Depends on the preamp. Most separate preamps are much better than the stock unit. With volume control mods however, it can be quite marvelous. It trounces my fully modded Mark Levinson #38, which I thought was quite transparent. Have to keep getting up to adjust the volume, but it's worth it for the sound quality.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer