Preamps w/ best transparency/top end, no brightnes


In your experience, what preamps, preferably tube and with both line and phono capability, have the best combination of transparency and top end extension without having a distant image and sounding bright or excessively lean ? Thank you very much.
opus88

Showing 1 response by wizard454

May I suggest the following (I own both):
1)Tube preamp: Sonic Frontiers Line 2SE+ (upgraded by Chris Johnson of PCX). Crystal clear detailed extended top end without any harshness at all. Terrific mids and deep bottom end to boot. You'll have to add an external phono amp.
2) Solid state preamp: Bryston BP26 it is different in musical presentation from the SF but strangely enough the same comments apply. This pre is available with your choice of MM or MC phono stage, I find this pre to be accurrate, fast and very enjoyable to listen to.

Both the above are great preamps that are extremely enjoyable to listen to especialy with well recorded material. You will get lost in the music!