H-CAT Model 12-P Preamp, Fact or Fiction??


Has anyone actually seen or heard this preamp? The two reviews I found of it raved that it is the best preamp ever SS or Tube...(500x resolution,....) sounds almost too good to be true.
Somebody out there must know something!

Here's the link to the (not so informative) homepage
http://www.h-cat.com
mcinallg3872
Tbg - Thanks for the info.
Have you any more tech info on the preamp?
My monoblocks have balanced inputs so I'd prefer balanced outputs from the preamp - also you mentioned a phono stage?
What is in the rest of your system, and what preamps have you previously tried?
Hi, I thought that semi-review would get some reaction. Bwhite, how did you know I had had a Supratek Syrah? I have had four exceptional preamps in my system, actually five. The Syrah was the first two. First I had a stock unit which sounded great, especially the phono, but ultimately one chanel went bad. It was too costly to return it to Mick, so I sent it to John Tucker at Exemplar. He had already built several amps for me which were parafeed using the 6N1P. He repaired my Syrah and ultimately convinced me to converting it to parafeed with an active load on the 6N1Ps substituted for the 6SN7s. It was startlingly better, more dynamic and quieter. The phono remains as was and was still the best phono I have heard.

Number three was Tucker's full blown Exemplar line stage which was identical to that installed in my Syrah except with the exceptional ss power supply John has developed. It had a better sound stage and better bass extention. You can see it at http://www.exemplaraudio.com/EA-1.ht

Next came version one of the H-Cat P12, which had the sound staging advantage in spades, but the Exemplar, while sounding more like tubes, was more musical or pleasing. But this H-Cat did not like my tube dac. It was called back as was the Exemplar for changes. During this period I tried the Seamless Big Dog passive transformer/pot. After extensive breakin, it was more dynamic than any prior passive unit I have tried, including the Silver Rock, and of course was neutral in sound.

Then the H-Cat returned in triumph. After about two weeks, it was king of the hill as I wrote. The Exemplar is back and breaking in, but I really have no expectation that it can outperform the H-Cat.

I use an Accustic Arts transport, a Zanden 5000 dac, a Marantz SA-1 sacd player, Siltech G5 cables, Omega Mikro ac cords plus some Elrod EPS3s, a Sound Application EX12S, and Beauhorns. The amps are 2A3 parafeed, active loaded Exemplar mono blocks using the TJ300B 2.5 v. tubes. I also have Epps 7' tall subs driven by a Citation 7.1 amp.
Tbg - Me again. Could you be more specific about the H-Cat specs:
- Does it have XLR outs or just single ended RCA
- What inputs can it accept (How many, what type..)

Also, apart from imaging, how does it sound: treble / mid / bass?

Lastly, have you considered getting the H-Cat power amp, if the preamp is so good?
Yes, sorry I forgot It has no balanced capability input or output. It has four inputs; all RCA and only one set of outputs.

Startling and immediate are the best adjectives. The top end with the precise imaging is very impressive as high hat shimmers and metal sounds like metal. The bass is most profound, seriously better than what I am accustomed to.

Yes, as I said I have never heard a ss amp that I can stand, but I am probably going to have to try one or a pair of Roger's, using one channel on the subwoofers. I have already ordered the phono stage.
Where or how do I get an H-CAT? I currently have a Belles 350A amp and assume the H-CAT will be compatible with it. However, I use a Shandling CD-T100 CD player and do not have a phono nor want to go there.

Do you think I would be pleased with this H-CAT without a phono?