it a lot, would have no problems recommending it. Def a keeper for me.

Thanks for your very interesting review. One question: Are Musician Monoceros and Denafrips Hestia the same product with different brands? Thanks!

Very interested, however: WHY can't a microprocessor controlled volume control be setup with a BALANCE CONTROL feature?? Those of us with asymmetric hearing or room layouts are waiting for this feature! Maybe add the BALANCE CONTROL feature to the $50 remote control option? 🎵🎶🎶😮🎶🎵

Thank you for this nice review as always. How is this preamp compared with the Gustard P26? I'm consider to buy one of them but I'm not sure wich would be better. Regards!

@iiWiReviews

8 ай бұрын

I haven't heard P26 so it's tough to comment on it. This one is great though and now can be bought with a remote.

@Infynyte

8 ай бұрын

@@iiWiReviews Nice then. Thank you! :)

The point of a preamp is literally volume control and input selection, how dare you make one of €900 WITHOUT a remote?

denafrips product under the hood 😉

ladder bach vs Gustard P26 vs Topping Pre90 vs Acoustic invader preamp. which is best? is it worth the extra money for the AI?

I'm very interested in an analog only preamp and almost ordered the Schiit Kara, but the noise from the relay volume control would really bother me. Is the Ladder Bach silent or do all good preamps use relay volume control now?

I would like to request a review on the Schiit Audio Kara solid state Preamp please. Almost nothing on the web about this newer product. Thanks

@Rebellovw

4 ай бұрын

I'm buying the Kara.

Hello! Compared to Aune S17 Pro purely as a preamp, which sounds best according to your opinion?

If it had a balanced headphone socket on the front i would buy one tomorrow ! Why not ?

Looks like my Denafrips Hades or their Hestia... I wish you would have removed the lid to see what is inside... No remote? Even my $599 Schiit Freya S has a remote...

Nice review, but I would have liked to have seen close-ups of the unit’s front

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

Oh, I guess I didn't include it during the review...my bad. You can still see two upfront images at the end of the video during the outro with music.

Reminds me of Denafrips Hades....

I wonder if you can use the XLR OUTPUT as a headphone amplifier?? Just like Golden Sound and CMA did 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

Is the operation manual that has some specification on this unit?

More fulcrum please

I have both Schumann and Bach... really good stuff. 👍

@asecrethollywoodtranny6379

7 ай бұрын

what about Boya? I hear they will also realease an amp too

Highly considering this pre with 2 buckeye hypex monoblocks. I'm pretty new to this. Can anyone tell me how i would get true stereo to my subs via rca and also good product to connect with bluetooth? Also what tubes you using bro!? I would go ahead and order the tubes youre using if i buy the freya Thanks!

Striking similarities to Denafrips and Musician. I can't find an internal photo or more detailed specs like inZ or a manufacture website - I am 'bookmarking' preamps in this bracket though feel there are too many unanswered questions here...

what good is a preamp if you can't control the volume from the listening position?

FYI, I just watch another review on this preamp. While there is no remote supplied, there is remote functionality. A remote can be bought from Ladder that will work. Not sure of price.

A pre amp without a remote is absolutely useless to me. Its fugly too. It really doesn't matter how it sounds if it lacks the most basic functionality! Appreciate your review anyway..

Thank you very much for the video. The problem is where to get the Fulcrum.

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

For any info on Fulcrum, you can contact the manufacturer at acousticinvader@gmail.com I only took it for a spin but it is build to a such high standards, and sounds like it too... That I ended up purchasing it. 😅

@juliancrun

Жыл бұрын

@@iiWiReviews Thanks!!!

What's the difference with the basic vs Fulcrum preamp?

I wonder if this and the Denafrips and the Musician Audio Monoceros are all the same thing with slightly different cases and features. They are all very similar looking with virtually identical back panels.

@mattmarceau8156

Жыл бұрын

It’s a fair point. Ladder seems to look so similar that I imagine they’re made in the same factory. Would actually be very interesting to get a comparison between Ladder and Denafrips Hestia pre.

thanks for the review... would you recommend this with a Headphone Amp?

@iiWiReviews

8 ай бұрын

I don't know of a head-amp that doesn't have a preamp built-in, so you would just double that section which would not be beneficial.

@codebuster3132

8 ай бұрын

@@iiWiReviews I have Cayin HA-6A headphone tube Amp

@iiWiReviews

8 ай бұрын

Fine stuff, no need for a preamp there.

Will it be a good match for R26?

could you make it more precise? I bass neutral or rother emphasized?

If the preamp will not modify the sound, what use it will have? :)) Almost all dac's had an volume knob this days :)

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

It doesn't modify tonality but it does increase overall drive, dynamics, kick... Soundstage too. A good preamp or simply buffer always does that compared to the DAC direct (talking about most DACs, I'm sure there are exceptions with excellent preamp stage, I just haven't tried them yet).

@Sorin_F

Жыл бұрын

@@iiWiReviews It could also rising the noise floor re-amplify a signal already amplified at line level...you will need to decrease the gain of the preamp a lot and also probably to decrease the dac volume also a lot and that combination had the potential to add more noise. Aniway for an totally digital system the best preamp is no preamp as people say, following the philosophy of less things in the signal path the better. But the opinion it is that with an excellent particularly best preamp in some defined circumstances could you see a great benefit, more so with high quality tube preamps. It is complicated to match such system and gain a real benefit instead of loosing some, and add also to costs hard to justify.

Can you pair delta sigma dacs to this or is this pre-amp designed for R2r dacs?

@iiWiReviews

11 ай бұрын

You can pair it with any DAC you want.

If I pair SMSL M500 Dac fixed Volume with exterernal Balance out. Will that gonna improve sound resolution and crispy clear. With the same power amp and speaker.

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

Preamp doesn't add clarity or resolution... It cannot. Instead you usually gain bolder, bigger, more energetic sound. And compared to that, DAC out directly to the power amp usually sounds slightly lean and analytical. .

@nattaphoomtewarun9978

Жыл бұрын

Have you review GUSTARD P26?

wonder how it compares to Kinki and Doge

What’s the output voltage and gain on this preamp

@carlitomelon4610

Ай бұрын

Zero Unity gain.

My DAC already has Volume knobs, can someone tell me what advantage would this preamp do if i used it with my dac?

@Sorin_F

Жыл бұрын

I think really no advantage :)) because could not improve the received signal :) The use of preamp is old time analog domain story...this days almost all dac output line level analog signal...no need for a preamp if you listen to digital sources...but if you use analogic ones like a turntable then had his use.

@azar3006

Жыл бұрын

@@Sorin_F I disagree, Maybe in some higher end DACS your statement holds true but I just spent over a year listening to my BlueSound Node connected directly to my amp but always felt something was missing specially low level listening so I finally dragged out my 20 year old Rotel preamp and hooked it up. What a difference, everything is more dynamic and can hear everything even on the lowest volume. You are short changing yourself if you think a digital volume control in a dac is all you need !

@mrpmj00

Ай бұрын

sounds better even with music streaming. home theater bypass switch sources left/right balance tone control treble/bass/subwoofer

I need a preamp but with a budget of 500€ ... and a remote ...

No remote = no deal.

A 900$ pre-amp without a remote ? In the garbage can ! it's 2023, do they expect you to get out of your listening seat and walk over to change the volume ?

@2ridiculous41

Жыл бұрын

or just change it on an app fro a streamer.

Thomas & Stereo asked for a remote controller and ShenZhen Audio sent him. 😂 kzread.info/dash/bejne/o2ahxNqSeLCnn8o.html

How is this different from the "Musician Monoceros" preamp for $1,169 just reviewed by SoundNews reviews? Or the "Denafrips Hestia" for $1,069? This one's $899 & ALL 3 are IDENTICAL. lol..chinese rip-offs 🔈🔉🔊 Do you see all three the same lie?

Where is this brand made?

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

It's a Chinese brand.

Why do audiophiles put diffusers on the front wall?

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

To diffuse sound wave reflections of that wall and make echo-like reflections much less obvious, without deadening the room too much (like you would do if you only used absorbers).

@dougleydorite

Жыл бұрын

@@iiWiReviews I feel like putting the diffusers on the front wall would be the most least effective. If you diffuse the sound that is directed forwards, (side walls, ceiling, back walls etc) by the time it bounces back and hits the front wall, it will already be diffused anyways. The only direct sound that goes backwards is low frequencies, and those diffusers will do nothing

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

Yes, they don't pickup first reflections in that place, but the effect is still very noticeable and positive. First I found professional acoustic expert writeups about that being good place for diffusion, than I've tried it and confirmed it really brings noticeable improvement. After several tests of putting them up and removing them (also testing absorbers in the same spot), I really liked what they do so I fixed them there. As for the first reflection points, I found absorbers to work much better on my side walls then diffusers. I have yet to experiment with the ceiling's first reflections. Will try both absorption, diffusion, and mix. Once done, I'll make a video about why is everything where it is, how it changed the sound, how alternatives worked, etc.

@dougleydorite

Жыл бұрын

@@iiWiReviews fair enough. I find that the only way I can tell if things are better or worse, is through REW measuremts. It's hard for your brain to remember what setup A sounded like by the time setup B is complete and REW will show proof of which setup has a more balance reverb time or impulse response etc

Why do you need a preamp? Volume control? Those are $50. I use my headphone amp also as a preamp (Asgard 3). Am I missing something?

@mrpmj00

Ай бұрын

sounds better even with music streaming. home theater bypass switch sources left/right balance tone control treble/bass/subwoofer

Funny how many people think a remote is essential to change volume when they stream and have volume controls on controllers for streaming.

@AjuVignesh

Жыл бұрын

There is a whole lot of difference between a software volume control and a hardware volume control.

No remote! LOL Fugetaboutit! Pfffff

a preamp without a remote hahahahaha

FIRST!

@frederf69

Жыл бұрын

prat

@metalunleashed

Жыл бұрын

@@frederf69 haha ncie one

I’m a recent subscriber I very much like your style of sonic analysis .

@iiWiReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks and welcome!

Does it give extra volume/headroom for the amp?