Stereophile has again posted a link to J. Gordon Holt’s comprehensive audio glossary containing over 300 terms used by audio reviewers (and audiophiles) to...
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Preamplifiers
Pass Labs XP-25 Phono Preamplifier
Anthony H. Cordesman has posted a review of the Pass Labs XP-25 phono preamplifier ($10,600) at AVGuide. His conclusions: What really captured my attention, however, was the combination of natural midrange timbre and energy and soundstage and low-level detail. Again, the changes were slight and much depended on record quality and the cartridge. Nevertheless,...
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Valvet P2c Preamplifier and A3.5 Monoblocks
Jason Kennedy has posted a review of the Review: Valvet P2c preamplifier (£3790) and A3.5 monblocks (£3750/pair) at AVGuide. His conclusions: The Valvet is usefully quiet, presumably this is down to the separation of the power supply from the signal electronics in the preamp but it certainly makes it easier to hear into recordings....
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Gamut D3i Preamplifier and D200i Power Amplifier
Jörg Dames has posted areview of the Gamut D3i preamplifier (€5898) and D200i power amplifier (€9098) at 6moons. His conclusions: Some amplification components resolve higher and are rhythmically more pronounced. Others create more sparks and crispness in the treble. Whether such amplifiers will seem more involving or musically less cultivated and long-term happy is...
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Graham Slee Revelation Phono Stage
Geoff Husband has posted a review of the Graham Slee Revelation phono stage ($£700) at TNT Audio. His conclusions: 'Revelation' is a rather presumptive name for a product, but in this case it might even be merited , with many recordings the result is simply 'ear opening'. The original multi-curve stage from Graham was...
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Reviews: Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier MX-R Monoblocks
has posted a review of the Ayre Acoustics KX-R preamplifier ($18,500) and MX-R monoblock amplifiers ($18,500/pair) at UltraAudio. His conclusions: The MX-R monoblock amplifiers signified the dawning of a new era at Ayre. With their prodigious power capabilities, they can drive the difficult loads of low-sensitivity speakers with aplomb. Most important, however, they deliver...
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Pass Laboratories XP-15 Phono Preamplifier
Tom Lyle has posted a review of the Pass Laboratories XP-15 phono preamplifier ($3800) at Superior Audio. His conclusions: I can't remember the last time I wrote a review with no negative comments regarding the performance of a piece of equipment being scrutinized — there is always a nit to pick or two, but...
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Einstein The Tube Mk. 2 Preamplifier
Wayne Donnelly has posted a review of theEinstein The Tube Mk. 2 preamplifier ($18,400) at Superior Audio. His conclusions: I really wish this thing didn't cost so much. It's not that I begrudge the Einstein folks their money; it's just that $18,400 is a pretty tough nut for most listeners, including myself, to crack....
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Coincident Statement Preamplifier
Rick Becker has posted a review of the Coincident Statement linestage preamplifier ($4995) at Superior Audio. Hisconclusions: When I first heard the Statement Line Stage I knew it was a very special piece. But it took some playing and tweaking to learn how good it really is. You can't build a world class system...
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Holm Acoustics DSPre1 Digital Preamp/Room Correction
Robert E. Greene has posted a review of the Holm Acoustics DSPre1 digital preamplifier and room/speaker correction device ($8500). His conclusions: This model is of course not quite total—other things have acoustic effects, and these effects can be important, especially in a live room. Power response and radiation pattern do count, and in a...
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ATC CA2/P1 Preamplifier/Power Amplifier
Jason Kennedy of Hi-Fi+ has posted a review of the ATC CA2/P1 preamplifier (£1,058) and power amplifier (£1,566) at AVGuide. His conclusions: Using both CA2 and P1 together through the 802Ds provided a full scale, full power experience that brings dynamic recordings to life. Muddy Waters’ Folk Singer is a high energy recording with...
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PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium Stereo Tube Preamplifier
John E. Johnson, Jr. has posted a review, including a full suite of test measurements, of the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium stereo tube preamplifier ($2199) at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. Here is a sample: The ProLogue was a perfect match with the pa21, producing lush, warm sound that put me into deep...
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Conrad-Johnson ET3 Preamplifier
Alan Sircom, Editor of Hi-Fi+, has posted a review of the Conrad-Johnson ET3 preamplifier ($2500) at AVGuide. His conclusions: If there’s one word that sums up the ET3 it’s ‘sumptuous’. Sound is full-bodied and natural sounding, enveloping the listener in the musical event in the way the c-j preamps always used to. You’d naturally...
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Abbingdon Music Research PH-77 Phono Stage
Michael Fremer has posted a review of the Abbingdon Music Research PH-77 phono stage ($11,995) at Stereophile. His conclusions: The PH-77 is a sweet, tonally well-balanced, quiet performer that produced a large, authoritative sonic picture packed with honest detail. Its weakest suit was its inability to produce full macrodynamic expression. While it was good...
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Soulution 750 Phono Preamp
Jonathan Valin has posted a review of the Soulution 750 phono preamp ($25,000) at AVGuide. His conclusions: My conclusion? The Soulution 750 is the most neutral, detailed, transparent-to-sources, lifelike solid-state phonostage I’ve yet heard. It will appeal to absolute sound listeners and fidelity-to-mastertape listeners equally. It is, in fact, what I would buy if...
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NAD PP 3 Phono Preamplifier with USB Output
Stereophile has posted a review of the NAD PP 3 phono preamplifier ($199) at its website. Its conclusions: In the PP 3 phono preamplifier, NAD has produced a detailed, uncolored, and dynamic performer. Its A/D converter is fairly impressive, and its USB recording function is a breeze to use with the VinylStudio Lite software,...
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