Acoustic Invader Fulcrum - Why I use this preamp

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00:00 Into
01:33 Build, connectivity, parts
05:19 Insides
07:01 Sound
11:31 vs EAR 868
15:47 Conclusion I
18:32 Babbling
19:57 Conclusion II
22:10 Made by Maverick

Room test system:

Head-Fi:

#hifi #audiophile #preamp #stereo

[thanawitsagulthang]

When you have a girlfriend who understands your personal interest and hobby, you are that very lucky audiophile. That is something which can’t be bought with any amount of money and I believe many people who have the privilege to be in the market for this pre amp may not even have the privilege to have a nice girlfriend like yours. Be grateful.

[TisiBisi]

Srbolijub, I can't tell you how valuable your reviews have been for me. I always write down your music recommendations as well. Keep up the fantastic work!

[seano]

You're not a loser! Don't say that! I know you're probably joking but I watch quite a bit of you guys and you are one of my favorites and the best guy out of the all that reviews DACs, you're a guru at it! You provide many people with so much knowledge about the hobby we are so passionate about and I thank you! I do like your humor though. Thank you for another great video!

[abxaudiophiles]

Stunning looking pre-amp!! Well done review sir.. :) So what you are saying is that the remote is dual purpose and can be used in self-defence... HA...

[richardsaila]

This means you "need" also other endgame devices like server, streamer, DAC, amp and speakers in order to hear how good the preamp really is. 😉

[DaMaxchi]

This preamp is WAY, WAY out of my financial reach and thus there is very little of this video that is of practical use to me. However, the "Babbling" section totally applies to me and made the whole video worth watching. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!!!

[ronkindel]

This is probably the one of most useful and concise reviews I’ve seen on YouTube. There isn’t a wasted word in the entire review. Loaded with insights delivered with imaginative allegories. Delivery and pacing is first rate. The reviewer clearly presents a case for this preamp and does a great job explaining how a product at this price can still provide value to the right buyer.

[johncallaghan]

Hi Srboljub -- as you may remember, I bought the base version Acoustic Invader preamp on your recommendation and have been very pleased with it, although the motorised volume control has become a little bit crackly as it turns -- I suppose the pot needs cleaning. I have it coupled with an XTC a2-300 class D power amp and an aune X8 DAC (also bought on your recommendation) with upgraded XP2 power supply and sparkos op-amp.

I also have a pair of Decware ZF15M open baffle clones I put together myself -- with not a little help from a professional woodcutter to make the 40mm thick giant toilet-seat-shaped oak baffles. The speakers, complete with their full range drivers, cost around £1300. This is much cheaper than the commercial versions, which with VAT, delivery and other costs would be around £5000 in the UK.

Chuck in a pair of Tellurium Q black II speaker cables, a supra USB cable, Chord C-line interconnects, an ifi purifi 3 USB purifier, a REL T0 sub plus a refurbished laptop -- and my whole main system cost a shade under £5000. Would be getting on for twice the price if I'd paid full whack for everything.

The point is, I find this system immensely satisfying and my sense is that a Fulcrum wouldn't bring that much extra to the party. As you point out, our hobby isn't exactly essential for life as we know it. You made the decision to buy the Fulcrum, which I'm guessing with a trade in of your original base AI preamp plus a little haggling might have cost you c.€4-4.5K. Goran pitched it to me at the time I purchased the base amp, but I stuck with my original choice and have never regretted it. I respect your choice, of course, but for me it was a step or three too far. Blame it on my catholic upbringing -- I have grown up with a bit of a hair-shirt mentality and would feel even more guilty than I already do if I'd splashed out on the Fulcrum! 🙂

What I like about the base amp together with the A2-300 power amp is that the latter is very transparent and neutral and only seems to amplify faithfully what precedes it in the chain. I get that lovely class-A rich and full yet detailed (without seeming analytical) sound with the preamp hardly changing temperature from standby -- it's only 67W IIRC.

Anyway, this is possibly why I can relate to your channel and am a Patreon -- we experience a roughly similar basic sound signature. It's taught me quite a lot about what audiophiles (I myself think I'm more of a *music lover*) mean when they use the terms they do.

[phantomplastics]

Thank you for another wonderful informative review and for giving people a chance to learn about this hidden gem of a brand!

[DeanCaselli]

Best 'conclusions' ever. More 'transparency' in these comments than any pre-amp could ever provide!

[jos]

Oh, so expensive 😮, the cheaper one is much more interesting, but how do I know it fits perfectly with a certain power amp, or mono power amps? Perfect girlfriend anyhow, but don’t spend your money on it!!

[fletchermunson]

Don't let that girlfriend go! When would find another like her? Also, no one goes to their death saying that they wish they had saved more money.

[bobb.]

Love the look and build of this preamp…you are one fortunate guy! I could not spend that much for a single component…so II decided to supercharge my Schiit Freya +. With guidance from the web, I took it apart and removed all the cheap metalized capacitors and resistors in the tube stage circuit of the unit. I replaced the capacitors with V-Cap ODAM series Oil Impregnated Metallized Polypropylene film capacitors and the resistors with Audio Note brand. The parts cost about $800 and I had an adventure and a thrill! 😀

[kenrickhadley]

I must say this to you, your girlfriend is correct. These things such as music are not AIR, WATER, OR FOOD. I know that in the totality of that thing which is my life, a part of me would die emotionally and spiritually if there was no music or art every moment of my life. I have always regretted things i did not get when i look back at how much i could have gotten that for. I have always been happy as the years of enjoyment past and i forgot how much i paid. I am happy she said to you at that moment what she said, instead of hearing you say on your channel, WOW, I could have gotten that.I come to you when I am thinking of getting something and have never been sorry I bought it when I hear my music, thanks to you.

[madcrabber]

I have found that no matter how much cash I throw at my gear that I get a much better result if I simply listen to something that has been recorded better.

[rm-mastering]

Thank you so much for this review of a wonderfuly aesthetically pleasing design. It looks both inside and out fabulously executed.

[OlympicBruce]

Srboljub, YOU ARE A WINNER ! It only do you have a great preamp, you have a great girlfriend! Enjoyable video!

[HIFIDaydreaming]

This dude is a pilot and crating awesome HIFI electronics? Damn, not just you man; we all feel left behind comparing to that. Great review as always.

[johan]

You are a very lucky person to be able to own, enjoy & appreciate that flagship preamp. You are also very lucky to have a girlfriend on your side of the hobby. Don't wait too long to marry her, if that's what she is waiting for. 😁

[endurosp]

Congratulations to finding the right preamp for your taste!
Hope you will enjoy it for many years to come!
Must be an excellent benchmark when reviewing equpiment👌😊