For anyone looking for a reference quality tube preamp that has amazing tone and drive while being as quiet as a solid state preamp, here it is...and for a mid-fi price. This PB101 is in perfect operational shape and except for a small superficial chip on the underside of the volume control is in outstanding physical appearance. I have upgraded the rectifier to the Shuguang 274 from the Tubestore (highly recommended for this pre) and the 6sn7's were upgraded to all NOS Sylvanias purchased from Jim Sautter(the most knowledgeable and reputable tube guy I know). I am only selling because my dac has high gain with internal volume control (Lampizator) and my amps (Thor) are also high gain so putting the pre between them results in minimal movement on the volume dial before reaching reference levels. I had listed it on Audiogon and kept pulling the ad within a few hours due to sellers remorse but I know it really needs a new home. The audio selling market is depressed and I recognize that and I have priced the unit far below it's actual worth. For anyone near Atlanta, you are welcome to put it in your system and I would encourage head to head comparisons with any preamp...period. If you are looking to sell your $20,000 preamp and put some money back in your pocket, come compare the Melody to your preamp. The preamp is massively overbuilt and should be something you will hand down to your children and they will hand down to their children. Feel free to call with questions. David(404)788-7708. Again, auditions are welcome and local pickup is always preferred. I consider my listed price ($2750) a giveaway and will hang on to it for a rainy day rather than drop the price...It is too special to collect dust though so someone should enjoy it.
