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Review 3 of 6 Summary:
I use this preamplifier in conjuction with Perreaux's 350 stereo power amplifier. Based soley on it's own merits, I have to rate this Perreaux SM6 preamplifier as a very good value overall. This unit is built like a battleship and sounds as smooth as velvet. There is an "ease of listening" quality that just lets the music flow (more like envelope you) without ever calling attention to itself. It just moves out of the way. The SM6 has a very open sound stage and provides an extremely natural presentation of the soundscape. (I listen 3-D, not front to back and side to side and I don't believe in listening in only the "sweet spot".) You never get the feeling that this is solid state sound or the traditional euphonic sound that most tube units seem to "gush" with. I had previously used a top flight Parasound preamplifier that I thought gave me all of the music I could perceive, but this Perreaux SM6 gives you so much more and it is so smooooooth, not laid back or unexciting, more like when first lying in the middle of cool mountain stream on a hot summer day with the cool water just washing over you...inviting, relaxing, ...you just don't want to get up and leave. Quite seductive and naturally expressive. No listening fatigue. I use this preamp in conjuction with the Perreaux 350 Stereo Power Amplifier along with the Monitor Audio Premium Gold Series Tower 4 monitors that are extremely fast and coherent and which used to be a bit weak in the lower bass before the 350 got ahold of them. These amps seem utterly limitless in their ability to produce ultimate power. They will let you know with total clarity why New Zealand is nuke-free with their ability to swing huge amounts of power as fast and effortlessly as a white-hot knife would slice through warm butter. Jokingly, I wonder if you could power a small city with this amp and it is just as easy to listen to as the SM6. An utterly effortless quality to the sound. This combination of components can transport you to Nirvana or scare the hell out of you with its ability to express ultimate power and all seemingly in the same "breath". My speakers are far more listenable than they have ever been with this combination of components. The only caveat is that I now realize just how crappy my cd player sounds. Another excuse to upgrage...I love it! Strengths:
An easy, laid back listening quality. Extrememly well balanced top to bottom. Smoooooth Sound. Quite seductive. Weaknesses:
Ruthlessly revealing, especially with planer or electrostatics. Just the slightest hint of mid bloom and the "Classic" facia does take getting used to, but it does grow on you. Similar Products Used:
I'm not a name dropper. Most very high quality audio manufacturers have had their "signature" sound described ad infinitum, all of which is a totally subjective experience anyway. When you buy at this price and quality level it is all a matter of your own ears, listening room and what you want to (or think you should) hear.
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