Price Paid:  $800.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
I must say that I am very pleased with this preamp. It gives music a presence that makes it seem alive. The soundstage is very big and deep with 3 dimensional imaging. A number of CD's in my collection I could not listen to and was about to throw away because they had too much glare and were too harsh. Now I am going to keep them and they all sound much better. There is a lot of detail. This detail is in all frequency ranges - high as well as low. You also get the sence of many individual instruments playing. You can actually pick out the instruments as they play. I actually was so pleased with what I heard that I must confess that I decided to split my system into a music and a home theater system and went out and bought VTL Tiny Triodes(2001) to pair with it. I really recommend this preamp if you want very high quality sound !!!!

Strengths:
Large soundstage. Very natural sound. Gives the music a presence that was not there before. Great detail with out being harsh. Lots of bass.

Weaknesses:
None that I can think of.

Similar Products Used:
VTL2.5 ;Audio Research SP-6,SP-8;MapleTree Octal 6

Price Paid:  $619.00 from Toys-in-The-Attic

Summary:
I purchased used for $619. My first foray into Tube gear. I was amazed. A notable difference in lows & sound stage. It sound more "natural" Voices sound like voices, instruments like instuments. I use a simple Sony JukeBox for CD's and use an Old JBL Metregon for speakers alternating with a newer set of Platium Audio Speakers. Amp is Adcom 555.

Strengths:
Warmth, better 'sound stage', better, more natural lows. Simple to set up.

Weaknesses:
It would be nice to have better lighting on the knobs/dials, they are a little hard to read in low light situations. Mine is installed in a closet, I had to install a small light to see what I was doing.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom products, Rotel Products.

Price Paid:  $700.00 from toys from the attic

Summary:
The baby brother tho the 3a. A wonderful sounding amp and all i can say is to hear one if you come across on it is amazing

Strengths:
sound very open and smooth just a wonderful sound

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
One of the best preamp I have ever used And I used many. Smooth and detailed. Caution very particular of tubes used I bought replacment sovtecks (junk noisy ) go to tubeworld.com he will take care of you I bought some amprex a little pricy but worth every penny about 140$ a pair it open this preamp to a new level and music comes out of blackness. awsome

Strengths:
Build and smooth

Summary:
I had all of my peices in place good amp,cd player and speakers only thing missing was a preamp and boy did I hit the jackpot. The L1 is the most beautiful sounding preamp I ever used and I tried many. If you can find one of these and test it DO SO you wont be dissapointed.please try to use the nos type tubes in the unit. If you put junk tubes in the preamp does't like it. one place is upscale audio in CA. The number is (909)931-9686.They will set you up.

Strengths:
very very smooth build is incredible out board power supply a steal for the quality you receive.

Weaknesses:
none that I could find

Similar Products Used:
forte44,ps audio,quicksilver(blewup after 3 months)