“Since the advent of the CD, listeners have been deprived of the full experience of listening.” - Neil Young PonoPlayers...
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Preamplifiers
Blue Circle Audio BC307 Preamplifier
Marc Mickelson has posted a review of the Blue Circle Audio BC307 preamplifier ($111,950) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “While choice can be a dual-edged sword, there’s no denying that the Blue Circle BC307 represents a stark alternative to every preamp on the market today — and probably tomorrow as well. Whether having...
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NAD Master Series M12 Preamplfier-DAC and M22 Stereo Amplifier
Mark Gusew has posted a review of the NAD Master Series M12 preamplifier-DAC ($6999) and M22 stereo amplifier ($5499) at StereoNet. His conclusions: “The transparency, openness and sheer power of the combination is stunning. With well recorded music, the dynamics, soundstage and lack of coloration of the NAD combination makes a very good play...
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JE Audio Reference 1 Preamplifier
Doug Schneider has posted a review of the JE Audio Reference 1 preamplifier ($9000) at SoundStage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “But if what you’re looking for, first and foremost, is great sound — specifically, great tube sound — give JE Audio’s Reference 1 a serious audition. It’s an incredibly good preamplifier for a reasonable price....
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Cary Audio DAC-200ts Stereo DAC with Preamplifier
Jeff Poth has posted a review of the Cary Audio DAC-200ts stereo DAC with preamplifier ($3995) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Would hang on to the Cary Audio DAC-200ts DAC within my audio system if it was possible. The sonics are superb plus I love the sample rate conversion and tube output options....
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Robert Koda K-10 Preamplifier
Jeff Dorgay has posted a review of the Robert Koda K-10 preamplifier ($) at TONEAudio. His conclusions: “This one is a bit off the beaten path, but if you are looking for the ultimate audio Zen experience, in a preamplifier that makes a major statement by not making a statement, this is your final...
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Aries Cerat Incito Stereo Preamplifier
Tom Lyle has posted a review of the Aries Cerat Incito stereo preamplifier ($12,000) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “Sonically, I can’t think of any aspect of the sound quality of the Aries Cerat Incito that I don’t like. Yet I have difficulty describing the “sound” of the Incito. It is transparent, yet...
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iFi Audio Retro Music System
Chris Martens has posted a review of the iFi Audio Retro music system (£1650) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The more I used the Retro system, the better I liked it. In small-to-mid-size rooms it produced a pure, beautifully focussed, and intensely three-dimensional sound that would do many a costly and complex high-end system proud....
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Margules Audio SF220.15 20th Anniversary Preamplifier
Jack Roberts has posted a review of the Margules Audio SF220.15 20th Anniversary preamplifier ($4599) at Dagogo. His conclusions: “I would be remiss if I didn’t reiterate about the rich and musical harmonics this preamp allows me to hear. There is just something in the reproduction of the harmonic structure of the music that...
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Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 Passive Preamplifier
Jason Kennedy has posted a review of the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 passive preamplifier (£6120) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “As you might surmise I’m rather impressed with the Music First Baby Reference V2, it’s one of those products that I dare not use too much because it’ll make living without it unbearable....
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Audiopax Maggiore L50 Preamplifier and M50 Power Amplifier
Srajan Ebaen has posted a review of the Audiopax Maggiore L50 preamplifier (€18’000) and M50 power amplifier (€31’000/pair) at 6moons. His conclusions: “The L50 is a text-book moving target. Whatever I write about it is a mere freeze frame of many possible others. Change the TimbreLock and with it your opinion. If it operated...
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NAD C 510 Direct Digital Preamplifier-DAC
Thom Moon has posted a review of the NAD C 510 Direct Digital preamplifier-DAC ($1299) at SoundStage! Access. His conclusions: “Bottom line: If you’ve moved to an all-digital system or are contemplating doing so, you owe it to yourself to listen to a C 510. It’s an exceptional achievement, especially considering its reasonable price.”...
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Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamplifier
Erich Wetzel has posted a review of the Rogue Audio RP-5 preamplifier ($3500) at SoundStage! Ultra. His conclusions: “From the evidence presented to me by this model, the folks at Rogue Audio like their equipment to sound great, look attractive, and feel satisfying to the touch. The RP-5 is a preamp that, I, too,...
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Pass Labs Xs Preamplifier
Jack Roberts has posted a review of the Pass Labs Xs preamplifier ($38,000) at Dagogo. His conclusions: “I think it is safe to say that in the creation of the Xs Preamp, Wayne Colburn and his team at Pass Labs has set a new standard for transistor preamps and in most ways for all...
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Audio Tekne TFM 2000 Preamplifier and TEA 2000 Power Amplifier
Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Audio Tekne TFM 2000 preamplifier (€20,000) and TEA 2000 (€20,000) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “The short version of the summary could go like that: this is a system for a music lover, for someone who expects a performance rich with emotions, who appreciates firstly substance...
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Elliott Studio Arts Model 66-001p Preamplifier
Greg Voth has posted a review of the Elliott Studio Arts Model 66-001p preamplifier ($3990) at Stereo Times. His conclusions: “There’s much to love about music played thru the Elliott Studio Arts Series Sixty-Six Model 66-001p stereo preamp. It’s quite transparent and neutral, something that can’t be said about my Conrad Johnson PV-5 preamp....
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AVM Evolution SD 5.2 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
Alan Sircom has posted a review of the AVM Evolution SD 5.2 streaming DAC-preamplifier (£5100) at Hi-Fi+. His conclusions: “The AVM Evolution SD 5.2 is the perfect example of audio done right for 2015. It’s a fine replacement to about three or four separate devices in one simple box. It’s a joy to use,...
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Ayre K-5xe MP Preamplifier
Jerry Seigel has posted a review of the Ayre K-5xe MP preamplifier ($3500) at 10 Audio. His conclusions: “I have high expectations and requirements for any preamplifier to survive listening to for more than a few hours. To paraphrase the expression “time is money”: when listening to music, time is pleasure. I thoroughly dislike...
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Constellation Audio Inspiration 1.0 Preamplifier and Stereo Amplifier
José Victor Henriques has posted a review of the Constellation Audio Inspiration 1.0 preamplifier (£10,000) ans stereo amplifier (£10,000) at Hi-Fi News and Record Review. His conclusions: “Constellation’s Inspiration Series is aptly named for the Preamp and Stereo 1.0 power amp combination reproduces music with a freedom, neutrality and conviction that belies even this...
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Valve Amplification Company Signature SE Preamplifier
Robert J. Reina has posted a review of the Valve Amplification Company Signature SE preamplifier ($19,500; $26,000 with optional phono stage) at Stereophile. His conclusions: “The Valve Amplification Company’s Signature SE preamplifier is the most significant audio product I’ve ever hooked up to my reference system. It was flawless. Overall, based on my aural...
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NAD C 510 Direct Digital Preamplifier-DAC
Michael Lavorgna has posted a review of the NAD C 510 Direct Digital preamplifier-DAC ($1299) at AudioStream. His conclusions: “Listening to and living with the NAD proved to be musically satisfying and the few shortcomings I heard mainly dissolved over time. Of greater importance than what the C 510 does not do is what...
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Ruark Audio R2 MkIII Compact Networked Audio System
Stephen Dawson has posted a review of the Ruark Audio R2 MkIII compact networked audio system ($799) at AVHub. His conclusions: “While we would like to see Ruark set up the headphone output to deliver better quality, as a tabletop audio system the Ruark Audio R2 provides truly excellent access to a wide range...
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Abyssound ASP-1000 Preamplifier and ASX-1000 Power Amplifier
Marcin Olszewski has posted a review of the Abyssound ASP-1000 preamplifier (~€4900) and ASX-1000 power amplifier (~€7500) at Sound Rebels. His conclusions: “After eliminating the duo from the sound path everything became less present, less obvious, less palpable. The organic musicality and natural lack of constraints in terms of micro and macro dynamics are...
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Teddy Pardo PR1 Preamplifier and MB100 Monoblock Power Amplifier
Paul Candy has posted a review of the Teddy Pardo PR1 preamplifier ($1749) and MB100 monoblock power amplifiers ($2598/pair) at 6moons. His conclusions: “he PRE1/MB100 totally belied their appearance, size, price and power rating and behaved as I would expect from significantly costlier separates. These boxes from Israel ranked in many ways amongst the...
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Audio Research Reference 10 Preamplifier
Peter Roth has posted a review of the Audio Research Reference 10 preamplifier ($30,000) at SoundStage! Ultra. His conclusions: “To me, the result is clear: The ARC Reference 10 is one of the most thrilling, intoxicating, musically engrossing preamplifiers ever made. Congratulations to Audio Research Corporation for their aspirations and their execution. Kudos, too,...
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Clones Audio API Preamplifier and 55PM Monoblock Amplifiers
Greg Voth has posted a review of the Clones Audio API preamplifier ($775) and 55PM monoblock amplifiers ($1400/pair) at Stereo Time. His conclusions: “If in the market for affordable, well-built separates, the Clones Audio components are a great place to start. Your search might just end there.” You can read the full review here.
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