Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 Preamp

[braxus]

Been wanting one of these for a few years now, and I remember when these were on the market. I frequented a store in Vancouver back then to listen to these units. Had the chance to buy a used unit off a good seller, so I made the purchase with him. This unit is the plain Jane version with no upgrades, but I know a shop locally here that can work on these units. I have heard the sound of these units is not really tubey, but more neutral. That works well with the speakers I'm using. This will be connected to my YBA 2HC amplifier. Speakers are B&W 804 Matrix. I haven't tested the preamp yet, as it will be dropped off at the stereo shop for a checkup.

 

[laatsch55]

I like the pot wiring separated from the pre-section by the bulkhead. Nicely put together unit....

 

[Elite-ist]

Wow...that is a nice preamp, Scott. Just checking up on more info on it through browsing the internet.

Nando.

 

[Gepetto]

Made in North America quality. Nice...

 

[braxus]

Thank you for the compliments guys! Nando- you'll have to check the unit out sometime when I get my new place. Canadian made to be honest and it was high end at the time. Happy to now own a piece of our history. The owner of the company was running a parts company and then decided to make stereo gear using the parts he sells. SF is no longer active, but he still runs the parts company and repairs his old stereo pieces today.

 

[braxus]

Though this isn't a pic of my actual piece, its from the internet of the same preamp. Here is a pic of the power supply section of this preamp.

 

[laatsch55]

I see they like French caps too.....

 

[stuwee]

Hola Scott, huge congrat's on your new pre!! As you mentioned it's not a tube sound but a close to the 'realness' , I've not heard one and jealous !!

Nice, Nice, Nice!!

 

[Gepetto]

Though this isn't a pic of my actual piece, its from the internet of the same preamp. Here is a pic of the power supply section of this preamp.

Notice the floating safety/chassis ground...

 

[Fishoz]

How long will we have to wait for your review? Anxious....

 

[braxus]

How long will we have to wait for your review? Anxious....

I just got off work, so I'm anxious to hook it up for temporary use. I was planning on getting it checked out and possibly modded to a newer standard, but I'll leave that for February now. I have a turntable cartridge I've got money down to pick up next month when I finish paying it off.

 

[laatsch55]

Notice the floating safety/chassis ground...

I didn't see a ground period????

 

[Northwinds]

I didn't see a ground period????

Top right hand corner??

 

[laatsch55]

There was a pin for it, but it wasn't there...

 

[NavLinear]

That's what Joe was saying - the earth ground is floating. Did you notice the lug attached to the chassis near the AC socket? I wonder if the ground was attached from the factory (safety) but was removed due to noise?

 

[Gepetto]

That's what Joe was saying - the earth ground is floating. Did you notice the lug attached to the chassis near the AC socket? I wonder if the ground was attached from the factory (safety) but was removed due to noise?

My hunch is that you can add a wire there if desired to make that correction. They likely supply a 0.110 0r 0.187 faston to faston jumper for that purpose.

 

[braxus]

Well it took me a while to hook the thing up with the mess of cables I have everywhere. Didn't listen to it very loud at all, since its late here and the other is reading. My only complaint is I'm not 100% sure if this preamp is squashing dynamics down like drum kicks, etc. Doesn't have the snap of a solid state unit. I did try an 1812 CD and that was better. I have more listening tests to do to see if this is going to bother me or not. Other then that there is lots of air in the music and it does sound quite good otherwise. A bit sweet maybe and smooth as butter. I'm not sure tube pre's squash dynamics or if that is an amp thing. I'll have to find out more. Its also hooked up to my power conditioner. Wasn't an issue before on my Rotel pre, but could it be now?

 

[laatsch55]

As far as the pre goes, a power conditioner should have no effect. I've heard tunes don't do bass well, the one tube system I have heard didn't either...

 

[Northwinds]

Tube stuff is not dynamic sounding to me at all. The McIntosh and early The Fisher equipment I have had in the past looked cool but sounded meh which was why it was sold as quick as possible. If you can't enjoy the music the way your used to and notice deficiencies right away, it's not for you no matter how you try to talk yourself into it

 

[braxus]

Well I had the music at a low volume which didn't help. And playing 1812 showed it may have promise. I'll have to test it further and louder to see if it passes or not.