Ok....
I recieved my amp last week and have all ready put the 100 hours necessary to achive "burn in" on it.
Let me give you my preamp history so you know where I'm coming from. Its short...
1. Rotel RC1070
new unit. Nice solid state preamp. I enjoyed it until I got my Martin Logans. Then it sounded harsh. So.....I dumped it and borrowed the next one...
2. Conrad Johnson PV-10 Tube pre
This was an awesome preamp. It smoothed out my harshness, but took away a little bit of detail, I thought. Still, it was light years better than the Rotel.
3. The Audio Experience Symphonies Tube pre.
opened the box, took out the CJ, put in the Symphones and fired up something I had been listening to a lot recently.
Amazing. out of the box, the bass responce, depth and width of the soundstage was much better than the CJ. It sounded a little grainy, but that was the needed break-in. Now that it is broken it, it is the best preamp iv'e heard. That isnt saying a lot as i've only been really involved w/two others.
However....
this thing is 100% pure quality hand-build craftmanship. All point to point silver soldered. 3 12ax7 tubes and a 6x4 for the gain stage. it sounds so sweet, so detailed. I'm amazed by it more each time I listen.
Best $400 i've spent on my gear, hands down.
Carl took his CJ back last night, and will be taking my Symphonies home for a listen after he gets re-acquainted with his again. Maybe he'll post a comment or two.
I'l have a more in-depth review posted to nickspicks.com in a week or so.
now, i'm wondering what the Symphonies + sounds like.