What can you tell me about First Sound pre-amps?

Kalan - I agree 100%. My system sounds better with a high quality preamp. I would be happy to add a FS Paramount back into the chain, but only used (so far none seen).

The Presence Deluxe is gone. I'm also going to try a deHavilland Mercury 2 within the next few weeks, and maybe a CAT and/or Joule ELectra before making a final decision.

I think the BEST pre amp out there bar none is the new superphon Revelation 3....... you can get it with or without gain.......... I think it will smoke anything. I heard one without gain....best preamp out there.

Artg, I would be interested in your impressions of any of the other pre's you mentioned: deHavilland Mercury 2, CAT, or the JE. Please update this thread.

I see I've been away a while, and the thread has grown.
Kalan, I've had FIM outlets ever since I "returned" to the land of audiophilus nervosa, so that's not the issue.

I find it interesting that I've NEVER had this issue with brass before, not on any system I've ever had. I find it puzzling, but still don't know what's causing it. It's not as though it's horrifying: it's just noticeable on fortes.
I've already written Emmanuel, who suggested an upgrade to the Paramount, but I don't think I should have to upgrade to resolve this.
I'll just live with it for now...

Kalan:
One more thing. My rack is the Finite Elemente Spider -- which doesn't have any shelves to speak of. The equipment sits on elastometers that fit onto the wooden legs of the stand, so there's no sound bouncing between shelves. Ingenious solution, I must say! The equipment sits in "open air," so to speak. Nice rack, much better than the Billy Baggs, which sounds "dark" by comparison, and "heavier," too. The music seems freed up on the Spider and more delicate.