Price Paid:  $1050.00 from Mile High Fi

Summary:
After auditioning several preamps in the $1000-$2000 range, I went with the Aragon unit for its sheer power and drive and soundstaging. Its active stage was much better than the Adcom 750s active (The Adcom in pasive mode was nice) and overall smoothness was better than the Forte. The Audio Research is a nice unit but the bass had less definition in my opinion.
The Aragon works flawlessly and is very quite. The build is solid, the output rcas are nice for a product of this amount. The ability to adjust the balance is a feature I didn't think too much about unit I realized how often many recordings are tilted off balance. I really like it a lot.
The sound to my ears is very transparent for a $1200 unit, though I have heard better resoulution in a passive design but with less drive, bass and soundstaging.
Overall a very good active stage without spending your savings on it.

Strengths:
Quiet, dependable, sweet yet transparent. 2 pre-outs, build and price

Weaknesses:
No phono, no center detent for balance. No balanced inputs or outputs.

Similar Products Used:
Forte 44, Audio Research LS9, Adcom GFP750, Bryston B20

Summary:
Overall a good buy in terms of sound. In terms of quality I have some doubts. Caveat Emptor?

Strengths:
Clean and neutral sound. Deep bass with little or no coloration. Highs were crisp with very little grain. Overall very pleased with the sound of the unit. If you are considering an Adcom or B&K I suggest you audition the Aragon 28k you will be impressed.

Weaknesses:
The drive motors for the volume and balance control do not work. The volume knob occasionally sticks and the balance knob refuses to move past two o'clock utilizing the remote control. The impression I have is that the Quality Control personnel at Mondial didn't bother to check out the unit before it shipped. I contacted the dealer to return the unit and Mondial said they would ship out a replacement unit right away. That was a week ago and I haven't heard back from the dealer yet.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom, B&K, Sonic Frontiers, NAD

Summary:
Here's a well designed, nice looking, neutral preamp that has a
remote control anyone can understand. The real fun
thing about the remote is it also controls balance, in
addition to volume and mute. The build quality is high
and this preamp competes with much more expensive gear. I
still can't find the weaknesses of this preamp - it has
uncovered the weaker links in the chain! If you can find
a better solid state remote controlled preamp for less money, buy it!

Strengths:
Build quality, Neutral, good looks, outstanding remote

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Threshold Fet 10e, Bryston BP-20, Audire Legato

Summary:
This is a truly good pre. I have listened to many and I beleive this one ranks very highly in terms of being very neutral. This Pre works in perfect harmony with my Bryston amp. I really can't say it adds anything significant to the signal but the Bryston is a bit more smooth. The characteristic 'snap and slam' is still very much preserved but any semblance of grain is gone. I feel this is a good companion to the Bryston because of the similar sonic signature between the aragon 8000BB and the 3B/4B, and since I am sure aragon designed the 28k to have a synergy with their amps, I figure (rightfully so) that the two would meld nicely.

If anyone has any ideas on inteconnects please let me know, still haven't solved that puzzle yet.

Strengths:
solid build, extremely neutral, quiet

Weaknesses:
none that I can detect

Similar Products Used:
KRC3, Bryston BP20/25

Summary:
Have had this preamp for awhile(~ 2 years). Numerous line level inputs. Built like a Sherman tank.(Build quality is excellent). This is by far the quietest remote controlled preamp I have heard including an auditioned Meridian. Remote volume and Balance puts you right in the sweet spot without moving. Looks good and feels good. Good tactile feedback from the knobs and the volume control. Feels like an expensive piece of equipment and sounds like it too. If I find a way to blow this tank up I will definetly purchase another. BTW - I frequently listen to what's out there so it's not like I just sit back in my own little world an am naware of other available equipment. If you are in the market for a preamp give this one a listen.