Price Paid:  $400.00 from EBAY

Summary:
This AMC has user replacable (2) 12AU7 and (2) 12AX7 input tubes. Toss those tubes and replace with Mullard ECC82, RCA clear 12AU7, Amperex 12AU7 or Siemens 12AU7. For 12AX7, I've had good luck with Sovtek LPS version, Amperex. The Ei silver plates sounded good but became microphonic.

The front end is completely tubed, except the phono stage. User features that I've enjoyed are two sets of outputs for amps, when needed - balance and tone control, easily replacable tubes, good number of inputs and ultimately, and tunable sound with tubes. Overall and value rating, I give it a 5/5 since those super-exotic tube-o-philes won't be considering this preamp in this price range. Excellent.

Strengths:
+ Super value for sound and flexibility.
+ Tunable sound with tubes.
+ Soft treble and relaxed sound without losing much detail. This is with direct comparison to direct inputs and passive preamps.
+ Very good soundstage and imaging, though not breathtaking.
+ Very good balance, dynamics, pace and rhythm.
+ Good dynamics and bloom without over-softening treble or flabby bass.
+ Good for my CD system and Triangle speakers with lively treble.
+ Good match with SS or dynamic tube amp.

Weaknesses:
- A bit soft in the top end when stock. Next mod is to replace 2.2uf coupling caps. This was not an issue until I upgraded my CD with a DAC.
- Tube sockets are not great. I'd like to upgrade to ceramics.
- Loses a bit on treble side, but never transfers harshness in sound like SS. This matches my Triangle speakers and CD player well at this time.
- May not match well with dull speakers, soft amp or laid back sources.
- Circuity could use upgrade with FRED, removable power cord, internal wiring, capcitor changes, volume pot change, soft start.

Similar Products Used:
* Custom built Bottlehead Foreplay with 12AU7 and 6SN7 w/C4S (Compared to my custom Bottlehead foreplay, this amp is immediately softer and less lively. Though, after longer listening, this is much more together harmonically, and has even sound. The bottlehead has a brighter (not harsh) treble and better transparency, but is not as listenable for long-term with its light balance. The midrange is a bit sucked out and the Bottlehead was a poor match in my system and likings. Although, it did sound better than anything I owned at the time).
* Solid state Parasound, direct CD control, passive attenuator, 300B integrated.

Price Paid:  $490.00 from Retrodaze Audio

Summary:
After hearing the improved sound of my cd player through a 12watt/
channel tube integrated amp, I knew I wanted tube electronics some-
where along the audio chain. Checking the Retrodaze web site, I
decided on the AMC 1030a preamp w/tube sockets. This is a one of
the best buys in audio today; there are inputs for phono, cd, dat,
balanced cd inputs, tape decks, and bi-amp capablities. Tube sub-
stitution allows you to tune your system to your tastes.

Strengths:
This preamp brings out the best in your system. The unit's midrange is
terrific. I used it with the tubed int.amp, McIntosh MC250, and SAE TWO
100watt/channel solid state amp. Build quality is good, and you have
the option of using discrete tone controls or controls bypass. If you
use a harsh or brittle sounding cd player, try hooking it to the dat inputs; the
dynamic range is there, but with a pronounced mid-range. The phono
stage is much better than in the ok McIntosh C26 preamp and in the
excellent Sansui AUX-501 int.amp.

Weaknesses:
The stock Golden Dragon 12AX7A is not bad;
the sound is similar to a lower gain 5751
tube. Consider substituting the harsh sounding
stock 12AU7 with a NOS.Reasonably priced ones
can be found at www.audiotubes.com and ASTI
Tube Services.

Price Paid:  $365.00 from retrodazeaudio.com

Summary:
Because of the exceptional customer service that both Brent and Jim provide, I will be doing future business with the two of them. And because of their effortless help they provided me, I now have a bargain vacuum tube preamp that I think blows away most solid-state preamps in the $800 to under $2000 price range. Best of all, I know that I can bring the AMC CVT1030 tube preamp a bit closer sonically to McIntosh, Cary Audio, Manley Labs, or Hovland tube preamps costing three times as much, simply by upgrading the vacuum tubes to Ei, Mullard, or even Telefunken! I wholeheartedly recommend the AMC CVT1030 (including the "a", "s", or "as") for those audiophiles on a strict budget...this is a great preamp for those individuals breaking new ground into the world of vacuum tubes. With the option to experiment by upgrading tubes to acheive musical nirvana, and at such a small cost, I don't know why I didn't do this much sooner!

Strengths:
See previous review.

Weaknesses:
See previous review.

Similar Products Used:
See previous review.

Price Paid:  $365.00 from retrodazeaudio.com

Summary:
Without hesitation, Brent went ahead and sent me a brand new CVT1030 (normally a non-socketed version), but with tube sockets installed, and the very same JAN Philips/Sovtek combo in place...all this even before I could ship my "defective" unit back to him! It has to be said that Brent provides excellent service! When I received the new replacement CVT1030 a couple of days later, I immediately opened the unit to find the JAN Philips/Sovtek vacuum tubes all snug in their newly installed tube sockets. I then installed the new preamp in my system, and carefully turned it on...so far, so good! After letting it warm up for a few minutes, I began to realize what all the fuss was about when listening to my audiophile-quality reference CD's and Direct-to-Disc LP's. Almost instantly, I noticed the midrange harshness usually associated with solid-state equipment, virtually elliminated from my recordings! The grain was gone; in its place was a much warmer, open, airy quality that I've never experienced before. And as the preamp's tubes were broken in for over 48 hours, the sweeter the soundstage became. Unfortunantly, I began to experience another problem; from time to time, there would be a faint popping sound coming from my Klipsch Cornwall loudspeakers, similar to an LP "pop". I knew it wasn't my music, and after searching through various vacuum tube websites, several sites all mentioned the very same noise problem associated with the inexpensive Russian made Sovtek 12AX7WA tubes. As with Brent Hite, major props also have to go to Jim McShane of "Jim's Citation Amp and Vacuum Tube Pages" (http://pages.prodigy.net/jimmcshane/), a proud individual sponsor to www.audioasylum.com. Jim also went way beyond the call to duty by answering each and every question I had concerning the noisy tube, tube matching, mixing and matching by manufacturer, tube functions, etc. By his recommendations, I was able to isolate the popping Sovtek, choose another inexpensive pair of 12AX7WA's (JAN Philips) to replace the Sovteks, purchase them at a discount, and recommend future (more expensive) upgrades later on. I quickly received the expertly packaged JAN Philips NOS tubes in the mail, popped them in, and not only did the noise disappear, but the tube swap smoothed out my mids and highs even further, without sacrifising the bass. Because of the exceptional customer service that both Brent

Strengths:
See previous review.

Weaknesses:
See previous review.

Similar Products Used:
See previous review.

Price Paid:  $365.00 from www.retrodazeaudio.c

Summary:
For years I've been reading the virtues of vacuum tube components over solid-state (both Sterophile, Listener, and other audio magazines provide great articles on the subject), but I've been pretty much turned off by their rather quirkey nature, lower power amp ratings, and exceedingly high pricetags! I didn't want to give up my powerful 200 watt McIntosh MC 7200 amplifier, so I concluded that if I wanted that warm tube sound while maintaining the power and deep bass punch of a solid-state amp, I'd have to switch to a vacuum tube preamp. Unfortunantly, even used tube preamps from McIntosh, Audio Research, conrad-johnson, Sunfire, etc. were out of my price range! What's an audiophile with champagne tastes on a beer budget supposed to do? While searching on eBay for used tube preamp auctions, I stumbled across an auction for a British designed "valve" preamp; a demo AMC Model CVT1030s, with the "Buy It Now" price of $365! I've never seen a vacuum tube component of any kind at this unheard of low price, so I was a bit skeptical. I decided to do some research by reading the reviews about this preamp on this very website, and I have to say I was rather impressed with the results, so I decided to take a chance and buy it! This preamp is packed with quality features: seven inputs, including phono; two outputs; a "Direct" switch that bypasses the tone controls; optional balanced output plug-in module; and three convenience AC outlets (two switched, and one unswitched). The seller, Brent Hite of "Retrodaze Audio Products" (www.retrodazeaudio.com) was extremely communicative, answering all my questions, and wasting no time in shipping the preamp! Within days, UPS delivered what looked like a new unit, even though it was a demo CVT1030s (the "s" representing the socketed version). At no extra charge, Brent installed two JAN Philips 12AU7 tubes, and two Sovtek 12AX7WA tubes, replacing the original Chinese tubes. I disconnected my Carver C-4000 preamp, connected the AMC in its place, and turned my audio system on. Imagine the shock I experienced when with all the gains set to minimum, I heard a howling, buzzing sound that also blew a fuse in my power amp! I immediately shut my system down, and notified Brent that I had what I thought was a defective preamp (I found out later it was a bad 12AU7; there was absolutely nothing wrong with the preamp). Without hesitation, Bren

Strengths:
Simple, somewhat plain looking, but straightforward appearance. Functions are as described, loads of features plus upgradability, it's warm sound that makes music come alive, and it's attractive price...even at retail, it's a steal!

Weaknesses:
Build quality could be improved, rubbery knobs a turn-off (prefer metal), ganged "Balance" control sucks (spend the extra costs in providing a seperate control/knob), also adding "Mute" and "Mono" would be nice...I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to afford this preamp if all these conditions were met!

Similar Products Used:
None! All previous preamps were solid-state...Carver C-1 and C-4000 Control Consoles.