Anybody own Audio Experience Symphonies?

I own an older rotel preamp rtc-970 and Dolby Digital decoder rotel rda-975 as well as the Symphonies and I can tell you I am sometimes tempted to buy two more of the Symphonies to listen to movies on and throw away the rotel rtc-970. I use the Marantz MA500's for amps(x5) which are also a great deal if you aren't going totally analog and like watching movies. All point to point. Only downside I have noticed: the clicks inbetween CD/AV/AUX1/AUX2 have a little static. Low gain so bablancing for AV output means turning it up at least to 12:00. You can almost see these idiosynchrosys as quaint at the amp's price. Never interferes with output - never unsatisfied even watching big action films, not to mention breathes some life in - I was sold after flipping back and forth while watchign a DVD of The Shield - Chickliss' growl had real *human* abrasive depth that it lacked on the rotel. Build is VERY solid. Probably worth replacing the power cord as well with something better. The guy who makes them, while he barely speaks English is really great, and double boxes everything. He also includes shipping in the price. After burn in you will not believe how airy and fresh, how lifelike everything sounds. I like this preamp better than Conrad Johnson/Jolida. Also Manley if only for price. It is similar to a preamp Cary makes, but which I haven't heard. There are two line-outs on the back if you bi-wire. Another perk. I really can't recommend this preamp enough - you wouldn't feel ripped off even if you paid $2000. for it - at $400. it's unstoppable.

the side ones with JAN Phillips - very steady gain, and that Mullard tone. Groove Tubes makes the reissue. It's very easy to find but I hear they are raising their prices. All the wires in the runs are not the same gauge and can be upgraded.

There have been several threads relating the experiences of more high-end solid state guys trying this preamp and not getting it to work. There have been rumors this is b/c of a DC leak. I have talked to several people, along with the maker of the preamp and everyone agrees it is not DC leak. It is the low gain and low RMS of the preamp that has made it not compatible with high-flux solid state gear - they go into safety mode. Recently, this problem was "corrected" which means the overall performance of the preamp has gone down i.e. become more noisy as the RMS was increased via new caps in the power stage to make it more compatible. I would definitely listen to one of the new ones before making a purchase. You will be able to tell b/c it will have different caps - and probably not Black Gates (since they have quit making them) which is what mine has. The reason I say this is because it does not have output capacitors to reject noise with the higher output. I am trying to get up pic's of my virutal system and will post an interior view when I do.

Listen to Jeff.

I use it with a Cary Rocket and never had any hiss. Used to use it with Marantz Monoblocks. The 500MA's. Also good. Had a top of the line Rotel that was not as good for a preamp and finally sold it. Currently I am engaged in an interior revamp. I will post when finished.