Price Paid:  $2000.00 from Audionote

Summary:
A follow up on the previous review .. Taking my words back about bass limitations.. Upgraded this baby w/ Mullard E88CC NOS in the line stage and replaced the ML output - firstly w/ AMC 2100e (re-capped) and now w/ Leak ST60 (re-tubed for now ;-)) .. Musical Fidelity as source .. Shear majic !

Strengths:
Soundstage, mids, highs, instrument placement & focus

Weaknesses:
Cannot think of anything worth mentioning

Similar Products Used:
Threshold, Rotel

Summary:
Follow up:

This is a quick follow up, but things have happend. The Quad 99 is very, very sensitive to placement (the copland is not), and after some adjustments and new vibration absorbers, I really find the Quad99 to be the best allaround choice (im relieved, puh). Lacking is soundstage? Not anymore! Get up and go? Very much! The Copland is a little faster and has a bigger soundstage but it lacks in detail and neutrality compared to the Quad99, especially in the high and low range.

I still rate the Copland as one of the best at the price. Its pretty much a matter of taste.

Copland is great, to bad you cant buy them new anymore (ops, did I say to much). Yes its true. The Designer and the factory dont agree, so Copland is down for now and perhaps for good. Its a loss...

Summary:
This is the best pre amp I've ever heard. I used to own one, but it broke down because of a fire we had some months ago! Well, I miss it. This is a good preamp and it works fine with solid state pwr amps too. Im using The new Quad pre now and its pretty good, but its lacking a bit in "get up and go" and soundstage. The copland is better. Buy it! I give it four stars because there are probobly better pre amps to but, but at the price, its a dream.

Systems tested with 301 mkII (:

1
cd: Denon dcd-1015
cd: Copland Cda 266
Spk: audio pro a4.14 zero "activ spk"
Cbl: Supra cables

2
cd: Copland Cda 266
Pwr: Quad 99
Spk: Dynaudio contour 1.3se

Weaknesses:
?

Similar Products Used:
Quad 77 - 99, Audio Analouge, linn, naim

Summary:
I bought this used (6 months old) preamp from a dealer in Sweden. Actually, this is the first audio equipment I´ve been happy with for more than 2 years. It still gives me that joyfull feeling every time I listen to music. And my impression is that it will last for eternity. Really heavy duty build!

There is not a single weakness I can point out as a disturbing one. My music taste covers almost everything from classical to rock´n roll. This Copland CTA301mkII can handle it all. You´ll never get tired! And never bored either!

Well, it´s not really cheap, but in my oppinion worth every penny, and a good investment. (around 1.500,- usd. in Sweden)

Other equipment used:
CD-player: Sony CDP XA-30 ES
Tube power amp: Edison 60
DIY speakers with Accuton 5" ceramic drivers and Raven ribbons.
Subwoofer with Scanspeak 10" drivers.

Best regards,
Ingmar Benjaminsson

Strengths:
Rich and clear soundstage. Very sweet mids and treble. Clean bass. Suits all kinds of music. Great build and overall quality impression. Good looking!

Weaknesses:
I little lack of control in sub bass area? No remote control (available on new models)

Similar Products Used:
Quad 34, Tandberg 38A, Sentec SC-9

Price Paid:  $1600.00 from Audiotronics

Summary:
What an improvement on the Thershold, which i view highly! New sounds, depth of soundstage, the sweet highs, did not have much time to listen until now. Tried some Roger Hodgson, Coldplay, Bob James on it - magic ! Bass is gone though - compared to the Threshold .. Config : Rotel RCD 991, Mark Levinson 27.5, Sonus Faber Concerto (biwired), top of the range IXOS - interconnects, speaker.

Strengths:
Very detailed preamp, with a beautiful 3D, transperant soundstage, sweet highs

Weaknesses:
Lacking in the bass. Controls look solid, but feel flimsy, easy to beak

Similar Products Used:
Threshold Fet2