2. amps-preamps
  3. 1075710953

Which Solid-State Preamp under $7,000.00 New?

On the following list of solid-state active preamps under $7,000 new, or under $4,500.00 used, which is overall the most utterly transparent,least colored, balanced top-to-bottom, neutral, dynamic, open, and 3-dimensional? Which passes the signal with the VERY LEAST degradation to it?
1.ARC LS3
2.AYRE K-1x.
3.HERRON AUDIO HL-1
4.KLYNE MODEL 7LX3.5
5.KRELL KRC-HR
6.PASS LABS X 1
7.PLACETTE ACTIVE
8.SIM AUDIO P-5
Thanks for your responses!
daltonlanny
600ohms
3 posts
 

A message like this surprises me when, as of the date of this post, we have not shipped any HL-1 Preamplifiers.

Keith Herron
Herron Audio
daltonlanny OP
297 posts
 
Keith,I read literature about the HL-1 on your website and in Music Directs [I think?]Catalog back in January.
Thanks,
Lanny
600ohms
3 posts
 
Thank you Lanny. You are correct, we have had the HL-1 on our website for a while. We delayed manufacturing due to a modification and concurrent work on the VTSP-2 (the tube version).
My last comment referred to a post by Joejr on 02-08-04 saying, "Having own all the pre-amps mentioned on the list,with the exception of the klyne(auditioned as a loaner)
The Placette Active in my opinion as heard in my sound room is more musical and transparent then the others."
Since we had not shipped any HL-1s at that time, he could not have owned one.

Best Regards,

Keith Herron
shubertmaniac
348 posts
 
wow! no mention of the Spectral DMC30s for $6500.00. For a solid state preamp, has a killer soundstage and imaging.
johncarter
2 posts
 
Shubertmaniac,

Yes, I would second your suggestion. I have the DMC-30SL, which is even better - stunning in fact. Both are MUCH less expensive to buy in the US than the 230V European versions (sigh).

John Carter (from the UK).
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