Top ten tube preamps

Below is my ranking. I owned them all except for the Cortese, which spent an afternoon in my system compliments of a friend.

1. SMc VRE-1
2. First Sound Deluxe Mk II
3. SupraTek Cortese
4. Joule La-150 Mk I
5. Blue Circle BC-3
6. McIntosh C-15

I never thought I would end up with a solid state preamp, but after 18 months I have not felt the slightest itch to change or try something different.

Hope to get a chance to hear that VRE-1 at RMAF - the reviews and owner comments have been bery positiive.

I don't understand why the McCormack preamp went from 7500 to 15k. can someone clue us in?

Thanks,

KeithR

05-17-10: Keithr
I don't understand why the McCormack preamp went from 7500 to 15k. can someone clue us in?

It was initially sold directly to the customer by SMc Audio. Now, it's distributed by the Lotus Audio Group and sold through retail dealers, so there are two additional levels of mark-up.

too bad---i don't think many folks are going to read reviews on a piece at 7500 then pony up double for it. of course i could be wrong.