Price Paid:  $350.00 from Private Sale

Summary:
I bought my PRE1L a while ago second-hand for NZ$500 (about US$350). It has NOS Mullard tubes in now and it sounds amazing! Previous equipment in my system has mostly been NAD and Rotel integrated stuff. I'm running the Anthem into a homemade (300wpc)Mosfet amp loaded with a pair of Image 414 (VERY GOOD NZ made 2 & 1/2way towers). My current CDP is NAD C541i and this in combination with the PRE1L is an excellent match. The Anthem PRE1L is a true giant killer and well worth a listen if you don't want to spend stoopid money on a valve preamp and don't need a phono input.

Strengths:
Neutral for a valve preamp. Not too coloured. Good, realistic soundstage. I have heard worse for MUCH, MUCH more money. Looks good in the rack. High WAF.

Weaknesses:
Stock vavles are not that good in the bass department I recommend Mullard NOS replacements if you can source 'em.

Similar Products Used:
NAD 306, C350 Rotel RA01 Fountain GEMSTAR 8-8 (old 1960s NZ made tube integrated) Current system: NAD C541i Anthem PRE1L Custom Made Mosfet POwer Amplifier (300wpc) Image 414 Speakers Custom made interconnects: triple shielded OFC/silver solder/WBT & Neutrik plugs.

Price Paid:  $750.00

Summary:
This is my first tube preamp, so i was't used to the heat issue . Had to modify my (homemade)rack to allow better ventilation. Now, for the sound. In a word,WONDERFUL. Especially with classical and jazz. Strings that were once somewhat harsh with the H.K. were smoothed out,Witout becoming too laid back. Voices very detailed, every inflection, even breaths taken between phrases,are crystal clear. I must comment that I did make a tube change, however. I went to the Westinghouse ECC88-6922,A.K.A. Tesla, ordered from Audio Advisor. Found the Westinghouse tubes to have a lower noise floor than the Sovteks.Slightly more detail, and tighter bass as well. But don't let this disuade you from trying this preamp,it is an excellent unit. I have no intention of replacing it. Highly Recommended! Associated Equipment: Adcom GFA 555,Vandersteen 2ce Signature,Pro-ject6.1 turntable with Grado z2+, NAD5240 cd,Kimber8tc+4tc in bi-wire,Kimber Silver Streak.

Strengths:
Smooth detailed highs,startlingly clear vocals.

Weaknesses:
Tubes generate substantial heat,must be well ventilated.

Similar Products Used:
Harmon Kardon Citation

Summary:
Beautiful no frills tube preamp. Spartan design that yields extremely neutral low noise performance. Can be enhanced with several NOS 6Dj8 tube variations.

Strengths:
Detailed, extremely low noise, very neutral with low coloration.

Weaknesses:
Rumored out of production.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom GFA-555, GFA-565

Summary:
I've had the Anthem for 6 months now, and am hearing things I never heard before. The tubes give a nice richness to the music.

Strengths:
Great detail, great value.

Weaknesses:
No Phono section

Similar Products Used:
Rotel, Adcom

Summary:
My System : Marantz CD67SE, Anthem Pre1L, Anthem Amp1, PSB Stratus MiniThe Pre 1L are very natural sounding preamp.
It adds nothing to music. Very fast and musical.
Great pre, even better if team up with Anthem Amp1.