J
Jack Hammer
New member
Some like their coffee with a little cream, some like it black, some like it with half and half and sugar, some leave off the sugar. I like it black and every now and then with condensed milk - no sugar. So, some like tubes, some like no tubes. Though there are lots of recommendations for various pre amps, there is no consensus and little by way of descriptive sound quality upon which one can base a judgement. Why does this matter? Why not just go in to the cafe', have a cup and see if you like it. The answer is that it is difficult to find a place where you can compare all of the possible pres you might be considering. Most stores do no even have these things set up for trial use. Even if they had some of them set up for a try out, the environment is not optimal. One needs to slowly sip thier coffee over the course of a few different mornings under various wakeing conditions to determine whether or not that particular blend is right for them, better than something else, works but not everyday, good for everyday but not for special occassions.
How can people like us (me) knw what to do when looking for a high end pre amp if we cannot hear it first over a period of time albeit a short period in the environment in which it will ultimately be used. To truly test such a piece of equipment, one would have to put the thing through all of its paces and then maybe there would be a good objective and well reasoned decision.
Ultimately, most of our decisions on which high end pre amp to buy may, unfortunately, be emotional decisions for lack of any better information and criteria being available.
I am considering a higne end stereo pre amp. From the threads here, I have narrowed the field down to roughly every pre amp over $1,500.00. Maybe its not quite that bad but I had just about decided on an Avalon until I read some threads here and thought, hmmmm, maybe a Neve type pre amp. Then the field (coffee) just got muddier and muddier. What is the ultimate criteria apart and aside from listening or is there none.
Your input/output, colored though it may be, hyped on tube coffee thought it may be, should be expressed in terms such as "it has a creamy textured sound with crisp, clean highs and full, robust lows" and don't forget the aroma becuase the smell of a pre amp is also very important.
How can people like us (me) knw what to do when looking for a high end pre amp if we cannot hear it first over a period of time albeit a short period in the environment in which it will ultimately be used. To truly test such a piece of equipment, one would have to put the thing through all of its paces and then maybe there would be a good objective and well reasoned decision.
Ultimately, most of our decisions on which high end pre amp to buy may, unfortunately, be emotional decisions for lack of any better information and criteria being available.
I am considering a higne end stereo pre amp. From the threads here, I have narrowed the field down to roughly every pre amp over $1,500.00. Maybe its not quite that bad but I had just about decided on an Avalon until I read some threads here and thought, hmmmm, maybe a Neve type pre amp. Then the field (coffee) just got muddier and muddier. What is the ultimate criteria apart and aside from listening or is there none.
Your input/output, colored though it may be, hyped on tube coffee thought it may be, should be expressed in terms such as "it has a creamy textured sound with crisp, clean highs and full, robust lows" and don't forget the aroma becuase the smell of a pre amp is also very important.
