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


Only recently have heard about these pre-amps. Are they as good as they are made out to be? Is the least expensive model as good as say a R0land Synergy? I live in Seattle and have never heard of this pre-amp so any information would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jerry.
dumboatc8da
Oops, forgot again. The new variants are 'Plus' variants on the Paramount theme. Thus:
Presence Deluxe Mk.2 4.0 with Paramount Plus Upgrade.
Paramount Plus.
Presence DeLuxe Statement with Paramount Plus Upgrade

For example, here are some of the key features of the Paramount Plus:

Controls: 2 volume, 2 source selector, 2 tape switch, 2 mute switch, 1 cap discharge switch
Chassis: 3 total (2 power supply, 1 amplification/control)
Custom machined anodized Aluminum (2)
Wiring: Paramount wiring
2 mono power supplies
PS Capacitance per channel: 278,000 mF
Total PS capacitance556,000 mF
Capacitor type: Cardas Golden Ratio Capacitors
Volume control types: Ladder step attenuators
Attenuator capacitors: Vishay S102K
Number of attenuator capacitors: 46 x 2
Power supplies: 2
PS Ombelicals: Detachable
Paramount grounding
Calloway, you suggested earlier you were planning to upgrade from your Presence model to a real Paramount. Have you ordered/received your unit? You may be able to comment on perceivable sonic difference between Holco and Vishay-based models.
Mphnkns, I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here...and I'm also going to don my full Nomex suit in anticipation of the flames.

Have you ruled out, or can you rule out, that the First Sound Presence Deluxe II is not to blame for the glare you hear, and is instead revealing some deficiencies in your source component(s)?

Guido, that's a lot of models no matter how you cut it.

No kidding TVAD about the number of variants. Even with the spreadsheet I tend to get confused.
And you are right, it would be interesting to learn about the rest of Mphnkns's system.
Too many options. He should simplify, or at least re-organize the product line.

I'd like to know what mphnkns's preamp of choice is (I assume it's not the First Sound).

And damn, this disucssion has made me very curious to try the Aesthetic Calypso and the new Herron.