the preamplifier built in the ayon cd5 is great?

These are the types of preamplifiers I have taken in on trade when customers have borrowed the CD5 and use it as a direct-to-amp substitute.

1. ) Audio Research LS-25
2. ) Wavac PRZ-1
3. ) Mark Levinson 380
4. ) Ayre ( cannot remember model # )
5. ) Hovland HP-100

and a few others.

The preamplifier in the CD5 was made to " replace " your existing preamplifier, not as a thrown in preamplifier until you can save enough money for a real preamplifier like some CD player/ preamp combos did. Part of this has to do with the Ayon simply being a superb preamplifier in the CD5, and some to do with the fact that you are by-passing an entire stage in the chain that is really not needed unless you have many sources.

Will it appeal to every single shopper? No. Nothing ever does, it's a matter of preference as with all things audio, but the last 8 sales of CD5's were by customers who ALL had preamplifiers in their system. I managed to get rid of 5 of them, and still have 3 preamps left to get rid of. This has got to tell you something...... Draw your own conclusions

Check out the Dagodo review. That reviewer rated the CD5's preamp as superior to everything he has heard up to Vac Renaissance Sig (a $14k pre!). I own a CD5. I rate it higher than the Audio Research CD8. In terms of your question "Is is greater than Pass, Levinson.." Audiojudge's response is pretty accurate, although I personally think the Hovland is a lovely preamp. Hope that helps.

From my experience since I own the CD-2, sure the combo sounded better than my Belles 21A Auricap but I'm not at the point of getting rid if my pre because the CD-2 and what I have heard from other CD-5 users is that these unit just doesn't have the gain at moderate levels but beautiful at low volumes. Since we're talking about, I'll do some comparison tonight at low levels since my kids are all tucked in.