Price Paid:  $0.00 from Retailer

Summary:
All I can say about this piece is WOWEEE! I never thought of myself as a tube equipment type, up to this point I had only experience with SS equipment. I currently run a pair of B&W 804s on a Krell 250 amp and a Rotel processor. Since adding a Richard Gray 600S the Rotel began to sound a little edgy at times, so I auditioned this tube preamp after being told this could help remedy the problem. And remedy it did! It definately rounded out the sound and brought a nice front to back dimension to most performances. Does not quite have the in your face bass slam that 100% SS will offer, but it creeps around and hits with a pleasing authority nonetheless. As this thing warmed up, the element of sounds that really surprised me was the voices, mids, and high tones, it was like having a new set of speakers in my room. I only wish I had added this sooner than I did.

Strengths:
Open mid range, which allows vocals and tones to poor through into your listening area with the beauty and caress of a warm ocean breeze. Complimented by the most transparent highs I have ever heard and finishing with a velvety and very controlled bass. Does wonders for Jazz music, classical, easy listening and live performances. A++++. Rock and roll still sounds good, but best on a straight SS system.

Weaknesses:
Some rock recordings can sound mixed up. Warranty stinks.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel 976 processor.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 from Denver Audio Designs

Summary:
For the money, this is a great preamp in the right system (this is important). The build quality is exemplary. The optional silver face plate is much more attractive than the black one. Although there's no getting around the rather ugly big black knobs for volume and source selection. A great feature is the home theater pass through, which works perfectly. I ultimately was disappointed with this preamp, however. On the plus side, it is very clean, dynamic, with pretty decent bass for a tube preamp in this price range. However, I found overall the preamp tended to sound a little too forward and a touch bright/glarey in the upper range. It has a lovely tonality in the upper mids down, but certainly no extra warmth in the lower mids that you'd expect from a tube piece. So, ultimately a somewhat robust, forward, very clean and a touch bright, gleaming sound, and a touch weak in the bass department dictates that very careful system matching needs to be observed with this unit. Don't expect this unit to warm up your system for you, it won't. However, it remains clean and robust. It's certainly not laid back! And the build quality is excellent, right down to the RCA connectors on the back. Oh, also, I really missed some kind of display for volume. You don't get any kind of display with this unit. I did like it better than it's more expensive brother, the 5.5. While the 5.5 was even more dynamic and improved in the bass, it wasn't as sweet in the upper mids (violins are quite lovely with the 2.5). I must also add that the output tubes in both channels went bad in the first six months (I bought it new). But VTL replaced them no question, and Denver Audio Designs provided the best service imaginable.

Strengths:
Clean, dynamic sound. Excellent build quality. Fairly sweet and refined in the violin/trumpet range.

Weaknesses:
A bit forward, a touch bright/glarey, a bit weak in the low bass. Tubes went bad too soon.

Similar Products Used:
Krell KRC3, BAT VK3i

Price Paid:  $1400.00

Summary:
thisis a superb player I couldnt belive how great thi prem souded.the soundstage was huge wide and deep.the images were very dimensional.the bass was extended firm and deep.a sublimely smooth but uncolored midrange provides the basis for musical experiences you wish never end.equally impressive are the rock solid imaging and deep soundstage tha provide uparalleled musical presens. bottom line this pre-amp is OUTSTANDING. this is a superb player.i couldnt believe

Strengths:
soundstage,detail,bass

Price Paid:  $1400.00

Summary:
This is a very good pre-amp in my opinion, like Sonic Frontiers and Audio Research, it''s not necessarily very "tubey" sounding. It give u the transparency, liquidity and 3-D imaging of tubes but managed to maintain high level of resolution and clarity. Try avoid partnering with lean sounding cables and equipments. If u have no choice, perhaps u may wish to roll the tubes.

Strengths:
Liquid, smooth and transparent. Very good level of clarity and details for tube gear. Remote control is nice to have.

Weaknesses:
Sound is slightly on the lean side, would prefer slightly more body and bloom.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Sound By Singer

Summary:
The 2.5 takes the "edge" off average digital recordings and makes the presentation more relaxed on all digital recordings. It has a robust low-end and a very natural mid-band. I was surprised at the lack of tube noise - this piece is very quiet! This unit looks, feels and performs like a piece that costs double or triple its price. Highly recommended to someone who wants to get into tubes for their warm and natural abilities without the tube hassles.

Strengths:
Serious build quality, well-made remote control, best RCA's I have ever seen, very warm natural sound without the CJ colorations, well formed, deep and extended bass and very little noise or tube rush - pretty quiet for a tube preamp. This unit looks and feels like a more expensive piece!

Weaknesses:
The well-made remote only has volume and mute - not a show stopper.

Similar Products Used:
BAT, Krell, McCormack, Joule Electra