Has anyone heard the Gato Audio PPA-1 phone preamp?

Greetings all!

I was curious if anyone has heard or own this Danish phono preamp?

 

Personally, I own a Gato Audio Amp 150 AE and absolutely love it! It’s the single best component I have ever added to my system.

 

For reference, in my analog setup, I currently have a VPI super prime scout TT with Kiseki Blue NOS cart. My phono preamp is a Schitt Mani, for now, as I replaced my Luxman LX-380 with the Gato. I previously used the built in phono of the Luxman. It was better than the Mani but not nearly as good as my digital rig.

 

Speaking of which… my digital rig. A Bluesound Node 2i, with upgraded power board, powered by a S-Booster LPSU. A Lampizator Amber 3 DAC is connected to the Node 2i by way of an Audio Envy coaxial cable. The node 2i is also directly hardwired to my modem, with a Supra Excalibur USB cable, so no Wi-Fi involved. The Amber 3 is connected to the Amp 150 AE via Audio Envy Prestige RCA interconnect cables.

 

My speakers are Aerial Acoustic 7T’s connected to the Amp 150 AE via Audio Envy SP12 speaker cables. As you might tell, I’m a fan of Audio Envy’s cables. They just work in my room, with my gear. I have 2 external subwoofers. PSA S3611 and a Rythmik F12 SE. Both are sealed subs and I have them dialed in to perfection with all the tight, low end I could ever want or need. There’s always more on tap if needed 😏

im currently in the middle of a remodel of my primary audio room. I have a pair of Blue Jeans Cables speaker cables in place while my SP 12’s are ran as part of the build. I really miss the sound with my SP 12’s. Not the first time I did a back and forth with these pairs of speaker cables. Each time I missed the sound of the AE’s. I don’t understand the reasoning for this, but as long as my ears are happy 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

My room is not currently treated, but this will be happening in the near future as the progress of the room pushes forward.

 

This brings me full circle back to the subject of this discussion. So, has anyone heard it? I’m wanting to step my vinyl performance up and my natural response was to want to stay in the Gato Audio family. To boot, the aesthetics with the Amp 150 AE would be so sweet! However, my first priority is always performance/sound quality. Once that baseline is established, all other additions are simply sprinkles.

 

I’m hoping to hear any/all experiences involving the Gato PPA-1. I appreciate anyone that can make a solid recommendation for a phono preamp that may have good synergy with associated gear. I listen to most genres of music but am partial to electronic, acoustic, jazz and anything else that’s well produced and raises the audio bar. I’m open to solid state or tubes, however, the thought of tubes intrigue me more given how I have rolled tubes in my Amber 3 DAC. It had made significant improvements in sound quality, so that technology has proven to be a potential pathway upgrade with better quality tubes.

 

Thank you all, in advance, for your suggestions, consideration and time.

 

Cheers to all and happy listening!

Scott