What can you tell me about First Sound pre-amps?

In comparing FS with CAT, i found CAT the clear winner.

Very different-CAT with strong dynamics and a stark, very clear sound that cuts through-if you have the right system that would complement and can handle those attributes, might be an excellent match.

The CAT on the other hand, immediately reeks of class and musicality-smooth, lush yet concise, vibrant. The First Sound might be 2% clearer, but IMO the CAT's vibrancy and aliveness is considerably more engaging, to me..

Immediately i thought "here's a winner".

Analogbass, I am assuming you meant the FS has "strong dynamics and a stark, very clear sound that cuts through...", right? Im going nuts waiitng for my new SL-1 to arrive. I also had the Presence Deluixe whch was really wonderful (I miss it), but so much has changed in my system since i had the FS that there will no way for me to comapre the CAT and ther FS.

celebrat - WELL DONE. I was considering getting a paramount to replace my Presence Deluxe, but none materialzed on here - nobody wants to part with theirs. You did the right thing. It will only get better and better with further break in. Please take a moment when you get a chance and give us more details about how the upgrade improved the sound!

I misplaced the acronyms, referring to FS in the first instance, as in strong dynamics, stark, clear sound.

I suppose it depends on taste at higher levels, but the CAT jumped out in front in terms of musicality and rightness, immediately inviting, vibrant and silky smooth but not at the expense of anything else that comes to mind. FS on the other hand, had some strong attributes, but was not strikingly musical, beautiful or involving, IMO, as someone who goes with first impressions and then confirms them..

Analogbass - which incarnation of the CAT were you comparing to which FS preamp?

Artg
What are you going to replace your CAT with? Just curious. Though maybe you might climb the FS ladder. Hope you are well. :-)