When I "review" a product I buy it with my own money. I do not do industry loans and I receive no accommodation pricing. That way I am a consumer, like you, and it keeps influences and motives out of reach.
That said, the LA-1 has an energy to it that makes the music bound with energy that more approximates live. It has clarity and emotion. It is a fast preamp. It sure keeps my foot tapping. If you are looking for the usual tube attributes, this preamp might not be for you. I have just purchased a digital processor/preamp and it sounds so slow and polite as just a pure preamp compared to the LA-1. You wouldn't think that would be the case with a digital processor/preamp.
Good luck.
John Mazur
That said, the LA-1 has an energy to it that makes the music bound with energy that more approximates live. It has clarity and emotion. It is a fast preamp. It sure keeps my foot tapping. If you are looking for the usual tube attributes, this preamp might not be for you. I have just purchased a digital processor/preamp and it sounds so slow and polite as just a pure preamp compared to the LA-1. You wouldn't think that would be the case with a digital processor/preamp.
Good luck.
John Mazur