Need A Quick Education

I'd love to do that but I don't have a dealer in my area!

I was under the impression that the lower the number (SNR) the less quiet it would be, in terms of "hiss", etc. I realize it will play music and maybe even play it well, but will I have to turn the volume up higher and (possibly) sacrifice a "black" background as opposed to a pre with a higher SNR?

Maybe I should back up a bit and restate what I am asking. I am trying to understand SNR as it applies to a preamp. What does it mean? How important is it? Is there a good "benchmark" number to look for on a SS pre. Is >100dB better than 90dB? If yes/no, why? Believe me, I will always try to listen to the equipment first, when possible and I have always trusted my ears when it comes to equipment purchases. I put "little" stock into stats as well but they can at least point you in a certain direction when comparison with your senses is not possible.

The preamp I am leaning toward has a SNR of 90dB. The model is the Audio Refinement Pre-5 which has all the features I am looking for - no DSP and everything remains in the analogue domain. The other preamp I am looking at which will serve a similar purpose is the Sony TA-P9000es which has an SNR of >100dB. Both seem to use dedicated circuits and appear to be well built. The Audio Refinement is the "economic" line of YBA. The Sony, well... The Sony seems to have the better stats here but I have been unable to listen to one because they seem to be out of stock every where I go. The only way to get the Audio Refinement piece is out of a dealer in NY that I have never dealt with before. I am in Dallas, TX. See my dilemma?

Thanks, Creeper! I couldn't find a dealer list to save my life when I was doing my searches. Now I can give this a listen and decide for myself! Thanks again!