As above

Would have like the digital display as part of unit as there is a lot of real estate available inside the unit.

Very neutral sounding pre-amp. Does what is expected very well. Like the balanced inputs and outputs. Very good image and palpability. Nothing to fault.

Similar Products Used:

Classe Cap 150, Linn Wakonda, Linn Pretek, Naim 32.5

Makes beautiful music

None

The Muse 3 is one great and supurbebly built pre-amp, period
Read my Muse 160 amp review for electronics etc. Find a dealer and let your ears judge, both pieces are very hard to find used. Enjoy the music, afrer 30 years I am

Similar Products Used:

VTL, AR, Krell, Classe

transparency, neutrality, revealing

nothing significant

the preamp is a problematic link in the audio chain. this preamplifier is very satisfying, has a balanced sound (not too bright, not too polite). very neutral. a factory option exists to upgrade the power supply, which may better the noise floor. i use it to control an old marantz model 8 (35-watt tube amp) and a conrad-johnson mf 2200, and it does fine with both, which in my experience is unusual (i would normally not expect to like the sound of solid driving tube). it's almost like a passive in its neutrality, although it is dynamic and in this not like a passive at all. the remote works well but i wish it had a volume indicator of some kind (i believe a digital read was an option). overall, it is an excellent preamp in my opinion.

my main system: pioneer dvd player as transport; msb 192hz o.s. converter, w/ power supply; xlo digital cable; muse model 3 preamp; linn axis t.t.; hovland interconnects; c-j mf 2200 power amp; straightwire rhapsody speaker cable; velodyne sub; dynaudio contour 1.3 speakers, sand-filled sanus foundations stands, standesign penta rack.

Similar Products Used:

audible illusions mod 3, b&k

I recently bought a Muse Model Three preamp. I have been a happy owner of a Meitner Pa6i preamp (circa 1990) for a long time. I apologize for comparing the two. It is not to condemn the Meitner by any means. It is a solid piece of equipment which had stayed in my system through several digital, speaker, and power amp changes. I had listened to several other pre's that did not compare with the Meitner as far as imaging and neutrality. This changed when I plugged in the Muse. First off the Muse is built like a tank. It has a pleasantly autere silver front panel. It has five in's , two of which are balanced. You may connent to your power amp via RCA or balanced connects. The Muse made an immediate impression. The sounstage came to life. The breadth of the soundstage ( if you can quantify this) probably increased 25%. The imaging remained pinpoint. The Model Three is incredibly responsive to subtle timbre and tonal fluctuations. The piano in Ani Difranco's you had time is incredibly transparent, you hear all her breathing. The guitar later in the song images exactly where it should be (just slightly to the left of her voice). In Milla Jovovich's The Divine Comedy, the album came to life as it has not before (at least in my systems). Alison Moyet is haunting in Midnight. Fiona Apple's vocals in Sullen Girl are hard to distinguish from her live performance I attended last spring. The percussion in Dave Matthew's Crush is hair raising. As you can tell I like this piece. I listen primarily to acoustic modern genre of music and to be honest don't listen too much classical, or other demanding low end music, so I cannot comment on its bass reproduction. i have limited bass speakers, but he mids and highs of this pre are impressive. In addition, I had a few questions to ask the guys at Muse prior to purchasing a used piece. i was connected directly to Kevin Halverson, the designer of the product. He was pleasant, honest, and exteremly knowlegeable. I felt as if I was buying a product from a music lover who really card for his product, not an audio supergiant. I highly recommend this piece. I give this piece 5 stars. There may be, and I am sure there is better out there, but I have not heard it yet.
My system is as follows:

CAL Icon Mk II CD
Muse Model 3 preamp
Forte Model 5 power amp
B&W 805s
AQ ruby interconnects
Museatex 25 strand speaker cable

tremendous soundstaging,transparent,balanced I/O's and input sensitivity adjustment for all inputs.

still looking

This preamp is what the highend is all about a huge soundstage, excellent resolution, transparent and emotionally involving musical presentation. Every change that you make whether a cable swap or tweak is laid bare thru this preamp.I found myself pulling out old cd's to hear what I was missing in my old set up. The soundstage not only has width, but also heighth and depth to the point you feel you are part of the original performance. I am in the process of upgrading my patch cords and speaker cables, I heard this with budget cables so I am looking forward to getting my hands on my new interconnects and speaker cables(Silver Audio 4.5's and Audioquest Argent biwire!) If you are in the market for an active preamp check this baby out it even comes with an excellent remote.

My equipment:
Muse Model Three
McCormack DNA 0.5
Audio Alchemy 2.0 DTI and DDE 3.0
Marantz CD63
B&W CDM-1 passively bi-amped with sub
M&K MX-100
MIT T3 digital cable
AudioQuest Quartz x3
Harmonic Technology Truthlink- (excellent for the money)
Audioquest type 4
Black Diamond Racing Cones #3&4 under everything except speakers, tweak for the new mellenium! cheers

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Conrad Johnson

Very smooth, open, sound. Great tight bass, smooth highs, great soundstage, very solid built, lots of cool features! One of the few hi-fi amps that can work in a home-theater setup. And it has a remote! :-)

Not enough inputs and outputs. Only comes with one set of balanced and RCA outs. Impossible to bi-amp unless you have somebody like Kimber custom make you a y-adapter.

I would definitely recommend buying this preamp if you can find it used. I think it's a great preamp even for its full retail price $1,995 but it's a steal at $775.

Similar Products Used:

B&K MC101