Summary: I have owned this Pre amp for a couple of years now, I must say mine does go though some tubes [needs replacements about every year] but the sound is GREAT, tubey yet on par with any solid state in terms of detail and air. For the price I dont think anyone can go wrong with this preamp. I'm thinking about some mod's like silver wire etc. but to tell you the truth I'm totally happy with it just the way it is....my amp is Aragon 8008BB and Dynaudio Audience 82 speakers with kimber 8TC wire...weak link in system is kimber, so I'm going with Cardas after testing many different cables...IMO Kimber lacks imageing and bass.
Strengths: Sweet sound, clean, great pre
Weaknesses: non
Similar Products Used: audio research, classe, adcom,
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Summary: Natural and warm sounding but slamp like a solid-state.
First-rate imaging, soundstage and detail.
An excellent product that would become a collectors' item if not already.
Strengths: Huge and deep soundstage; natural instrument and voice reproduction; huge but balanced low end bass. Quality parts and assembly to die for.
Weaknesses: Zil except volume control through remote's still a little too sensitive.
Similar Products Used: NAD, Audiolab, Anthem 1L
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Summary: I own the pre 2l se. This preamp is mated with a nad 521 cd player, and a anthem mca 20 amp..... driving paradigm monitor 20 v2. This pre amp does an exccellent job at articulating a wide soundstage. Not to mention, the headphone amp is high current and uses the tubes to apply the gain.(awsome w/ sennheiser HD-600's) This pre amp, the special edition is fast, transparent, and actually has little tube characteristic sound, although I feel the sound is smoothed do to the tube gain stage.
Strengths: Wide soundstaging and articulation
Weaknesses: No balanced outputs or inputs
Similar Products Used: NAD, rotel
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Summary: I've used this preamp for 8 months. I kind of have an urge to return to solid state for simplicity, but can't pull the trigger on selling this preamp. It sounds just outstanding, crystal clear and clean sound. HT bypass makes it probably a keeper for life, I just can't find an affordable highend alternative with that feature.
I think it sounds great with the stock tubes, but being kind of the antsy sort,
I bought some used Bugleboys on ebay to replace the Sovteks. No real improvement . I tried some new Teslas (the cheap ones from Triode). No real improvement. Then finally I found a different quad of Bugleboys with a little more life in them - abracadabra! Now that's high end! I wish I could pop for some nice NOS tubes, but frankly the way this pre sounds with the simple Sovteks blows me away. Any other tubes that work out are gravy on the cake.
I'll only part with this preamp if I find myself in a position to steal a nice solid stater with all the features I need. Not too likely. This preamp is a killer!
Strengths: Very high-end sounding, with ability to tube roll for fun (not necessity imo). Variable gain switch. HT Passthrough. two outputs. Every feature I need and really great sound.
Weaknesses: Volume control. Just one crappy design problem keeps this from costing more, that's all. God almighty did they make a crappy volume control on this preamp. But it only prevents fine remote adjustments at low volume, so I will not ding the rating. I can get up off my ass to turn the dial at night...
Similar Products Used: an old NAD preamp for about an hour before I went back to the Anthem. Monarchy 18B. Various receivers (none worth mentioning)
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