Orpheus10, I can, but not sure if it would fall within the guidelines. |
Conrad Johnson in tube and McIntosh in solid state. |
Like Atmasphere, I too would have to say our own Purity Audio Design pieces. There are other preamps I do like and dislike which aided in the design of ours.
Preamps I do like include; Shindo, Audio Note as well as some of the new upper end solid state units. There is a lot of good gear out there. |
Conrad Johnson ART is my best so far. Their ACT 2.2 is close.
A big factor in trying to name "a" best is the road that leads from that preamp i.e. amp>speakers>room>ears. I've used these pres with ss,tubes,tripath chip type amps and with Magnepans,med-eff and hi-eff speakers and have enjoyed the outcome every time. |
The best I have heard so far is our own, but of course I should be expected to say that. I like it because there are no coupling caps at the output, unusual in a tube preamp. This makes it very fast with very deep bass.
Other preamps that I also like a lot:
DeHavilland, ARC REF Anniversary, Aesthetix Signature, CAT and the Lamm. I'm also a big fan of the H/K Citation 1. |
VAC is the best I've heard |
While I chose ARC, ARC don't got "soul". CJ preamps got "soul", could anyone elaborate on other preamps. |
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Viva Audio Linea XP new.....for me. |
The FM Acoustics 266. I have not heard S McCormack's "virtual reality engine" (VRE), but look forward to it soon. |
I thought the best preamp was the one you didn't hear.
Mot |
Shindo Giscours. Would sure love to own one! |
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First sound paramount plus mk3.. |
Audio Research Reference 5 SE and the latest iteration of Mark Levinson No. 326S. Haven't heard the Berning. |
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I've heard several Berning amps and while I'll say they were good they didn't make me run out and buy one.
On your pre-amp question, the best I've heard is the SMc VRE-1b, simply stunning. I had a Kondo M1000 ( over $95,000 retail) and the VRE was much more 3 dimensional sounding and musical that I quickly sold the Kondo.
(Dealer disclaimer) |
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Dunno.
Based on cost/build quality, probably recent top of the line Audio Research REf pre-amp or similar VTL, or MBL maybe.
Based on sound quality, that's a hard one! The sound quality performance of a good pre-amp is largely determined by the overall system it is used in. Also, features play an important role in best pre-amp for each case or individual. People value different things there which is why there are so many.
I will say that I have heard top notch sound quality from a variety of pre-amps at various price points in recent years, starting with some that can be had for not much. |
Cayin, Citation I, and yes I own it. I use it to mostly play vinyl. |
