Preamplifiers

Edgar Kramer has posted a review of the Supratek Reference DHT preamplifier ($4000) at 6moons. His conclusions: “The Supratek Reference DHT is a unique preamplifier built by a passionate music lover and artisan far removed from audiophile dogma, with engineering experience stretching many decades. It provides clear, dynamic, powerful and tonally beautiful music to...
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David Price has posted a review of the Parasound Halo P5 preamplifier (£999) at Hi-Fi Choice. His conclusions: “On its own, as a £1,000 preamplifier, the Parasound P5 is very good, but not great. It is a substantial step up from the preamp sections of your average £500 amplifier, but doesn’t offer a revelatory...
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Erich Wetzel has posted a review of the Cary Audio SL-100 preamplifier ($1995) at SoundStage! Access. His conclusions: “This former owner of tubed gear found himself very comfortable with the warmish sound of the Cary SL-100. I agree with the writer(s) of the SL-100’s manual, who described its sound as “smooth.” The SL-100 will...
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Marc Mickelson has posted a review of the Audio Research Reference 10 preamplifier ($30,000) at The Audio Beat. His conclusions: “While one could want a different sonic character in this way or that, this would be an expression of preference, not some universal truth about the Reference 10. Ergonomically, I can’t even concede a...
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Jack Roberts has posted a review of the Music First Audio Baby Reference preamplifier ($7790) at Dagogo. His conclusions: “I just want to follow up on his review and say if you are looking for the best line stage available you should hear the Music First Audio Baby Reference. What an incredible bargain compared...
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Doug Schroeder has posted a review of the TEO Audio Liquid Pre preamplifier ($4200) at Dagogo. His conclusions: “In summary, this is the only preamp I can say that to my ears did everything right with every piece of music played, and never once stumbled by introducing grunge, either mechanical or electronic. I cannot...
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Terry London has posted a review of the Backert Labs Rhythm 1.1 preamplifier ($7500) at HomeTheaterReview. His conclusions: “This preamp created terrific macro-dynamics, powerful yet tuneful bass, beautiful timbres/tonality, and world-class soundstaging, with three-dimensional imaging capabilities.” You can read the full review here. You can find links to more reviews of the Backert Labs...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Ayon Audio Spheris II preamplifier (~€33,975) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “It’s the richness of the sound, its energy that makes this presentation so emotionally engaging. Almost every recording I listened to was an interesting experience assuming that music was actually interesting, of course. But even...
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Aron Garrecht has posted a review of the Ayre Acoustics KX-5 preamplifier ($7950) at SoundStage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: “The attention to detail, quality, and performance that I have experienced while reviewing the formidable KX-5 preamplifier has reaffirmed my position that Ayre Acoustics makes some of the best audio gear money can buy. Putting aside...
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Tom Lyle has posted a review of the Balanced Audio Technology VK-33 preamplifier ($8495) at Enjoy the Music. His conclusions: “The fact remains that there are more accomplished, and of course more expensive, preamplifiers available from BAT that are there for anyone who can afford them. So rather than admit that I might have...
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Wojciech Pacula has posted a review of the Aries Cerat Incito preamplifier (€7500) at High Fidelity. His conclusions: “The Incito is a very versatile preamplifier. Every kind of music sounds professional on it. In modifies the sound to a small degree, leaving lots of room for auxiliary components. It is not ultra-transparent, but such...
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Jack Roberts has posted a review of the Raven Audio Shadow Reference preamplifier ($6995) at Dagogo. His conclusions: “I really enjoyed my time with the Raven Audio Shadow Reference Preamplifier. It is extremely well built and delivers a very musical performance. It allowed my system to play some of the most natural timbres and...
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Janine Elliott has posted a review of the Music First Audio Baby Reference preamplifier (£6000) at Hi-Fi Pig. Her conclusions: “If you have over £5000 to spend on a preamp, and aren’t flustered by not having lights and something to plug in to the mains, you would do very well to give this little...
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John Atkinson has posted a review of the Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty line preamplifier ($27,500) at Stereophile. His conclusions: “Reviewing superbly engineered solid-state preamplifiers can be time consuming. All of the first-order sonic attributes—frequency balance, linearity, lack of coloration, etc.—are beyond reproach, which means one needs to focus on such higher-order qualities as the...
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Michael Wechsberg has posted a review of the ($7500) at Positive Feedback. His conclusions: ” I certainly haven’t heard all the competition but the Rhythm 1.1 holds its own among this breed with a wonderful clear and dynamic sound and awesome rhythmic drive, plus a look and mechanical design befitting its price. It’s hard...
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