tom_hankins

hes not sure on price yet. He did say it has about 50 hours on it so I'm thinking that the 32 blackgates in it are not close to opening up yet. Not sure how special the treatment is. But he did me a big favor kowing my family is in for T-day and I wanted to have my system sounding better than with MF preamp. Anyway since I am at the 7 month mark on the maestro and I already dropped big $$$ on the SDS and SDS-XLR, maybe that bought me a solid from Mikhail. I talked to him this evening about opening up the treble on them if they go into prodution and he said no problem. Mikhail as absolutly nailed the midrange on this pre. I have owned and auditions a bunch of pres in my system over the last 2 years and this is at least as good if not the best I have heard the midrange sound in this system. Prices ranged from $4-14K on the others. My favorites being the SDS-XLR, VTL 7.5, and Ayre K-1xe.

Just what you need is another headphone......probably not quite as good as 3-4 of the phones you have now? Its a sickness..

it is a 100 position stepped. I'm suprised how nice this thing sounds. I wonder what they cost? The only thing missing between this and the big $$$ preamps is a little dynamics and its a little soft on top. It has a really nice midrange and just the right amount of bloom in it. Soundtage is deep and wide. Not sure how much its been used. Might open up some more in a few days? I cant wait for my Maestro though!

So the preorder price is 999.00? I didnt think I would get anymore headphones. But the stand next to my bed is suddenly looking very empty.

I emailed them to you anyway. the remote is normal little plasitc job. it does volume, input, mute and mono.

Are they not showing up? Or just not enlarging? I am getting them fine. PM me your email address and I will email the copies and you can post them if you want.

I attached some pics. I am not taking the system apart to take pictures of the preamp. When it comes out and the Maestro goes in. Maybe then.

Well Mikhail told me I would have some kind of balanced preamp as a loaner if my Maestro was not done before turkey-day. I get home today and here's a box with the Transparency SS balanced preamp in it. It detroys the Musical Fidelity cold out of the box. just so much more of everything. Not on the level of my Ayre K-1xe, but close. Not quite the detail or air in the top end. Better bass, and midrange is a little fuller with the SP. Overall a very smooth and relaxed preamp. A little soft on top, awesome midrange, and great bass. I can live with this until my Maestro gets here. Some photos in system and the mandatory vinyl shot. Photos attached of: The current system... Preamp Turntable

I bow to you, my audio hero...

Make sure and leave some room for when you go ahead and get the matching sub.

Great find! My wife and I still have one pr. of the Large Advents boxed up in the basement. Gave one pr. away. AAAAHHHHHH the good old days, stacked Advents.

You better not let my wife Lyra hear that. She brings a pr. to every concert. Lyra....Should I bring the glasses? tom...No we dont need them. Lyra...I'll bring them, just in case. Tom...Whatever. Tom...(ten minutes into the concert) Hey Lyra, let me see those glasses. Lyra...I knew it. Tom....Whatever.. People behind us...Shutup!

Until I heard the 2002 with the matching amp, my feelings mirrored yours about them. I still like others more than them but with the HA2002 amp I heard them at a much higher level than any time before. The L3000 has grown on me. At first I thought it was so-so but after alot of listening sessions with several amps I think it is upper echelon. It too sounds very nice with its matching amp.

I think you were dead on. LOL

I love the bass on Patricia Barbers "Shes a lady" On the modern cool album. Congrats, and have a blast!

Wait there it is....... My wife has been keeping an eye on it for me.

Where can I pick up one of these limits? I seem to have lost mine.

I'd like to hear some more detailed opinions of how the clones sound with the amp compared to other systems at the meet.

Thats my favorite seats.

Left over Lasagna..... The Breakfast of champions!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We bought what would normally be considered lousey tickets for this one. Third row slightly off center. Got them because we have seen Miss Josefowicz before and want to see her play up close. It was really nice. And it was the first time I got to see the conductors face too. They are very animated up close. I will get these type seats from now on when there is a soloist I like.

There is a little info in the "Industry News" section of the new TAS Says the preamp, the 840e will run $1599.00 and the (200 wpc) amplifier 840W $2399.00.

The sacd is also very nice.

Thanks for the info. I will start hunting down some of the recordings you have mentioned.