2. amps-preamps
  3. 1421512511

Floored by the Sound Quality of TEO Liquid Pre

I recently reviewed the TEO Audio Liquid Pre and now own it. So, as a happy user I would encourage the community to read my review at Dagogo.com.

I have rapidly come to the tentative conclusion that the liquid conductor is holistically superior to TVC technology. I will continue to assess this conclusion going forward, but at this time I have the sense that the liquid cable is of a similar caliber as the ESS Sabre chips I wrote about years ago - a product which is capable of causing a sea change in manufacturing of audio equipment. I envisioned the ESS chips and accompanying architecture as the future of digital playback, and they have become so. I get the same sense with the liquid conductor technology. It's way too good to not move to the forefront.

I did not switch to a passive until I had a means of remotely controlling the volume, and that came along when I switched to file playback. Both have been wonderful moves, terrific steps in building better sounding rigs. I strongly encourage people who are at a junction, who are sitting on the fence in regards to file playback to push onward, and to procure a passive preamp for demo. I think you will be astonished at the level of improvement available to you. I suggest you do not make your audio experience all about tweaks, but rather focus on the signal path and get yourself some serious gains in performance. I don't recommend junk products or insipid improvements. File playback with passive preamp is the ticket to a new vista of digital listening. :)

A factor which must be taken into consideration is the output of the amp relative to the speaker's efficiency. I advise you discuss this with prospective amplification sellers. Since a passive does not add gain, you must have an amp/speaker pairing which the speaker can be easily driven by the amp to sufficient listening levels.

The Liquid Pre is reference quality fit for elite systems. TEO deserves a lot of eyeballs on this product, and I'm happy to direct yours there.
douglas_schroeder

Showing 2 responses by david12

david12
1,398 posts
 
I am a big fan of passive Pre amps, I recently borrowed 3 and did a mini shootout, just on my own, not to scientific I know. The units were, a Prometheus Reference, Audio music and Music First Audio Baby Reference. The latter stood out as being exceptional. Dynamic, with excellent base, said to be a failing with passives, neutral, very transparent and detailed. I had previously compared it with an Audio Research Ref 3 and preferred the passive, but it was very close.

I note that you think the Teo is a significant improvement on the MFA Baby Reference, so it must be very good indeed. Unfortunately, without balanced outputs, it is no use to me, as my ARC Ref 75 only takes XLR inputs.
david12
1,398 posts
 
I am sure the Teo is an upgrade from the MFA Baby Reference, but I would count the ARC ref 75 the centre of my system and a wonderful match for Daedalus speakers, that you have used Doug. I saw that you were trying to sell yours, I don't know if you succeeded. I have heard Lou's speakers with a number of amps, none come near to the quality I get with the Ref 75, including Modwright amps that I know he favours.
More to discover