There used to be a lot of very good (all were 4 or 5 star) reviews here - Audio Review must have lost them when they moved servers. Anyway, I am a very satisfied owner of a SF Line-1. It is a beautifully made piece of equipment with enough features to satisfy nearly anyone, yet it gives up nothing sonically to other pre-amps in its price class. The remote is awesome, the volume control is smooth as silk, and it has a lot of inputs/outputs.
As far as the design goes, I have only one minor quibble - I wish SF had labeled the input selectors more conventionally (Tape, Tuner, Aux, CD, etc) instead of SE1, SE2, BAL1 (Single Ended, Balanced). That is the end of my complaints about the Line-1.

I wish I could compare/contrast its sound to other pre-amps, but I make no claim as to my audio reviewing skills. However, I will say that buying this pre-amp was the single greatest sonic improvement I have made to my system - EVERYTHING improved. As far as I am concerned, this unit is a keeper - I might replace my amp or CD-player soon, but I will own this pre-amp for many, many years. I now understand what people mean when they talk about "listener fatigue", 'cause I ain't got none no more. Tube vs. transistor arguments aside, you would be well advised to check out the Line-1 if you are shopping for a pre-map in this price range.


The Line-1 features the following (info from SF's Web site):

fully differential cross-coupled circuitry, first pioneered in the SFL-2

no output coupling caps - DC Coupled Output Stage with Servo Bias

all balanced design from input to output

Gain: 12dB single ended - 18 dB balanced

2 fully balanced inputs

4 single-ended inputs

2 single-ended outputs

2 fully balanced outputs

1 buffered tape loop (s/e input and output, using Burr-Brown OPA2604 op amps)

1 surround sound processing loop (s/e input) with volume control bypass

fully buffered headphone output (using Burr-Brown OPA2604 op amps) featuring the "HEADROOM" headphone processing circuity

full function remote control (volume, balance, mute, input, phase, mode,
display, tape, ssp, standby)housed in a "unique" solid aluminum housing

volume control resolution 191 steps of 0.5dB (95.5dB range)

full dual mono digital display of ALL features/settings

refined industrial design, improved ergonomics

improved chassis dampening through the use of Soundcoat and E.A.R compliant feet

14 awg CRS (plated) chassis fabrication

CMRR better than 60dB

THD (distortion) < 0.01%

STANDBY feature

SMOBC construction of 3 1/2 oz. copper printed circuit boards

rear panel "IR jack" and "trigger" for custom-install/home theatre installations

single chassis with integral power supply

6 tubes in cross-coupled balanced circuit

15 regulated power supply stages

dual master/slave regulator (discrete design) in critical high voltage (B+) supply for superior performance

stereo toroidal power transformer for low accoustic and electrical noise (potted and encapsulated)

weight: aprox. 24lbs. (11Kg) Net unpacked

In my system:
Theta Data Basic II
Adcom GDA 600
Sonic Frontiers Line I
Sunfire Amplifier
Martin Logan Sequel I's
Sunfire Subwoofer Mk. II
Cables: various

it (replaces my Counterpoint SA-1) and is one of the most musically accurate and full functioning preamps I have ever heard! I mean what can you say about a piece of equipment that does exactly what it is supposed to: get out of the way of the material played through it?

In the realm of reproduction and its associated components (octave to octave balance, soundstaging, dynamics, imaging, resolution, drive, extension, attack, decay, harmonics, air, etc.) the Line I is one of the most natural components I have experienced. It sounds neither lean nor rich, transitory or tubey. But it DOES have the authority and extension of transistors and the wonderful harmonics, soundstaging, and imaging qualities associated with tubes. Given the limitations of my modest system notwithstanding, everything I play through this piece is instantly recognizable as right.

And it is said that when the tubes are changed to Amperex 7308's (Upscale Audio is a good source for tubes), it even betters the AL Modulus III! On top of that, the Line I has a MUCH better user interface and remote control to boot, and can directly connect with your HT equipment! This is not to knock the AL (I almost bought one) as it is a standard for what it does. But as my system is in a final state of change, I needed something that sounded just as good (which is to say world-class) for the foreseeable future, with better user-access of its facilities. Given that, the Line I has a VERY strong following of its admirers!

Combine excellent sonics with a well executed user interface and remote control, and you've got something that competes with (and mostly beats) ANYTHING out there at ANY price! So, do you want transparency AND a great user interface AND excellent SF parts and build quality; AND not want to pay for a top-of-the-line Krell, Conrad Johnson, or the like? The Line I stands heads above a field of competent and costlier competitors; and is the heartfelt/logical successor to those who no longer need to play "the equipment of the month club".

Smooth, clean, clear sound. Works great with my ARC solid state amplifier. Impressive construction quality.

I recently had the opportunity to extensively audition the Sonic Frontiers Line 1. The upside of this unit are its superb ergonomics, impressive frequency extension at both ends of the spectrum, and the wonderful headphone amp (with a built-in "Headroom" processor). The downside is the unit's clinical, largely unmusical (at least to my ears) presentation. The overall sound of the unit was at the same time detailed and sonically threadbare. Others might describe the sound as "accurate," but to my ears it was overly dry and undernourished through the middle -- a characteristic that apparently can be improved through the substitution of NOS Amperex 6922s or perhaps (my guess, as I have had good experience with these in another tube unit) Tesla 6922s. From what I am told by a dealer friend, the characteristic dryness I am describing is less prevalent in the Line 2 (which uses ostentially the same components as the Line 1, but features a more spacious parts layout, and an external power supply) and all-but-disappears through in the Line 3 (which is a totally different design).
I had a perfectly-operating preowned unit in my setup that (Apogee Duetta Sigs, Cal Audio Alpha/Delta, Conrad Johnson MF-200), had I decided to keep it, I would have paid approximately 50% of the $2,500 list. But, as good the headphone amp was, and as enjoyable as the puck-shaped remote control is, I could not justify keeping the unit.

Not too tubey in euphonics and warmth, deeeeeep tight bass, great overall punch and slam, great timing

Not too tubey in euphonics and warmth, a little lean, reliability issues

Switching over from a VTL 2.5 mated to a Plinius SA100MKIII (single-ended config) and NHT 3.3s, the overly sweet, slow and lush presentation of jazz, fusion, vocals and light classical fare gave way to a leaner, meaner sound.

Bass extension noticeably improved, but more importantly, an increased tightness and slam lent so much more realism to snare drums, kick drums, and lower midrange elements. Over in the midrange, vocals now appear further back in the deep soundstage, and some of the lushness I was used to is replaced by slightly improved clarity and immediacy.

In the HF, the sweetness of tubes remains, but is perhaps slightly more extended and neutral than with my VTL. Suspect the overall sound of the VTL had been influenced by impedance matching with the Plinius, so it may sound better on a tube power amp or another solid state design. In concurrence with the others here, I find the preamp very neutral, but a little lean. Then again, careful choice of cabling and matching with other components can nullify this; as well, some listeners may like a leaner tonal balance over too much warmth.

Reliability: The unit broke down on me once -- it went into a coma upon power on and refused to come out of "mute" phase. Cost me a bomb to repair, and even then, was warned that the logic circuitry is the archilles heel of this overly intelligent preamp.

It will be worthwhile exploring other tubes when the original sovteks fly south, but the prohibitive cost of changing 6 tubes with NOS designs, and the possibility of losing the much-prized bass tightness and slam for the sake of slightly better midrange sweetness and warmth leave me hesitant.

Similar Products Used:

VTL 2.5, McCormack Line Drive

Quite pleased with this preamp. Ditto reviews below. Upgraded with NOS tubes from Kevin at Upscale Audio. System includes Plinius SA-100 Mk III and Waveform Mach Solo's by John Otvos of Canada.

Not much more to say that has not already been said by other reviewers of the SF Line 1 except that it is a great match for those of you wanting a tube preamp that doesn't sound too tubey (if I can use that term). Great match to solid state amp. Very transparent and open sound stage. I can run my amp to my CD in fully balanced mode (as the CD has a digital volume control), but the preamp adds spaciousness and detail with no coloration I can detect. The remote is awesome and beautifully built (as is the preamp) in the SF tradition. I have the Line 1 set up with a Bryston 4B-ST amp and a fully balanced CAL CL-15. Paradigm Studio 100 speakers. An Adcom AC 555 II Line Enhancer powers the shop. Balanced Cardas Cross interconnects and Kimber 8TC wire. Black diamond racing cones under CD and other cones (metal) and isolation feet(NAVCOM) under the preamp. The overall sound image in my system is worderfully detailed, no too harsh, deep sound stage, spacious, accurate (e.g., great deep solid controlled bass) and and simply musical and nice to listen to. I am very happy with my purchase. Five stars up, way up ! The Line 1 is a great deal for Americans right now (approx $3300 Cdn. sans 15% tax). Lets hear it for North American audio!

Indusrtrial design. Midrange liquidity.

Lack of Bass information, smearing of transient information, un-engaging presentation.

Very disappointing. Did not at all complement my system:B&W N804, McIntosh MC-162, Rotel RCD-971, Analysis Plus Oval 9 and Analysis Plus Copper Oval-In(XLR-pre to power; RCA-cd to pre). I lost the bass almost entirely, the highs were rather narrow sounding and the midrange was good, but only in comparison. The solidity and control the MAC had on the B&Ws went away when I substituted this for the PRE. I let it warm up for three days before listening to it and I knew immediately it wasn't right for this system.
Buy used or try before you buy.

Similar Products Used:

Proceed PRE

detailed mids and higs,deep strong bass,clairity

almost none

almost perfect.in his price range ihavent seen any pre even close.good built quality.i purchased second hand at 2000$.a few high price for this second hand product but its well worth it.

Similar Products Used:

krell, levinson,pv10a,pv 12,ls15,ls2,ls3

Versatility, build quality, sound overall

The power cord chokes off the bass

When I first installed the replacement to this preamp I found that the bass was quite weak. Then I put in Joule cord, which is much heavier and I got wonderfully full and tight bass.

I suspect if you replace the tizzy Sovtek tubes with NOS tubes and the power cord with say a SR AC Master Coupler then you can go chasing after the Line 2's, much to the dismay of the SF dealers I suspect.

Very impressive build quality, wonderful volume control.

Similar Products Used:

none comparable, move up to a Joule