Chameleon - finally the word “unique” has meaning.

 

Chameleon has a motherboard/daughterboard design. The motherboard allows you to set up the preamp with or without global feedback. Feedback can be changed at any time by moving the header shorting blocks. The motherboard has most of the functionality of any other preamp. It has the RCA jacks emerging from the backside, selector switch nestled closely between them, muting circuitry, power supply, coupling caps, etc, but it lacks one thing - the actual amplifier circuitry of the Active Board. See example boards below.

 

Standard PC-1T Active Board with single 6DJ8/6922/6N23P operated in “plate follower” mode is installed in this Chameleon. On that board you can have “degenerative cathode feedback”, know as local feedback, or no local feedback. Other Active Boards include a dual 12AU7 CCGC (Constant Current Grounded Cathode) circuit with moderate gain and low output impedance. There is also a 6 Volt heater version with the superb Russian 6N6P tubes. It is currently supplied with the Elite version of the preamp. There are currently five, yes 5, Active Boards for the Chameleon. Active Boards can be delivered in custom form to provide optimum performance with a certain tube. There is even a special board for the highly regarded 5687 tube. Others use the 6H30Pi and the list grows longer. New active boards are planned with SRPP, octal tubes and other versions. You can see a couple of the tube boards below. Who said listening couldn’t be fun!

 

Yes, you’re right, Active Boards just snap in place without tools. Now you can “roll” not only tubes, but circuits too! You want a different but still great sound then just change the Active Board or try changing the feedback setting. Neat!! The Chameleon preamp uses a meaty toroid power transformer in all versions. More info, pictures and all five tube boards to come soon.

 

 

Chameleon Preamp: $1495, standard PC-1T 6922 SE circuit board shown installed, Alps blue volume pot, Silver-plated selector switch, RN series 1% resistors, Special Digital input noise control

 

Chameleon Elite Preamp: $1995 Introductory Price, Jensen four-pole caps, SILMIC II caps(tube board), PEC volume pot, Silver-plated selector switch, superb diodes, ultra low noise ERL/ERC/RNC 1% resistors

 

Phono Option: Add a phono stage, see here, for $695.