Best Preamp For $1200 Used

the lastest version of the linn kairn, w/the "slimline" version of their brilliant power supply is absolutely awesome. great detail, transparancy, soundstage - width *&* depth, weyy neutral tonal balance. also unbelievably user friendly, w/great remote, two tape loops, 6 inputs (or 5, plus fono), three main outputs, and ability to run remote-room set-ups, or to be used w/a home theatre set-up, & not degrade the sound of your 2-channel stereo. i got mine for considerably less than $1200; i had an older linn w/brilliant p/s, was going to go to tubes, but i'm *way* happy w/this latest version.

i had only one experience w/ar - their sp9 mkll. i bought one used a few years ago, it was positively *awful*! the dealer suggested new sovtek 6922's. an improvement, but still unbelievably dull & slow - it was like the music was in slo-motion. even my old adcom gft1a was more listenable. i *wanted* to like it, cuz it was so nice-looking, but the dealer took it back after a week of my trying. arcam stuff creamed it, my old electrocompaniet ec1a (which i still love, but it doesn't have remote) creamed it, my old linn kairn creamed it, my new linn kairn creams it. perhaps other ar stuff is better...