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Review 1 of 2
Price Paid:
$0.00
from Aspen Audio Summary:
I just wanted to add my kudos for the Granite Audio Aspen 825 tube preamp/headphone amp. I replaced a Dared tube preamp with the 825. I was indeed pleasantly suprised at the very wide sound stage, holographic imaging and the sometimes almost startling "the performers are in the room with you" sense of musical realism offered by the 825. The headphone portion of the preamp also sounds great, but I don't own super-high quality headphones, so I honestly can't give in an-depth review of that portion of the piece.
The only two minor quibles with the 825 are some tube hiss noticible when your audio system is idling (typical of most tube preamps in this price range), and a significant pop if you don't turn off your power amp before you turn off the preamp, again typical of tube preamps of this class. No big deal on either count, really.
To put it simply, the 825 preamp is cabable of transporting you through time and space to where the music lives, and that my friends is what this great hobby of ours is all about. This preamp has soul, and at the price I paid I can't give it much higher praise than that. Strengths:
Wide sound stage.
Holographic imaging.
Good frequency control from top to bottom.
Works very well with bright sounding components. Weaknesses:
Some tube noise when idling.
Remember to turn off power amp before turning off preamp. Similar Products Used:
Dared tube preamp
Marsh P2000T
NAD C162
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