Review: deHavilland Electric Amp Mercury Tube preamp

Category: Preamps

I purchased the deHavilland Mercury triode preamp about 3 weeks ago, partially broken-in before I received it. I am very pleased with it's performance which just keeps on getting better. This preamp is all tubes using the large type 85 triode, class A and has no negative feedback. It uses the Goldpoint stepped attenuator and has after circuit trimmers to adjust the balance. This preamp sounds very natural and simply allows the music to pass. It is very dynamic and instruments sound real with wonderful harmonic texture, accurate timbre and real life bloom. The imaging and soundstage are outstanding. I listen a great deal to Opera and I am transported to the live performance. I also listen to other classical music, show tunes and jazz with equally outstanding result. The bass is tuneful and natural, midrange very fluid, and highs are extended, smooth, airy and not etched. This preamp has a very refined and nonfatiguing sound. I can listen for hours.

I previously had a Pass X2.5 which was excellent, but the Mercury surpasses it in realism. I was apprehensive the Mercury being single ended would not work well with my balanced interconnects connected to my balanced CDP and amp, but using the excellent Cardas XLR RCA adapters, I have a perfect match. I think the Mercury is a gem and would be very surprised if the expensive world class preamps improved significantly on it's sound. The tubes are inexpensive to replace and are under-stressed with a life of thousands of hours according to the designer. The deHavilland Ultraverve, the less expensive sibling to the Mercury has had rave reviews and was given the 2004 award by Enjoy the Music.com. For those who want a remote, it is availabe for another 500, but I understand there is no sonic improvement.

The preamp should not be left on all the time after broken-in and for me sounds it's best after 30 to 45 min. warm up. By the way you can get custom face plates. Mine is gold with black engraved logo and silver nobs. This a perfect match for my CDP and amp. Also the Mercury with my GamuT SS amp is a perfect example of a perfect marriage between a tube preamp and SS amp. These two components have something very important in common. They both use single devices for their output which gives single voicing without any matching problems. I think this type of design may be one of the most important elements in realistic music reproduction.

Associated gear
GamuT CD1R
GamuT D-100 Mk.3
Chapman Q6 3 way dynamic tower speaker
Stealth AC Line purifier
All JPS Labs cable