I recently bought the Doge 8 Clarity (2019 Edition) preamp. It is a very comprehensive preamp with 5 line level inputs, MM/MC phono, tape/headphone out, 2 volume-controlled outputs, and a high-quality metal remote control. It is RCA only - no balanced inputs or outputs.
Once I installed outstanding 12AT7s into the line stage (I chose 1982 Siemens ECC801S tubes, but the other highly recommended alternative is new Russian copy Genalex Gold Lion B579 tubes), and gave the preamp 300+ hours of (absolutely essential) burn-in time, I've ended up with a line-level preamp which is phenomenal, at a price which is absurdly low, given this preamp's spectacular transparency and build quality.
My holographic JLTi power amp can be switched to be an integrated amp, so it is possible for me to evaluate the Doge against almost no preamp at all! The difference in realism between running the JLTi on its own as an integrated, or adding the Doge in line to the JLTi, is remarkably small. This is one hell of a line level preamp, and that's before I've even considered its MC phono stage (I already have a superb MM/MC phono preamp).
It may not be the world's ABSOLUTE BEST preamp, but it is the best line preamp I have EVER heard at any price! It is only available direct from the Doge factory in China. Price INCLUDING shipping to most countries is US$1495!
