Comments on: The Pilot ‘Pilotrol’ Hi Fi Preamp of the early 1950s

By: Henry

Henry — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 02:22:00 +0000

My grandfather worked at Pilot for 20 years he was there lead cabinet maker. I still have wood working tools he used there.

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 14:03:59 +0000

Pilotrol is the preamplifier product line of Pilot. Actually, the mono period of Pilot Hi-Fi gears were licensed by RCA since 1952. Pilotrol PA-913 was the last mono preamplifier model. This preamplifier has very rich body and warm tone, tasteful mid to mid-low range, extremely flexible on tone control as well. It was the very first US commercial Hi-Fi preamplifier (consumer model) with UV record meter. FYI, UV record meter also became the icon of Pilotrol in late 50-60, as flagship stereo preamplifier model of Pilot such as Pilot SP-215, Pilot SP-216 and Pilot SP-216A were also equipped with double UV meter at the front panel.

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:55:01 +0000

Thanks for the well written post Chris, I found it informative at the Pilotrol level, and interesting at the philosophical one. Regarding the Pilot, I would say that the little listening I have done has led me to start my own search for a pair. I plan to hook them up to a recently purchased pair of Leak TL 25A power amps. Driven by a Garrard 301 and played through a pair of Tannoy GRF Memorys (Memories?). So far even using a Scott 355 preamp, the system really creates that “vintage resonance”. I see modern gear as amplifying sound, and vintage gear as amplifying emotion. I have a feeling that those bad-boy ‘Trols are going to be the proverbial dogs bollocks! And as for the UI, personally i like to fiddle.. but more importantly (other than the sound itself), I really love that Fitz Lang Metropolis, steam punk design thing they have going there..

By: Bafflegab

Bafflegab — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:16:34 +0000

I think the Marantz 7 got it right all in all, other than having each channel have its own bass and treble tone control, and I would add a stepped stereo attenuator to replace the volume pots today. Of course, we wouldn’t NEED preamps if CD players had volume controls! And a full parametric EQ would be nice on occasion if we could switch it in and out.

By: Craig

Craig — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:15:05 +0000

mono shmono. Get two! 🙂