SoundArtist PRE-1 Pre-amplifier
PRO:
Very good build quality.
Bass is strong, full and fat, and goes deep.
Competes with many much more expensive preamps, a true bargain at the selling price.
Very quiet background.
According to SoundArtist "The design of the amplifier circuit was inspired by Marantz 7, and the design of the Cathode Following Output Circuit was inspired by Shigeru Wada".
Historically, the Marantz Model 7 was a breakthrough in preamplifier design at its introduction in 1958.
In production for more than 12 years, the Model 7 was the most popular preamplifier of its time, with sales of more than 130,000 units—a staggering number considering its price of $385 ($4023 in 2023 dollars).
CON:
The preamp feet are mediocre, I replaced them with proper silicone feet.
Needs at least a 45 minute warm- up while playing music.
Needs at least 100 hours of break-in, where the sound varies from sublime to unbearable.
Soundstage not as spacious as better rivals, but not at this price.
Very revealing of poor recordings.
The remote control for volume increases and decreases volume in quite large increments.
Date Added: 05/16/2023 by **
